John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:5
Whose are the fathers ,.... Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; for, according to the F1 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 16. 2. & Gloss. in ib. Jewish writers, "they call none in Israel אבות , "fathers", but three, and they are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and they call none "mothers" but four, and they are, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah:' their descent from these fathers was a privilege, though they valued themselves too highly upon it; but what was the crown and glory of all, and which they... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:4
Who are Israelites ,.... Which were their national name, as descended from Jacob, whose name was Israel; and it was accounted a very honourable one; see Philemon 3:5 ; and the very name they bore gave the apostle some concern that they should be cut off; and then he proceeds to enumerate the several distinguishing favours and privileges they had been partakers of: to whom pertaineth the adoption ; not that special adoption, which springs from eternal predestination, is a blessing of... read more