Devine Scripture

Romans 9:5

What does Romans 9:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 9:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 9:5 means

Israel’s privileges culminate in this: from them, according to the flesh, came Christ. He is the Messiah in His human lineage, truly sharing Israel’s story. Yet He is also “over all, God blessed for ever,” language that exalts His divine status and universal lordship. This juxtaposition of humanity and deity is the apex of Israel’s honor and the heart of salvation’s story. Paul shows that to reject Christ is to stumble at Israel’s own crowning gift. His Amen seals the truth and gravity of the claim. God’s faithfulness is displayed supremely in sending Christ through Israel for the blessing of the world.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Whose are the fathers, and of whom came Christ in the flesh, who is over all, God, to whom be blessing for ever. So be it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

whose <FI>are<Fi> the fathers, and of whom <FI>is<Fi> the Christ, according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed to the ages. Amen.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Whose are the fathers and of whom is Christ, according to the flesh, who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

whose [are] the fathers; and of whom, as according to flesh, [is] the Christ, who is over all,God blessed for ever. Amen.

Context

Verse 5 completes the listing of Israel’s privileges (vv. 4–5) by pointing to Christ’s descent from them and His exalted status. This heightens the paradox that grieves Paul: Israel produced the Messiah yet largely rejects Him. The question then arises: has God’s word failed? Verse 6 directly answers that concern. The flow moves from privilege (vv. 4–5) to the integrity of God’s promise (vv. 6–13) by distinguishing between ethnic Israel and the true children of promise within Israel.

v.4who 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;

v.5This passage

v.6Butit isnot as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 1:1

    The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

  • Romans 1:3

    concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

  • Jeremiah 23:5

    Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

  • 1 Timothy 6:15

    which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

  • 1 Chronicles 16:36

    Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And all the people said, Amen, and praised Jehovah.

  • Psalms 45:6

    Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

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