Paul opens chapter 9 with a solemn oath:
Romans 9:1 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,…”
He ends the chapter with an equally solemn oath:
Romans 9:5 “Amen”
So, what was he trying to convey?
Romans 9:4 “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;”
1. Adoption pertains to Israel - “Thus says the Lord: ‘Israel is My son, My firstborn’” (
Exodus 4:22)
2. Glory pertains to Israel -
Exodus 16:10; 24:17; 40:34;
I Kings 8:11.)
3. Covenants pertain to Israel. (8, although number 4. may indicate Paul considers Law of Moses as separate.)
4. Giving of the law pertains to Israel.
5. Service of God pertains to Israel - tabernacle and temple worship.
6. Promises pertain to Israel - many promises, but especially the Messiah.
Romans 9:5 “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”
The blessings were included toward Israel, as a nation, because of their respected fathers - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Their final blessing, as a nation, would be their Messiah who received his humanity from them.
He is, therefore, the supreme “over all”, eternally blessed God.
He clarified in these two passages that he was deeply concerned and loved the nation Israel. And while he has to tell them that Moses’ law is over and cannot save them, it doesn’t mean that he and God are not still concerned for the whole nation.
That is why I agree with JFB - “we have here no doxology at all, but a naked statement of fact, that while Christ is "of" the Israelitish nation "as concerning the flesh," He is, in another respect, "God over all, blessed for ever."
Amen!