保罗在罗马书第九章最后说，那本来不追求义的外邦人，因信耶稣基督而得着了律法的义，但以色列人追求律法的义，反而得不着律法的义，原因就是因为他们不凭着信心求，只凭着行为求。神曾在旧约里说他将在锡安放一块绊脚的石头，这块石头在一些人看来将是一种冒犯，但信靠他的人必不会失望。耶稣就是神在锡安放的那块石头，他的十字架冒犯了一些人，绊倒了他们，因为他们不信耶稣在十字架上担当了他们的罪。
罗9:27 以赛亚指着以色列人喊着说、『以色列人虽多如海沙、得救的不过是剩下的余数．
Isaiah cries concerning Israel, "If the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant who will be saved;
罗9:30 这样、我们可说甚么呢．那本来不追求义的外邦人、反得了义、就是因信而得的义．
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn't follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith;
罗9:31 但以色列人追求律法的义、反得不着律法的义。
but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn't arrive at the law of righteousness.
罗9:32 这是甚么缘故呢．是因为他们不凭着信心求、只凭着行为求．他们正跌在那绊脚石上．
Why? Because they didn't seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone;
罗9:33 就如经上所记、『我在锡安放一块绊脚的石头、跌人的盘石．信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。』
even as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed."
