Romans 9:4

In this and the following verse, he rehearseth the privileges and advantages the Jews had from God, above all other nations of the earth; and this he doth to show, that he had good reason to make such a wish, as in the foregoing verse; as also, that what he should declare concerning the Jews, and their ejection, did not proceed from any disrespect or disesteem of them.

Israelites; i.e. the offspring of that holy patriarch Israel: this was the Jews’ first title of honour, that they descended from him, who by God himself was surnamed Israel, or a prince that had power with God, and prevailed, Genesis 32:28.

The adoption; adoption is not here to be understood as before, in Romans 8:15, or as in Ephesians 1:5, and elsewhere. But thereby we must understand the peculiar privilege of the seed of Jacob; that they, of all the nations of the earth, were pitched upon to be nearly related to God, to be his children (as they are called) and his firstborn: see Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 14:1; Jeremiah 31:9,Jeremiah 31:20; Matthew 15:26.

The glory; the ark and the temple; so called, because in them God did manifest his glorious presence, 1 Samuel 4:21,1 Samuel 4:22; Psalms 26:8; Psalms 78:61.

The covenants; some understand by covenants, the tables of the law: see Hebrews 9:4. Others rather understand the covenant made with Abraham, Genesis 15:8; Genesis 17:2,Genesis 17:7; and with the Jewish nation, Exodus 24:7,Exodus 24:8; Exodus 34:27, &c. Circumcision also may be intended, for that is called God’s covenant, Genesis 17:10.

The giving of the law; the judicial, ceremonial, but especially the moral law. This is spoken of as a great privilege, Deuteronomy 4:8,Deuteronomy 4:32. It may refer both to the law itself, and to the circumstances, also, with which the law was given.

The service of God; the true manner of worshipping God, which was a great privilege. Other nations knew there was a God, and that he must be worshipped, but they knew not how; and so they ran into superstition and idolatry.

The promises; of this life, and that to come; particularly of the Messiah, and of the benefits and blessings by him. These are found in Moses and the prophets, and were entailed upon the Jews and their children, Acts 2:39; Ephesians 2:12, till God at last cut off the entail.