John Calvin Commentary Romans 10:3

"For being ignorant of God`s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." — Romans 10:3 (ASV)

For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, etc. See how they went astray through thoughtless zeal! For they sought to set up a righteousness of their own, and this foolish confidence proceeded from their ignorance of God’s righteousness.

Notice the contrast between the righteousness of God and that of men. We first see that they are opposed to one another as things wholly contrary and cannot stand together. Therefore, it follows that God’s righteousness is subverted as soon as men set up their own.

Again, as there is a correspondence between the things contrasted, the righteousness of God is undoubtedly His gift; and in like manner, the righteousness of men is that which they derive from themselves or believe that they bring before God. Therefore, whoever seeks to be justified through himself does not submit to God’s righteousness.

For the first step towards obtaining the righteousness of God is to renounce our own righteousness. For why is it that we seek righteousness from another, unless necessity constrains us?

We have already stated in another place how men put on the righteousness of God by faith; that is, when the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them. But Paul grievously dishonors the pride by which hypocrites are inflated when they cover it with the specious mask of zeal; for he says that all such, by shaking off, as it were, the yoke, are adverse to and rebel against the righteousness of God.