Romans 9:32

 

Romans 9:32

(KJV) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

(1611 KJV) Wherefore? because they sought it, not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law: for they stumbled at that stumbling stone,

(1587 Geneva Bible) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the workes of the Lawe: for they haue stumbled at the stumbling stone,

(1526 Tyndale) And wherfore? Because they sought it not by fath: but as it were by the workes of the lawe. For they have stombled at the stomblynge stone.

 

Counterfeit Versions

(1881 RV) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;

(1901 ASV) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;

(CSB) Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.

(NIV) Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."

(NASV) Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

(THE MESSAGE) How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their "God projects" that they didn't notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling.

(AMP) For what reason? Because [they pursued it] not through faith, relying [instead] on the merit of their works [they did not depend on faith but on what they could do]. They have stumbled over the Stumbling Stone.

(NLT) Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path.

(ESV) Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

(NCV) because they tried to make themselves right by the things they did instead of trusting in God to make them right. They stumbled over the stone that causes people to stumble.

(HCSB) Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.

(NIRV) Why not? Because they didn't look for it by faith. They tried to get it by working for it. They tripped over the stone that causes people to trip and fall.

(RSV) Why? Because they did not pursue it through faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

(NAB-Roman Catholic) Why not? Because they did it not by faith, but as if it could be done by works. They stumbled over the stone that causes stumbling,

(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) For what reason? Because he pursued it, not by faith, but as by works. They stumbled on the “stone of stumbling”

 

Textus Receptus - Traditional Text

δια τι οτι ουκ εκ πιστεως αλλ ως εξ εργων νομου προσεκοψαν γαρ τω λιθω του προσκομματος

 

Hort-Westcott - Traditional Text

δια τι οτι ουκ εκ πιστεως αλλ ως εξ εργων προσεκοψαν τω λιθω του προσκομματος

 

Corrupted Manuscripts

This verse is corrupted in the following manuscripts:

Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Nineteenth Century Counterfeit
A 02 - Alexandrinus - Fifth century

B 03 - Vaticanus - Fourth century

P 46 - circa 200 AD

 

Manuscripts which agree with the Textus Receptus for this verse

Byzantine Text (450-1450 A.D.)

Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Nineteenth Century Counterfeit (corrected)
D 06 - Paris: Claromontanus - Sixth century

K 018 - Ninth century

L 020 - Ninth century

P 025 - Ninth century

Psi 044 - Eight/Ninth/ century

33 (Minuscule) - Ninth Century

 

Published Critical Greek Texts with Corruptions

Omit “of the law”

Lachmann, Karl - 1842

Tischendorf, Constantine - 1869

Tregelles, Samuel - 1857

Alford, Henry - 1849 revised in 1871 (in brackets or margin)

Wordsworth, Christopher - 1856 revised in 1870

Westcott and Hort - 1881

Nestle - 1927 as revised in seventeenth edition in 1941

Nestle-Aland - 1979 - Twenty Sixth Edition

Nestle-Aland - 1993 - Twenty Seventh Edition

United Bible Societies - 1983 - Fourth Edition

 

Affected Teaching

The modern versions leave out a very important piece of information “of the law.” The argument of grace versus law for salvation is a major theme in the New Testament. When the portion “of the law” is omitted, it could cause confusion about the works that a Christian does after salvation. (Eph 2:10 KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Salvation can never be attained by keeping the law. Good works are a part of the responsibility of those who have already become saved as we read in Ephesians 2:10. Once again the King James gives us the specific truth.

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