But this came by works that excluded the atonement of Christ. This, as we have seen, was the righteousness sought by the Jews. But Israel, following after a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Here we see the Jews seeking a righteousness that excluded the one that saves. The one sought by them came by works, while the one that saves comes by faith in Christ.
Faith is reckoned for righteousness.
Faith and works, as principals of justification, are, for a good reason, opposed. It can be seen, therefore, that a false doctrine of justification is as effective an enemy of Christ as irreligion. If the Jews, like the Gentiles, had not been seeking righteousness, they would have, no doubt, accepted the divine righteousness as did the Gentiles. The Gentiles knew they were ungodly and in need of a Savior. They, therefore, accepted him.