9:5a
Theirs are the patriarchs: The Greek is literally “of whom the fathers.” It indicates that they are connected to Abraham, Isaac (son of Abraham), and Jacob (son of Isaac). Those three were the main ancestors of the Israelites. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
To them belong the patriarchs (English Standard Version)
-or-
who are connected to the founders
-or-
whose ancestors are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived more than 1,800 years before Paul wrote this letter. In some translations, the translator may need to make it clear that they had died long ago. For example:
of whom are the forefathers ⌊of long ago⌋
9:5b
from them proceeds the human descent of Christ: The Greek is literally “from whom the Christ according to the flesh.” It indicates that Jesus is a person of the people of Israel, a Jew, when we look at his human descent through King David. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
from them, according to the flesh, is the Messiah (New American Bible, Revised Edition)
-or-
out of them, so far as physical descent is concerned, came Christ (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They have those famous ancestors, who were also the ancestors of Jesus Christ (Contemporary English Version)
the human descent: Here the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as human descent are literally “according to the flesh.” They refer to natural/human descent, as in 9:3. See the examples above.
Christ: Here this word refers to Jesus as the Messiah, the one God sent to save people. It is not used as another name for Jesus. For example:
the Christ/Messiah
-or-
the one/person whom God appointed to save/rescue ⌊people⌋
See how you translated this word in 1:1.
9:5c
who is God over all, forever worthy of praise: The Greek is literally “the (one) being over all God blessed into the ages.” There are three main ways to interpret these words:
(1) The words God over all, forever worthy of praise describe “the Christ” (9:5b). This verse says that Jesus the Christ is lord over all things and he is also God and is blessed forever. For example:
who is above all, God, blessed for ever (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, NET Bible, New Century Version)
(2) The phrase God…forever worthy of praise describes “the (one) being over all,” and all of these words describe “the Christ” (9:5b). This verse says that Jesus the Christ is lord over all things and God blesses him forever. For example:
who is over all, God blessed forever (New American Standard Bible)
(New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version)
(3) The whole phrase is separate from the words “the Christ.” It is a blessing to God. For example:
…the Christ. God who is over all be blessed for ever. (Revised Standard Version)
(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because a number of scholars say it is the most natural way to read the Greek.
who is God over all: These words introduce a description of Jesus the Christ (9:5b). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are many Christs and only this one is over all. If that is true in your language, translate in a way that introduces a description of Jesus the Christ. For example:
he is God over all
-or-
and he is God over all
Here this phrase indicates that Jesus the Christ is lord of all things, including animals and people, and he is also God. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
he is God, the one rules over everything (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he is God who rules over all that exists
-or-
He is the God that surpasses and is above all
forever: The Greek is literally “into the ages.” It refers to all time in the future.
worthy of praise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worthy of praise here means “blessed” or “honored.” People and the angels and other creatures of heaven are and will always praise and honor God. See how you translated it in 1:25.
Amen: This word indicates that Paul approved and confirmed as true what he just said. In many languages people will already be familiar with it and so it is possible to transliterate it. See how you translated it in 1:25.
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