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 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 9:1 | I speak the truth in Christ; I do not lie, my conscience... | Romans 9:1 |
| Romans 11:28 | As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies... | Romans 11:28 (God's justice) |
| Romans 10:1 | Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer... | Romans 10:1 (Same sentiment) |
| Acts 20:19 | I served the Lord with great humility and with tears... | Acts 20:19 (Paul's tears) |
| Acts 20:31 | You know that I did not hesitate to preach anything... | Acts 20:31 (Paul's pastoral care) |
| Philippians 3:4 | though I myself have grounds for confidence... | Phil 3:4 (Paul's Jewish heritage) |
| Galatians 4:14 | but you did not scorn or despise me, though my illness... | Gal 4:14 (Paul's weakness affecting acceptance) |
| Galatians 5:11 | But if I, brothers and sisters, am still preaching... | Gal 5:11 (Persecution for truth) |
| Jeremiah 17:1 | The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with... | Jer 17:1 (Israel's persistent sin) |
| Jeremiah 20:10 | For I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side!... | Jer 20:10 (Prophet's lament) |
| Exodus 32:32 | But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not... | Exo 32:32 (Moses' intercession) |
| John 5:39 | You study the Scriptures because you think that in them... | John 5:39 (Israel's failure to recognize Christ) |
| Luke 2:34 | Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother... | Luke 2:34 (Christ as sign) |
| Isaiah 53:1 | Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm... | Isa 53:1 (Unbelief of Messiah) |
| Isaiah 63:1 | Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with cloaks... | Isa 63:1 (Divine intervention) |
| Psalm 2:2 | The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band... | Psa 2:2 (Rulers against God) |
| 2 Corinthians 7:3 | I do not say this to condemn you, but rather, as I... | 2 Cor 7:3 (Paul's deep concern for Corinthians) |
| Romans 11:2 | God did not reject his people whom he foreknew... | Rom 11:2 (God's election) |
| 1 Timothy 2:4 | who wants all people to be saved and to come to a... | 1 Tim 2:4 (God's desire for salvation) |
| 2 Peter 3:9 | The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as... | 2 Pet 3:9 (God's patience) |
Romans 9 verses
Romans 9 2 Meaning
Paul expresses profound grief and continuous sorrow for his fellow Israelites. This is not a casual sadness but a deep, internal pain stemming from their rejection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
Romans 9 2 Context
This verse opens Romans chapter 9, where Paul addresses the crucial and sensitive issue of God's sovereign plan for salvation and Israel's role within it. Chapter 9 directly follows Paul's affirmation of the gospel's power to save all who believe (Romans 1:16; 11:26). Here, he confronts a potential objection: if the gospel is for all, what about the Jewish people, Paul's own kinsmen, many of whom have rejected Jesus? Paul's deeply emotional statement in verse 2 underscores the personal weight he carries regarding this spiritual reality. He is deeply grieved that his own people, recipients of God's covenants and promises, are largely not embracing the Messiah.
Romans 9 2 Word Analysis
- Gases: Greek: ěō / ēō (a pathetic exclamation of grief or lamentation). This is an interjection expressing profound distress and sorrow.
- ěōn: Greek: ěō / ēō. In the context of scripture and lamentations, it signifies deep anguish and heartache.
- něos: Greek: mě / mē. This is a negative particle, used here to emphatically deny the truth of the statement to follow.
- naxaxněs: Greek: klěněō / klěněō. This means "to cease" or "to give up." Paul is stating his sorrow is unceasing.
- xǒ: Greek: ksǒ / ksŏ. A connective particle, translating to "and" or "also."
- xǐě: Greek: klěō / klěō. Meaning "my heart," referring to the seat of emotion and will.
- văxiă: Greek: pěnthǒs / penthǒs. This refers to intense sorrow, mourning, or grief.
- ěxiě: Greek: kărdía / kardía. Paul's "heart" here signifies his inner being, his emotional and spiritual core.
- věěvixě: Greek: ăxǒníníxi / axonínīxi. Meaning "unremitting" or "incessant," emphasizing the constant nature of his sorrow.
- ěkxiě: Greek: ou / ou. A strong negation.
- ăxiěă: Greek: ēēx / ēēx. A particle used for emphasis, akin to "indeed" or "truly."
- ně: Greek: mou / mou. Possessive pronoun, "my."
Words Group Analysis:
- "I have great sorrow and unceasing pain" (Ěōněōs ěkleěě xǒě xărdíaě penthǒs měěěě ěxiěě) conveys a deeply felt, continuous grief. The repetition and strong negative reinforce the magnitude of his distress over Israel's spiritual condition.
Romans 9 2 Bonus Section
The vehemence of Paul's sorrow can be understood in light of his own dramatic conversion (Acts 9). His former zeal against Christians now fuels his compassion for those who are, in his view, continuing in a path of rejection of the truth he so passionately now espouses. This serves as a reminder of the transformative power of encountering Christ, which can turn zealous opposition into earnest intercession. His sorrow also underscores the theological paradox that God's plan for Israel does not preclude their present unbelief, nor does their unbelief negate God's ultimate faithfulness. This sets the stage for the subsequent discussion on election and sovereign grace within God's redemptive program.
Romans 9 2 Commentary
Paul's statement reveals the personal anguish of a shepherd concerned for his flock, even when that flock resists the Good Shepherd. This isn't just theological debate for Paul; it's a matter of the heart. His sorrow stems from seeing God's chosen people, who had the law and the prophets, failing to recognize and embrace the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. This reflects the pain of many true shepherds in ministry who grieve over those who stray or refuse the gospel. It highlights the importance of loving even those with whom we have strong theological disagreements, a concept vital in inter-community dialogues.