Romans 9:3 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 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
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,

English Standard Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For I could almost wish to be cursed and cut off from the Messiah for the benefit of my brothers, my own flesh and blood.

International Standard Version
for I could wish that I myself were condemned and cut off from the Messiah for the sake of my brothers, my own people,

American Standard Version
For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Douay-Rheims Bible
For I wished myself to be an anathema from Christ, for my brethren, who are my kinsmen according to the flesh,

Darby Bible Translation
for I have wished, I myself, to be a curse from the Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen, according to flesh;

Young's Literal Translation
for I was wishing, I myself, to be anathema from the Christ -- for my brethren, my kindred, according to the flesh,

Cross References

Exodus 32:32
Yet now, if you will forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray you, out of your book which you have written.

2 Samuel 18:33
And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for you, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Acts 22:5
As also the high priest does bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound to Jerusalem, for to be punished.

Acts 28:21
And they said to him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning you, neither any of the brothers that came showed or spoke any harm of you.

Romans 1:3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Romans 9:2
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Romans 11:14
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Romans 16:7
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Romans 16:11
Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

Romans 16:21
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

9:1-5 Being about to discuss the rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles, and to show that the whole agrees with the sovereign electing love of God, the apostle expresses strongly his affection for his people. He solemnly appeals to Christ; and his conscience, enlightened and directed by the Holy Spirit, bore witness to his sincerity. He would submit to be treated as accursed, to be disgraced, crucified; and even for a time be in the deepest horror and distress; if he could rescue his nation from the destruction about to come upon them for their obstinate unbelief. To be insensible to the eternal condition of our fellow-creatures, is contrary both to the love required by the law, and the mercy of the gospel. They had long been professed worshippers of Jehovah. The law, and the national covenant which was grounded thereon, belonged to them. The temple worship was typical of salvation by the Messiah, and the means of communion with God. All the promises concerning Christ and his salvation were given to them. He is not only over all, as Mediator, but he is God blessed for ever.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

3. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for—"in behalf of"

my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh—In proportion as he felt himself severed from his nation, he seems to have realized all the more vividly their natural relationship. To explain away the wish here expressed, as too strong for any Christian to utter or conceive, some have rendered the opening words, "I did wish," referring it to his former unenlightened state; a sense of the words too tame to be endured: others unwarrantably soften the sense of the word "accursed." But our version gives the true import of the original; and if it be understood as the language rather of "strong and indistinct emotions than of definite ideas" [Hodge], expressing passionately how he felt his whole being swallowed up in the salvation of his people, the difficulty will vanish, and we shall be reminded of the similar idea so nobly expressed by Moses (Ex 32:32).