Why did the Gentiles attain righteousness even though they never pursued it?
The Gentiles attained righteousness because they had faith. Paul explains that the Gentiles, though not pursuing righteousness, heard Paul's preaching and believed it, while Israel sought righteousness by the law but failed because they did not seek it by faith. This is why faith, not law, is the issue.
Les explains that these Gentiles came out of bleak, dark, godless idolatry and paganism and stepped into the glorious light of God's grace, something Israel could never understand. Paul again reminds them that the Gentiles had not been following after righteousness, but they attained it because they had faith. Israel, however, followed after the law of righteousness and did not attain to the law of righteousness because they sought it not by faith. Les says that is what the Jew even today cannot comprehend. He stresses two absolutes: without the shedding of blood there is no remission, and without faith it is impossible to please Him. Israel's problem was that they could not believe what God said; but when these Gentiles heard the Apostle Paul preaching, they could believe it, and Israel just shook their head.
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.