Just as he did in Romans 9:14, Paul again begins a new section of his argument in Romans 9:30 with the exclamation, What shall we say then?
This time this is not followed up by another question, however, but by an immediate answer, namely that the Gentiles attained righteousness without even pursuing it. The follow-up question implied here was integral to the preceding passage (Romans 9:24–29) and could be formulated as follows:
How is it possible that the calling to the Gentiles can proceed now (Romans 9:24–26), even while many Jews continue in their unbelief (Romans 9:27–29)?
This question is understandable, especially given that the Gentiles, being outside the law, did not even strive to be righteous in the eyes of the God of Israel. How then can God now adopt Gentiles as his children? The answer is simple. This happens by means of their faith in the Messiah of Israel, who is their righteousness: Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith
(Romans 9:30).1
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;