What does it mean that whoever believes in him will not be put to shame (Romans 9:33)?

Romans 9:33 says, “As it is written: ‘See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.’” In this passage, the apostle Paul begins by expressing his anguish over the Jews who reject Christ. In verses 30–33, he shows us why. Instead of accepting God’s righteousness by faith, they attempt to earn righteousness through their own works, causing them to stumble over the stumbling stone, which is Christ (verse 33).

In contrast, Paul declares that those who believe in Christ will not be put to shame. The statement is presented as a matter of fact and can be seen as a promise. It signifies that those who trust in Christ for eternal life and are declared righteous by faith will never experience disappointment or disgrace at the end. They will not be ashamed. This assurance in Christ motivates us to remain in Him, unlike pursuing a works-based righteousness, where our confidence relies on our own abilities.

Scripture gives us certainty that whoever believes in Jesus will not be put to shame, and it points to the monumental event of the resurrection. In another of his letters, Paul argues that Christianity would be false if Christ’s resurrection never occurred, and our hope would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:12–20). Evidence for the resurrection abounds, including the conversion of Paul, the radical transformation of the disciples, their willingness to suffer for what they claimed to have seen, and their credible eyewitness testimony.

Our faith in Christ is never misplaced. Those who trust in Him will not be put to shame, for He has won the victory over death and the grave (Revelation 1:18). But various factors can sometimes shake our confidence. These include our own sins and even our lack of spiritual growth. It is easy to lose assurance of salvation after a major failure, and sometimes we make the mistake of the unbelieving Jews in Romans 9, placing hope in our good deeds rather than Christ’s perfect work.

Christians at all stages of spiritual development must be reminded that our hope is firmly anchored in Christ:
Our response to having a secure foundation in Christ should be one of gratitude. Knowing that we will not be put to shame provides motivation to live for God every day in every circumstance. This security doesn’t give us a license to sin but rather empowers us to freely obey God without fear of condemnation from the law.

This security should also motivate us to evangelize the lost. Christ is not just our hope; He is the hope of everyone else as well. It is our responsibility to point others to Christ through our words and actions. Our prayer is that they may not stumble over the Stumbling Stone but instead discover true, life-giving hope.