Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 9:4-5

"who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen." — Romans 9:4-5 (ASV)

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; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

What dignity God has put upon ancient Israel! How favored they were, far beyond any of us, in these particulars! They had the light when the rest of the world was in darkness. Theirs was the law, and theirs were the covenant promises. Above all, it was from them that Christ came. Our Saviour was a Jew. Forever must that people be held in respectful honour, and we must pray for their salvation.

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; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

This was what troubled the apostle so much concerning the Jews, that they should have such extraordinary privileges, and yet should be cast away; most of all, that Jesus Christ, the Saviour of men, should be of their race, bone of their bone, flesh of their flesh, and yet they would not receive him, or be saved by him. Oh, the terrible hardness of the human heart; and what poor things the richest privileges are unless the grace of God goes with them to give us the inner secret of true faith in Christ!

Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises: Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

The apostle never omits an opportunity to magnify his Master. Though it did not seem to be called for by the immediate subject at hand, yet he must insert a doxology to the name of Jesus.

Who is over all; God blessed for ever. Amen. How any believers in Scripture ever come to be disbelievers in the Deity of Christ is altogether astounding. If there is anything taught in the Word of God, it is assuredly that Paul comforts himself to some extent with the doctrine of election, which is fully addressed in this chapter. My subject leads me to read again in the 10th chapter.