Romans 9:3
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul's profound love for his Jewish kinsmen is so deep that he declares he could wish himself "cursed and cut off from Christ" if it meant their salvation. This isn't a casual wish; it's an expression of willingness to face the ultimate separation from God's presence, mirroring Christ's own sacrifice, demonstrating an almost unimaginable level of selfless love.
Paul is deeply grieved by the rejection of his fellow Israelites, the Jews, who are turning away from Christ. He begins by solemnly affirming his sincere love for them, even wishing he could be cursed and separated from Christ himself if it meant their salvation. This immense desire stems from their shared heritage, as they are his "kinsmen according to the flesh."
Paul expresses an astonishing, almost unthinkable desire: to be cut off from Christ for his countrymen. What does 'anathema' truly mean here, and why would he even contemplate such a thing?
Paul uses the word 'anathema,' which signifies something devoted to destruction or utter ruin. It's a strong term, linked to the Hebrew 'cherem,' meaning something set apart for destruction.
A Willing Sacrifice
Paul isn't saying he wants eternal damnation. Instead, he's expressing an extreme level of love and solidarity with his Jewish kinsmen. He's willing to bear the ultimate consequence – to be utterly devoted to destruction, like a piacular sacrifice – if it means they could be saved from the impending judgment for rejecting the Messiah.
It's a profound testament to his love, willing to endure the worst, even separation from Christ's saving power, to rescue his people from ruin.
Paul's profound grief for his people isn't just a passing emotion. It stems from a deep connection and an awareness of their unique heritage, which makes their rejection of salvation all the more tragic.
Paul's anguish isn't abstract. He calls them 'my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.' This highlights:
A Shared Identity
He identifies with them on a fundamental, familial level. They share the same ancestry, the same heritage. This isn't just a casual concern; it's personal.
God's Chosen People
Their status as Israelites, recipients of God's promises, covenants, and adoption, makes their rejection of the Messiah a particularly grievous matter. It’s not just any nation; it’s the people God had so uniquely set apart. Their falling away seemed to challenge the very faithfulness of God.
This shared identity and awareness of their divine privileges amplify Paul's sorrow, making his willingness to suffer for them even more understandable.
Understand the original words
anathema · Greek Adjective
To be set apart for destruction or divine judgment; to be excluded from the blessing and presence of God.
Paul's intense desire to be 'accursed' for his kinsmen stems from the deep historical and spiritual relationship Israel held with God, a relationship punctuated by divine election, covenant promises, and the ultimate rejection of their Messiah.
~1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, initiating their unique covenant relationship with Him.
c. 13th-10th century BC
Conquest of Canaan and Period of Judges
Israelites take possession of the Promised Land, but cycles of disobedience and deliverance characterize this era.
c. 10th century BC
United Monarchy Established
Kings Saul, David, and Solomon rule over a unified Israel, with the Temple built in Jerusalem.
931 BC
Kingdom Divides
After Solomon's death, the nation splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
This passage directly parallels Paul's sentiment, showing Moses willing to be blotted out of God's book for the sake of his people, highlighting a profound willingness to sacrifice for national salvation.
Galatians 1:8This verse uses the same term 'anathema' (accursed) to describe those who preach a false gospel, underscoring the extreme nature of Paul's wish to be utterly rejected if it meant saving his kinsmen.
2 Corinthians 12:15Paul expresses a similar self-sacrificing love here, stating he is willing to spend and be spent for the Corinthians, mirroring his immense affection for his own people described in Romans 9:3.
Philippians 2:5-7This passage describes Christ's own voluntary humbling and self-emptying, serving as the ultimate example of selfless love that Paul emulates in his willingness to be accursed.
bensonRomans 9:3: "For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:"
Romans 9:3 . For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ ( The word αναθεμα , here rendered accursed, answers to the Hebrew word חרם , cherem, which signifies what is devoted to destruction. And, as the Jewish nation was now an anathema, destined to destruction, Mr. Locke supposes that Paul, to express his affection for them, here says that he could wish, provided…
pooleRomans 9:3: "For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:"
I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ; or, separated from Christ. This verse hath greatly vexed interpreters. Some read it, I did wish myself accursed from Christ: q.d. Before my conversion, I was willing to be accursed from Christ, to be a violent persecutor of the Christians, and so to be held of them as accursed for my brethren’s sake. The vulgar Latin, and ma…
Paul's profound love for his Jewish kinsmen is so deep that he declares he could wish himself "cursed and cut off from Christ" if it meant their salvation. This isn't a casual wish; it's an expression of willingness to face the ultimate separation from God's presence, mirroring Christ's own sacrifice, demonstrating an almost unimaginable level of selfless love.
Paul is deeply grieved by the rejection of his fellow Israelites, the Jews, who are turning away from Christ. He begins by solemnly affirming his sincere love for them, even wishing he could be cursed and separated from Christ himself if it meant their salvation. This immense desire stems from their shared heritage, as they are his "kinsmen according to the flesh."
Paul is deeply grieved by the rejection of his fellow Israelites, the Jews, who are turning away from Christ. He begins by solemnly affirming his sincere love for them, even wishing he could be cursed and separated from Christ himself if it meant their salvation. This immense desire stems from their shared heritage, as they are his "kinsmen according to the flesh."
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The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Jews.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus, the Messiah, is crucified, an event central to Paul's understanding of salvation and atonement.
"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." — Paul's profound love for his Jewish kinsmen is so deep that he declares he could wish himself "cursed and cut off from Christ" if it meant their salvation. This isn't a casual wish; it's an expressio…
