Romans 9:3 Meaning and Explanation
“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul reveals that he could almost wish himself cut off from Christ if it would save his fellow Israelites.
What Does Romans 9:3 Mean?
Now the grief is named. Paul's sorrow is for his own people, the Jews, his kinsmen by blood. He reaches for the strongest words he can: he could wish himself accursed, severed from the very Christ he loves above all, if that exchange could bring them in. The wording is a longing he knows cannot be granted, yet it measures the depth of his love.
This is love poured out to the edge of self-sacrifice. It echoes Moses, who asked to be blotted from God's book for his people, and points beyond both to the One who actually became a curse for us. Paul's willingness to be lost so others might be found is a faint reflection of the Savior's finished work, and a rebuke to every love that costs us nothing.
Romans 9:3 in the Original Language
anathema (ἀνάθεμα), 'accursed' -- something devoted to destruction, set under a curse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 9:3
What does Romans 9:3 mean?
Paul reveals that he could almost wish himself cut off from Christ if it would save his fellow Israelites.