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.

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.

NASB who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises;

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

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.

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;

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;

What does Romans 9:4 mean?

Paul has declared his great heartbreak that his people by birth, the Jews, have rejected Christ. He has even said he would trade his own place in Christ—if such a thing made sense—in order for them all to come to Christ.

Now Paul begins to list many of the things the Israelites have been given by God, describing why they are so special as a people. He first mentions Israel's adoption as God's children. This appears to be a different adoption than Paul described for Christians in Romans 8. Israel was adopted in a national sense. God described them as his firstborn son in Exodus 4:22.

Also belonging to Israel was "the glory," probably meaning that God had favored Israel by revealing His glory to them, especially during the time of Moses (Exodus 16:10; 24:17). Next, Paul lists the covenants. This would include God's covenant agreements with Abraham (Genesis 15:18) and David (2 Samuel 7:12–16). Then Paul lists the giving of the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 5:1–22), something Paul has written about extensively in Romans.

Next, Paul lists "the worship," meaning God's appointment to Israel of the task of worshiping Him in the temple and through the sacrificial system. This verse concludes with the statement that the promises belong to Israel, as well. These promises include all the things promised to Israel throughout the Old Testament, including the coming of the Messiah.

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Context Summary
Romans 9:1–18 finds Paul heartbroken over the rejection of Christ by his people the Jews. They have been given so much as God's chosen people, and Paul insists that God will keep His promises to Israel. Not everyone born to Israel is truly Israel, though, Paul writes. Specific examples are given to show that God does, in fact, choose those who will receive His blessings. The following passage tackles whether this choice, by God, is fair.

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Chapter Summary
Romans 9 begins with Paul describing his anguish for his people Israel in their rejection of Christ. After describing all the privileges God has given to the Jewish people as a nation, Paul insists that God will keep those promises. However, not every person born to Israel belongs to Israel, he writes. God reserves the right to show mercy to some and not others, as Paul demonstrates from Scripture. God is like a potter who creates some vessels for destruction and others for glory. God has called out His people from both the Gentiles and the Jews to faith in Christ, the stumbling stone.

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