Romans 9:1-5
Proper 13A
1 I am speaking the truthA in ChristB—I am not lying;C my conscienceD confirmsE it by the HolyF SpiritG—
A “truth” = aletheia. From a (not, without) + lanthano (unnoticed, concealed). Truth is literally that which is not or cannot be concealed. This word covers more than the sense of true versus false. It spoke of truth as that which corresponds to reality – reality as opposed to illusion. Thus, it includes, sincerity, straightforwardness, and reality itself.
B “Christ” = christos. From chrio (consecrate by anointing with oil; often done for prophets, priests, or kings). Literally, the anointed one, Christ. The Greek word for Messiah.
C “lying” = pseudomai. 12x in NT. From pseudo (to lie or falsify). This is to lie or falsify – whether outright or by misleading.
D “conscience” = suneidesis. From suneidon (to see together and so know, realize, consider, be conscious of); {from sun (with, together with) + eidon (shape, appearance, kind; something observable; form in a literal or figurative sense); from eido (to know, remember, perceive – to see and so understand)}. This is properly to know together. The conscience, found in all, is a moral and spiritual capacity granted by God so that we can understand together what is good and right.
E “confirms” = summatureo. 3x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + martureo (to bear witness, testify, give evidence; to testify in a literal or figurative sense); from martus (a witness whether having heard or seen something; witness literally, judicially, or figuratively; by analogy, a martyr). This is to testify together with, to corroborate using evidence.
F “Holy” = hagios. From hagnos (holy, sacred, pure ethically, ritually, or ceremonially; prepared for worship, chaste, unadulterated, pure to the core; undefiled by sin; figurative for innocent, modest, perfect). God is totally different from humanity and thus set apart. That which is consecrated to worship God (elements of worship) or to serve God (as the saints) are holy because they are now set apart for God’s purposes. Holy because important to God. This is sacred physically, pure. It can be morally blameless or ceremonially consecrated.
G “Spirit” = pneuma. From pneo (to blow, breath, breathe hard). This is wind, breath, or ghost. A breeze or a blast or air, a breath. Figuratively used for a spirit, the human soul or part of us that is rational. It is also used supernaturally for angels, demons, God, and the Holy Spirit. This is where pneumonia comes from.
2 I have great sorrowH, I and unceasingJ anguishK in my heart.L
H “sorrow” = lupe. 16x in NT. This is pain, whether physical or mental. It includes grief, sorrow, distress, or a heavy heart.
I Literally “that grief to me is great.”
J “unceasing” = adialeiptos. 2x in NT. From a (not, without) + dialeipo (to give up, cease, stop in the middle); {from dia (through, because of, across, thoroughly) + leipo (to leave behind, remain, lack, abandon, fall behind while racing)}. This is continual as not having unneeded gaps in the middle. It is constantly, unceasing, or incessant. It can imply permanent.
K “anguish” = odune. 2x in NT. Perhaps from duno (to enter, sink into; can also be set like the sun); from duo (to sink). This is pain, distress, or anguish, whether physical or mental.
L “heart” = kardia. Literally the heart, but figuratively mind, character, inner self, will, intention, thoughts, feelings. Also, the center of something. The word heart is only used figuratively in the Old and New Testaments. This is where “cardiac” comes from.
3 For I could wishM that I myself were accursedN and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people,O my kindredP according to the flesh.Q
M “wish” = euchomai. 7x in NT. This is to wish, make a request, or pray.
N “accursed” = anathema. 6x in NT. From anatithemi (to set up or fort, communicate, submit, declare); {from ana (up, again, back, among, anew) + tithemi (to put, place, set, fix, establish in a literal or figurative sense; properly, this is placing something in a passive or horizontal position)}. This is solemn, anathema, or accursed. From its root, it is a thing that is laid up, such as a votive offering or something one pledges to God. So, it can be a divine curse or a divine ban, something or someone that is cast out.
O “people” = adelphos. From a (with, community, fellowship) + delphus (womb). This is a brother in a literal or figurative sense. It is also used of another member of the Church.
P “kindred” = suggenes. 12x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + genos (family, offspring, kin – in a literal or figurative sense); from ginomai (to come into being, to happen, become, be born; to emerge from one state or condition to another; this is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth)}. This is relative, kinsman, offspring, or otherwise someone from the same stock. It can also be used for a fellow countryman.
