Rom 9:3-5 | RWP | e4.org | I could wish ( ηυχομην ). Idiomatic imperfect, "I was on the point of wishing." We can see that ευχομα (I do wish) would be wrong to say. Αν ηυχομην would mean that he does not wish (conclusion of second class condition). Αν ηυχομην would be conclusion of fourth class condition and too remote. He is shut up to the imperfect indicative (Robertson, Grammar , p. 886). Anathema ( αναθεμα ). See for this word as distinct from αναθημα (offering) ; . I myself ( αυτος εγω ). Nominative with the infinitive εινα and agreeing with subject of ηυχομην . According to the flesh ( κατα σαρκα ). As distinguished from Paul's Christian brethren.

‏ Romans 9:3-5

I could wish ( ηυχομην ). Idiomatic imperfect, "I was on the point of wishing." We can see that ευχομα (I do wish) would be wrong to say. Αν ηυχομην would mean that he does not wish (conclusion of second class condition). Αν ηυχομην would be conclusion of fourth class condition and too remote. He is shut up to the imperfect indicative (Robertson, Grammar, p. 886).

Anathema ( αναθεμα ). See for this word as distinct from αναθημα (offering) 1Co 12:3; Ga 1:8f. I myself ( αυτος εγω ). Nominative with the infinitive εινα and agreeing with subject of ηυχομην.

According to the flesh ( κατα σαρκα ). As distinguished from Paul's Christian brethren.

Who ( οιτινες ). The very ones who, inasmuch as they.

Israelites ( Ισραηλειτα ). Covenant name of the chosen people.

Whose ( ων ). Predicate genitive of the relative, used also again with ο πατερες. For "the adoption" ( η υιοθεσια ) see 8:15.

The glory ( η δοξα ). The Shekinah Glory of God (3:23) and used of Jesus in Jas 2:1.

The covenants ( α διαθηκα ). Plural because renewed often (Ge 6:18; 9:9; 15:18; 17:2, 7, 9; Ex 2:24).

The giving of the law ( η νομοθεσια ). Old word, here only in N.T., from νομος and τιθημ.

The service ( η λατρεια ). The temple service (Heb 9:1, 6).

The fathers ( ο πατερες ). The patriarchs (Ac 3:13; 7:32).

Of whom ( εξ ων ). Fourth relative clause and here with εξ and the ablative.

Christ ( ο Χριστος ). The Messiah.

As concerning the flesh ( το κατα σαρκα ). Accusative of general reference, "as to the according to the flesh." Paul limits the descent of Jesus from the Jews to his human side as he did in 1:3f.

Who is over all, God blessed for ever ( ο ον επ παντων θεος ευλογητος ). A clear statement of the deity of Christ following the remark about his humanity. This is the natural and the obvious way of punctuating the sentence. To make a full stop after σαρκα (or colon) and start a new sentence for the doxology is very abrupt and awkward. See Ac 20:28; Tit 2:13 for Paul's use of θεος applied to Jesus Christ.