Romans 9 3

Romans 9:3 kjv

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Romans 9:3 nkjv

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

Romans 9:3 niv

For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,

Romans 9:3 esv

For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Romans 9:3 nlt

for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed ? cut off from Christ! ? if that would save them.

Romans 9 verses

Romans 9 3 Meaning

Paul expresses a profound personal anguish and deep sorrow over his kinsmen, the Israelites, due to their rejection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This isn't a general lament for all humanity but a specific, heartfelt grief for his own people.

Romans 9 3 Context

In Romans chapter 9, Paul is addressing the issue of God's faithfulness and sovereignty in relation to Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ. He preemptively answers a potential objection: if God's promises are true, why has the nation of Israel, the very people God chose, largely turned away from the Messiah? Paul is deeply empathetic to this dilemma because it involves his own heritage. This verse sets the stage for his extended discourse on divine election and human responsibility, showing the depth of his personal concern. The overall theme of Romans is God's righteousness and salvation, and here Paul focuses on how this plays out in God's dealings with Israel.

Romans 9 3 Word analysis

• euchomai (εὔχομαι): This Greek verb means "to wish," "to pray," or "to desire earnestly." It conveys a strong, fervent longing or supplication. Paul uses it to emphasize the depth of his internal struggle and prayerful concern.
• anathema (ανάθεμα): This is a powerful term in Greek, carrying the weight of "accursed," "devoted to destruction," or "cursed from Christ." In the Old Testament, it referred to something set apart for destruction or a sacred offering of utter destruction. Paul's willingness to be "anathema" signifies an extreme form of self-sacrifice, akin to bearing a curse for the sake of his people. It parallels similar sentiments found in Moses and others in the Old Testament.
• autos (αὐτός): This is a personal pronoun meaning "myself" or "myself." Its inclusion here underscores the personal nature of Paul's wish and the extremity of his proposed self-sacrifice. He is willing to be separated from Christ for his people.
• pangeis (πangeis): This term refers to his kinsmen, his own flesh and blood. It emphasizes his strong ethnic and familial ties to the Jewish people, grounding his sorrow in a deeply personal and relational context.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I could wish myself accursed from Christ": This powerful phrase signifies Paul's desire to be utterly separated from Christ if it meant the salvation of his own people, Israel. It highlights an immeasurable love and a willingness for extreme personal sacrifice. It's not a genuine prayer for damnation but an expression of his overwhelming desire for Israel's salvation, even at his own eternal cost. This echoes Old Testament figures willing to forfeit blessings for the people of Israel.
• "for my brethren, my countrymen by birth": This clarifies the object of his distress. It's not for all humanity generally, but specifically for the Jewish people, "according to the flesh." This emphasizes his unique connection and empathy, acknowledging his shared heritage and the spiritual blindness that had come upon them.

Romans 9 3 Bonus section

This sentiment of willing self-sacrifice for the people is reminiscent of Moses' plea in Exodus 32:32 ("Yet now, if you forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written"). Similarly, Isaiah expressed profound sorrow in Isaiah 6:5 over his own uncleanness in the presence of God's glory. Paul’s statement reflects this deep Old Testament prophetic concern for Israel, framing his apostleship with a genuine pastoral heart. His intense desire is not for a withdrawal from God's favor for himself, but a desire for his people to be restored to that favor, highlighting the complex intertwining of personal faith and corporate destiny.

Romans 9 3 Commentary

Paul's statement reveals an extraordinary depth of love and empathy for his fellow Israelites. His wish to be anathema, while not implying a theological suggestion that one could or should literally be damned for another, expresses the utmost degree of sorrow and self-giving desire for their salvation. It shows that spiritual leadership involves deep, personal identification with the people being served. He values their salvation so much that he's willing to pay any price, even being separated from Christ. This intensely personal lament prepares the reader for the theological arguments that follow, emphasizing the weighty significance of Israel's relationship with God and their Messiah. His anguish underscores the tragedy of Israel's present unbelief from Paul's perspective as both a Jew and an apostle to the Gentiles.