Romans 9 4

Romans 9:4 kjv

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;

Romans 9:4 nkjv

who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;

Romans 9:4 niv

the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

Romans 9:4 esv

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.

Romans 9:4 nlt

They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God's adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises.

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 4 Meaning

The verse highlights the unique spiritual heritage of Israel. It states that adoption as sons, the glory of God dwelling among them, the covenants established, the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises are all rightfully theirs. This inheritance is rooted in their history as God's chosen people.

Romans 9 4 Context

In Romans 9, Paul is addressing the apparent contradiction of God's faithfulness to Israel given that many Israelites did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. He asserts that not all who are physically descended from Israel are true Israelites in God's eyes. This passage enumerates the unique privileges and blessings God bestowed upon the nation of Israel, establishing their special status as His chosen people. Paul uses these historical and covenantal advantages to frame his argument about God's sovereign election. The chapter is a deep dive into God's plan for both Israel and the Gentiles within the broader salvation history.

Romans 9 4 Word Analysis

• οἱ (hoi): "The" (plural definite article) - refers to the definite group of people being discussed.

• vioὶ (huioi): "sons" (nominative plural masculine noun from huios) - denotes not just biological offspring but adopted children, implying a special relationship and inheritance. In Scripture, it often signifies those in a protected, favored, and authoritative position.

• ὑιοθεσία (huiothesia): "adoption" (nominative singular feminine noun) - signifies the legal and formal acceptance into a family with all its rights and privileges, particularly emphasizing the divine aspect of adoption into God's family.

• καὶ (kai): "and" (conjunction) - connects distinct clauses or items in a list, showing the summation of Israel's privileges.

• ἡ (hē): "the" (feminine singular definite article).

• δόξα (doxa): "glory" (nominative singular feminine noun) - refers to the radiant presence and manifested splendor of God, particularly His manifest presence in their midst, such as in the Tabernacle and Temple. It speaks of God's honor, majesty, and palpable presence.

• καὶ (kai): "and."

• ἡ (hē): "the" (feminine singular definite article).

• διαθήκαι (diathēkai): "covenants" (nominative plural feminine noun from diathēkē) - refers to the solemn agreements God made with Israel, establishing a unique relationship and laying out terms of blessing and responsibility.

• καὶ (kai): "and."

• ὁ (ho): "the" (masculine singular definite article).

• νόμος (nomos): "law" (nominative singular masculine noun) - signifies the Mosaic Law, the divinely revealed system of statutes, ordinances, and commandments given to Israel.

• καὶ (kai): "and."

• ἡ (hē): "the" (feminine singular definite article).

• λατρεία (latreia): "worship" or "service" (nominative singular feminine noun from latreūō) - refers to the formal religious service, cultic activities, and priestly duties conducted in the sanctuary, all prescribed by God.

• καὶ (kai): "and."

• αἱ (hai): "the" (feminine plural definite article).

• ἐπαγγελίαι (epangeliai): "promises" (nominative plural feminine noun from epangelia) - denotes the specific assurances and future blessings God had guaranteed to the Israelites.

• Group of words (οἱ υἱοί, ἡ υἱοθεσία, ἡ δόξα, αἱ διαθῆκαι, ὁ νόμος, ἡ λατρεία, αἱ ἐπαγγελίαι): This entire sequence represents a list of objective, historical, and salvific privileges. These were outward, tangible, and divinely bestowed advantages that marked Israel as God's special people, distinct from all other nations. They are concrete aspects of the covenant relationship.

Romans 9 4 Bonus Section

The enumeration of these privileges underscores the historical reality of God's particular work with Israel. This specificity is foundational to understanding God's overarching plan of redemption, which encompasses both Jew and Gentile. The use of terms like "adoption" and "glory" points towards a divine relationship characterized by intimacy and visible divine presence, unlike any other nation. The emphasis on "covenants," "law," "worship," and "promises" highlights the structured nature of God's engagement with Israel, setting them apart not just by origin but by divine appointment and revelation. This heritage also forms the backdrop against which the New Covenant is understood, building upon, rather than nullifying, God's faithfulness to His people.

Romans 9 4 Commentary

The verse lists the profound, unique blessings bestowed by God upon the nation of Israel. These include spiritual sonship, the manifestation of God's glory in their midst (the Shekinah), the divine covenants established with them, the gift of the Law as a guide and standard, the system of worship prescribed for them, and the specific promises God made concerning their future and God's dealings with them. These were not mere privileges but signified God's active relationship and salvific plan unfolding through Abraham's lineage. Paul lists them to emphasize that these were unique advantages belonging to Israel, setting them apart and underscoring the weighty responsibility and the profound implications of God's chosen status, even as he moves to discuss election and sovereignty.