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.
Original Language Analysis
ὧν
Whose
G3739
ὧν
Whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρες
are the fathers
G3962
πατέρες
are the fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
3 of 21
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
5 of 21
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ὧν
Whose
G3739
ὧν
Whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
as concerning
G2596
κατὰ
as concerning
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
10 of 21
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
σάρκα·
the flesh
G4561
σάρκα·
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
11 of 21
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
is over
G1909
ἐπὶ
is over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
18 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 1:25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.1 John 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.John 10:30I and my Father are one.Romans 1:3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.Isaiah 11:1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:Revelation 22:16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Psalms 106:48Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
Historical Context
Christ's Davidic descent was crucial for messianic claims (Matthew 1:1, Luke 3:23-38). Yet early Christian confession insisted Jesus was more than David's son—he is David's Lord (Matthew 22:41-46). Paul's doxology affirms full deity while acknowledging Israel's unique role in salvation history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's dual nature (God and man, Jewish flesh and divine essence) fulfill covenant promises?
- Why is Christ's deity essential to Paul's grief over Israel's unbelief?
- What does it mean that Christ is 'over all'—what is excluded from his sovereignty?
Analysis & Commentary
Whose are the fathers—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the patriarchs to whom promises were made. And of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came (ex hōn ho Christos to kata sarka, ἐξ ὧν ὁ Χριστὸς τὸ κατὰ σάρκα)—the crowning privilege: Messiah's human lineage traces to Israel. Yet Paul again qualifies: kata sarka, 'according to the flesh'—Christ's human nature derives from Israel, but there's more.
Who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen—this climactic phrase affirms Christ's deity. The grammar allows 'God blessed forever' as independent doxology or descriptive of Christ. Context favors the latter: Christ is ho ōn epi pantōn theos (ὁ ὢν ἐπὶ πάντων θεός), 'the one being over all, God.' Paul's grief makes sense only if Israel rejected one who is himself God incarnate. Mere prophet-rejection wouldn't warrant such anguish.