Q “flesh” = sarx. May be from saroo (to sweep, cleanse by sweeping); from sairo (to brush off). This is flesh, the body, human nature, materiality, kindred. Flesh is not always evil in scripture (as when it refers to Jesus taking on a human body). However, it is generally used in a negative way for actions made selfishly and not through faith. This can mean animal flesh, i.e. meat, or refer to body in contrast to soul/spirit. Flesh can be a way of talking about how things or people are related or talking about human frailty (physical or moral).
4 They are Israelites,R and to them belong the adoption,S the glory,T the covenants,U the giving of the law,V the worship,W and the promises;X
R “Israelites” = Israelites. 9x in NT. From Israel (Israel, the people an land); from Hebrew Yisrael (God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring); {from sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + el (God or god)}. This is Israel the people and the land. This is Israelite in a literal or figurative sense.
S “adoption” = huiothesia. Related to “accursed” in v3. 5x in NT. From huios (son, descendant; a son whether natural born or adopted; also used figuratively for other forms of kinship) + tithemi (see note N above). This is making a son, adoption.
T “glory” = doxa. From dokeo (to have an opinion, seem, appear, suppose; a personal judgment; to think); from dokos (opinion). This is literally something that evokes a good opinion – something that connects to our understanding of intrinsic worth. The ultimate expression of this is, of course, God and God’s manifestation. So, this is opinion, honor, and dignity, but also praise, glory, renown, and worship.
U “covenants” = diatheke. Related to “accursed” in v3 & “adoption” in v4. From diatithemi (to place separately – to make a will or covenant; this is arranging ahead of time how things will be accomplished); {from dia (through, because of, across, thoroughly) + tithemi (see note N above)}. This is a will, covenant, contract, or agreement.
V “giving of the law” = nomothesia. Related to “accursed” in v3 & “adoption” and “covenants” in v4. 1x in NT. From nomothetes (lawgiver or legislator); {from nomos (what is assigned – usage, law, custom, principle; used for the law in general or of God’s law; sometimes used to refer to the first five books of the Bible or the entire Old Testament; also used to refer to theology or the practice and tradition of interpreting and implementing the law of God); {from nemo (to parcel out, assign)} + tithemi (see note N above)}. This is will, covenant, agreement, or testament. This is legislation, lawgiving, or, specifically, when God gave the Law to Moses.
W “worship” = latreia. 5x in NT. From latreuo (giving good, technical service because qualified or equipped to do so; to serve, minister, worship, or give homage); from latris (a hired servant; someone who is qualified to perform a technical task). This is service, divine worship, ministering to God.
X “promises” = epaggelia. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + aggello (to announce, report); {from aggelos (angel, messenger); probably from ago (to lead, bring, carry, guide, drive)}. This is a summons, promise, or message. It is a formal promise that is officially sanctioned. In the New Testament, this usually refers to a promise made in the Old Testament.
5 to them belong the patriarchs,Y and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah,Z who is over all, GodAA blessedBB forever.CC Amen.DD
Y “patriarchs” = pater. This is father in a literal or figurative sense. Could be elder, senior, ancestor, originator, or patriarch.
Z “Messiah” = christos. Same as “Christ” in v1. See note B above.
AA “God” = theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
BB “blessed” = eulogetos. 8x in NT. From eulogeo (speaking well of – speaking so that the other is benefited; praise, bless, thank, or call for a blessing); {from eu (good, well, well done, rightly) + logos (word, statement, speech, analogy; a word that carries an idea or expresses a thought, a saying; a person with a message or reasoning laid out in words; by implication, a topic, line of reasoning, or a motive; can be used for a divine utterance or as Word – Christ); {from lego (to speak, tell, mention)}}. This is blessed, spoken well of, to be praiseworthy, or adorable. This is the root that “eulogy” comes from.
CC “forever” = eis + ho + aion. Literally “to the ages.” Aion is from the same as aei (ever, always, unceasingly, perpetually; on every occasion). This is an age, cycle of time, course, continued duration. It is also used to describe the eternal or forever. This is the word used to discuss the present age or the messianic age.
DD “amen” = amen. From Hebrew amen (verily, truly, amen, truth, so be it, faithfulness); from aman (to believe, endure, fulfill, confirm, support, be faithful, put one’s trust in, be steadfast. Figuratively, this is to be firm, steadfast, or faithful, trusting, believing, being permanent, morally solid). This word is literally firmness, but figuratively fidelity, faithfulness, honesty, responsibility, trust, truth, steadfastness. Properly, it is to be sure, certain, or firm. This is a word of emphasis indicating that something crucial follows.
Image credit: “Moses with the Tablets” at the Temple de Hirsch Sinai in Seattle, Washington, 1908.