Verse 5 The fathers; the patriarchs.--As concerning the flesh; in respect to human parentage.--God blessed forever. It is unusual for the sacred writers to identify the Redeemer in so direct and unqualified a manner with the supreme Divinity; because they generally speak of him in his mediatorial capacity, in which he occupies a position subordinate to the Father. (See particularly 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.) This case is, however, not solitary, as will appear by referring to Philippians 2:6; Titus 1:3,2:13. Various attempts have been made to detach the last part of the verse from what precedes, so as to give the doxology an independent interpretation. But the construction of the passage in the original resists these attempts; and they are admitted by those who make them not to be satisfactory.