Romans 9:3
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's statement 'I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh' is one of the most extraordinary expressions of intercessory love in the New Testament. The optative 'I could wish' (ēuchomēn) is the Greek's most careful way of expressing an impossible wish — Paul is describing a depth of longing for Israel's salvation so extreme that he would forfeit his own salvation for it, if it were possible. Moses's comparable intercession ('blot me out of thy book which thou hast written,' Exodus 32:32) is the OT parallel, suggesting the apostolic intercessory vocation draws on the Mosaic model of shepherding Israel. The passage grounds the subsequent argument of Romans 9-11 about Israel's election: Paul's anguish is not merely personal but theological — if God's word to Israel has 'taken none effect' (verse 6), the reliability of all divine promises is in question.
Other Translations
For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren’s sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
for I was wishing, I myself, to be anathema from the Christ--for my brethren, my kindred, according to the flesh,
For I have a desire to take on myself the curse for my brothers, my family in the flesh:
Cross References
And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space …
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book …
His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; …
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot …
And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of …
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man …
And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure …
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of …
And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, …