How to Understand the Eulogy in Rom 9:5c? Cover Image

Jak rozumět eulogii v Řím 9,5c?
How to Understand the Eulogy in Rom 9:5c?

Author(s): Petr Mareček
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Biblical studies
Published by: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
Keywords: Biblical Exegesis; New Testament; Romans; Apostle Paul; Eulogy; God

Summary/Abstract: The text Rom 9:5 is referred to as crux interpretum in exegetical studies and is considered one of the most difficult exegetical passages in the Letter to the Romans. In the history of exegesis, various ways of interpreting the eulogy in Rom 9:5c have been proposed. In contemporary exegesis, the debate is primarily whether the eulogy is to be applied to Christ or to God. It has to be acknowledged that the interpretation of Rom 9:5c remains a difficult question to solve. Several points of view speak for the fact that ὁ ὢν does not refer back to ὁ Χριστός in Rom 9:5b but introduces a new sentence and that the eulogy accordingly is not referring to Christ, but to God (cf. Rom 1:25; 11,33–36). After enumerating the extraordinary privileges the chosen people have received from God, culminating in the gift of the Messiah (Rom 9:4b–5b), Paul pronounces a eulogy to the God who is “above all” (Rom 9:5c), trusting that he is able to provide salvation to the non Christian members of Israel because his gifts and his calling are irrevocable (Rom 11:29).

  • Issue Year: XXIV/2022
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 1-19
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Czech