1I am speaking the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit — [9:2] that I have great grief and unceasing anguish in my heart. [9:3] For I could wish that I myself were devoted to destruction — cut off from Christ — for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh, [9:4] who are Israelites. Theirs is the divine adoption as sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the temple service, and the promises; [9:5] theirs are the patriarchs, and from them came the Christ according to the flesh — who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
ROM 9:1-5
Paulʼs Concern for the Jews
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman world, adoption was a formal legal act that conferred full inheritance rights and familial identity. Paul’s reference to Israel’s divine adoption would resonate with Roman listeners familiar with this practice, emphasizing Israel’s privileged status. The term , often associated with destruction or separation, underscores Paul’s willingness to be cut off from Christ for his Jewish kin, a dramatic expression of solidarity. The (covenants) evoke Israel’s unique relationship with God, understood through the lens of Greco-Roman testamentary practices as unilateral divine promises. , referring to religious service, highlights Israel’s role in worshiping God through rituals and sacrifices. Paul’s grief reflects the tension between Israel’s covenantal privileges and their rejection of Christ, a central issue in his mission to both Jews and Gentiles. His mention of the patriarchs and Christ’s lineage grounds his argument in Israel’s historical and theological identity.
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How other translations render this
ROM 9:1
- KJV
- I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
- BSB
- I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.
- Koinōnos
- I am speaking the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience bearing witness with me in the Holy Spirit —
ROM 9:2
- KJV
- That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
- BSB
- I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
- Koinōnos
- that I have great grief and unceasing anguish in my heart.
ROM 9:3
- KJV
- For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
- BSB
- For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,
- Koinōnos
- For I could wish that I myself were devoted to destruction — cut off from Christ — for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
ROM 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;
- BSB
- the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.
- Koinōnos
- who are Israelites. Theirs is the divine adoption as sons, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the temple service, and the promises;
ROM 9:5
- KJV
- Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
- BSB
- Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.
- Koinōnos
- theirs are the patriarchs, and from them came the Christ according to the flesh — who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ROM 9:3
- a curse:The word translated 'a curse' here refers to something or someone devoted to destruction or set apart for divine judgment, often with the sense of being utterly separated from God.
ROM 9:4
- divine adoption as sons:The term used here for 'divine adoption as sons' emphasizes the legal and relational act of being formally placed into the status and rights of a son, rather than merely being taken in.
- covenants:The word translated 'covenants' often refers to a solemn agreement or testament, frequently with the sense of a binding disposition or will, especially in a religious context.
- service:The word translated 'service' specifically denotes religious service or worship, often involving ritual acts performed for God, rather than general labor or assistance.