Why? Because they did not strive for it by faith, but as being by works. For they stumbled against the stone of stumbling;

as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and rock of offence; and he that believeth in him shall not be put to shame."

I say then, Did they stumble in order to fall? God forbid! But by their offence salvation is come to the gentiles to excite them to emulation.