Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 9:32-33

"Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling; even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame." — Romans 9:32-33 (ASV)

Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence:

I say again that there have been great attempts made, with logical dynamite, to blow up this great rock of offence, and to clear away every difficulty from the path of the man who wants to be saved by his own method, and to make everything pleasant all round for him. But against this course of action we bear our continual protest, for it is not according to the mind of God, or the teaching of his Word: As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence.