The Blog

In the first few verses, Paul expresses his grief and anguish for his brothers who are not in Christ. Paul expresses concern for his Jewish “brothers” by saying that he would willingly take their punishment if that could save them. While Christ is the only one that can save, Paul showed, through his words, a great depth of love. In verse four Paul talks about how Jews viewed God’s choosing of Isreal in the Old Testament as being like adoption. They were undeserving and without rights as natural children. Yet God adopted them and granted them the status of sons and daughters.
Romans 9:1-4
9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 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, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.