Romans 9 2

Romans 9:2 kjv

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Romans 9:2 nkjv

that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.

Romans 9:2 niv

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

Romans 9:2 esv

that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

Romans 9:2 nlt

My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 2 Meaning

Paul expresses a profound, continuous, and deeply personal grief within his heart. This sorrow is not for himself, but an agonizing burden related to the spiritual state and unbelief of his own people, the Israelites. He introduces the deep theological discussion of God's sovereign plan for Israel with a powerful declaration of genuine compassion and distress.

Romans 9 2 Context

Romans 9:2 stands at the beginning of a critical three-chapter section (Romans 9-11) where Paul addresses the complex issue of Israel's present rejection of Jesus as Messiah and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Paul has just declared the truthfulness of his statements under oath in Rom 9:1, using powerful affirmation. This immediate follow-up by an outpouring of profound personal grief in verse 2 underscores the sincerity and weighty personal cost of the theological arguments he is about to make. His sorrow for Israel's unbelief is the deeply felt, compassionate ground from which his intricate defense of God's righteous plan unfolds, ensuring his readers understand his argument is rooted in love for his kinsmen, not animosity or indifference.

Romans 9 2 Word analysis

• that (ὅτι - hoti): A conjunction linking back to Paul's preceding solemn oath in Rom 9:1. It introduces the content of the "truth" he is speaking, signaling that his profound sorrow is precisely what he wishes to convey with absolute sincerity and certainty.

• I have (μοι ἐστὶν - moi estin): Literally "there is to me." This dative construction emphasizes the deeply personal, inherent nature of the experience. It highlights that the sorrow and anguish are possessions of Paul's innermost being, not fleeting emotions.

• great (μεγάλὴ - megalē): An adjective modifying "sorrow." It indicates intense quantity and significance, implying this is not a slight or trivial feeling but a profound and overwhelming burden.

• sorrow (λύπη - lypē): A general term for grief, distress, or pain. It refers to a deep mental or emotional uneasiness, which, in Paul's context, is undoubtedly godly sorrow rooted in spiritual concern, rather than worldly regret.

• and (καὶ - kai): A conjunction connecting "great sorrow" with "unceasing anguish." It signifies not just an addition but an intensification, combining two powerful expressions of pain into a unified, compounded burden.

• unceasing (ἀδιάλειπτος - adialeiptos): This crucial adjective describes the continuous, uninterrupted nature of the anguish. It means "without interval," indicating that Paul's suffering for his people is constant and persistent, not episodic or occasional.

• anguish (ὀδύνη - odynē): A stronger word than "lypē," denoting a sharp, severe, acute mental or physical pain. It conveys a sense of agonizing torment or tormenting pain, akin to the pangs of childbirth or deep, enduring distress.

• in my heart (τῇ καρδίᾳ μου - tē kardia mou): The "heart" (kardia) in biblical usage refers to the inner self, the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and conscience—the very core of one's being. This phrase emphasizes that Paul's grief is deeply seated, permeating his entire inner person, not merely an external expression.

• great sorrow and unceasing anguish: This phrase powerfully combines an adjective of intensity ("great") with one of duration ("unceasing") and two distinct terms for suffering ("sorrow" and "anguish"). This masterful pairing creates a portrait of profound, agonizing, and perpetual distress, underscoring the severity and unremitting nature of Paul's inner pain. The literary choice to use both "lypē" and "odynē" suggests a multi-faceted and encompassing experience of suffering that goes beyond a single type of grief.

• in my heart: This signifies that Paul's deep emotions originate and reside in his innermost being, giving authenticity and gravitas to his lament. It demonstrates that his concern is not superficial or academic, but deeply rooted in his personal experience and identity.

Romans 9 2 Bonus section

• Rhetorical Foundation: Paul deliberately opens this significant section with such a powerful declaration of personal grief to establish his ethos and ensure his readers understand that his critique of Israel's current state is born of profound love and concern, not anti-Semitism or cold theological speculation. It sets a pastoral tone for a challenging topic.
• Contrast to Worldly Sorrow: Paul's sorrow here stands in stark contrast to "worldly sorrow," which leads to death (2 Cor 7:10). His anguish is a "godly grief" that longs for Israel's repentance and restoration, mirroring God's own enduring patience.
• Prophetic Parallel: Paul’s heartfelt cry is deeply rooted in the prophetic tradition of Israel, echoing figures like Jeremiah who lamented with profound agony over the spiritual decline and suffering of his people. This shows Paul operating within the same Spirit-inspired prophetic mantle.
• Apostle to the Gentiles' Heart for Israel: While specifically called to be the apostle to the Gentiles, this verse demonstrates Paul's enduring and deep-seated love and connection to his Jewish heritage and people. This personal tension fuels much of his theological reflection in chapters 9-11.

Romans 9 2 Commentary

Romans 9:2 reveals the apostle Paul's profound and continuous spiritual agony concerning his own Jewish people. Far from an abstract theological argument, his explanation of God's plan for Israel begins with an intense emotional declaration, confirming his genuine love and burden. His "great sorrow" (lypē megalē) and "unceasing anguish" (adialeiptos odynē) are not indicative of personal failings, but rather reflect a righteous empathy and a vicarious suffering for Israel's spiritual blindness and their rejection of the Messiah. This personal grief is paramount, grounding the potentially controversial doctrines to follow in the context of Paul's authentic compassion. It echoes the laments of Old Testament prophets and even Christ's weeping over Jerusalem, portraying a God-like heartbreak over humanity's unbelief, especially from those once intimately favored. Paul's burden challenges believers to cultivate a similar fervent, unceasing love and agony for the salvation of their own kinsmen and indeed for all who are alienated from Christ.