What are the eight privileges God gave to Israel in Romans 9:4?
Romans 9:4-5 identifies eight privileges pertaining to Israel: the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of the tabernacle and temple, the promises, the fathers, and Christ coming according to the flesh. These positioned Israel uniquely in God's program.
Les teaches that Romans 9:4-5 lists eight privileges God gave to Israel. He numbers them as: first, the adoption; second, the glory; third, the covenants; fourth, the giving of the law; fifth, the service or operation of the tabernacle and temple; sixth, the promises; seventh, the fathers; and eighth, of whom concerning the flesh Christ came. Regarding adoption, Les explains that the Greek word means to be placed as a full son—a positional word, not primarily a legal term. Israel was positioned as God's son nationally, and these privileges uniquely marked them as God's covenant people.
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
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;
More Questions
What are the eight privileges that Paul lists for Israel in Romans 9:4?
In Romans 9:4 (and the following verse) Paul gives a list of eight privileges belonging to Israel: adoption, glory, covenants, the giving of the law, the service or operation of the tabernacle and temple, the promises, the fathers, and Christ's coming in the flesh.