For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
The verse reveals the depth of Paul's compassion and extraordinary burden for his fellow Israelites. His brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh, are the Israelites, the Jews. They are the people to whom belong the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the law and the service of God and the promises. Theirs also are the fathers, and of them as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. They had failed to recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah.
Paul had carried this burden in behalf of the Jews ever since his conversion. He longed to help his Jewish brethren gain a clear understanding of the gospel message that they might be saved. His feeling was no ordinary desire but anguish over their loss, great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart. He constantly petitioned God to work in their behalf.
His love went so far that he could wish himself accursed and cut off from Christ for their sake. He affirmed the truth of this love in Christ, with his conscience bearing witness in the Holy Spirit. In such grief he became a partaker, as far as human understanding can reach, in Christ's compassion for lost souls.
The verse reveals the depth of Paul's compassion and extraordinary burden for his fellow Israelites. His brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh, are the Israelites, the Jews. They are the people to whom belong the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the law and the service of God and the promises. Theirs also are the fathers, and of them as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. They had failed to recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah.
Paul had carried this burden in behalf of the Jews ever since his conversion. He longed to help his Jewish brethren gain a clear understanding of the gospel message that they might be saved. His feeling was no ordinary desire but anguish over their loss, great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart. He constantly petitioned God to work in their behalf.
His love went so far that he could wish himself accursed and cut off from Christ for their sake. He affirmed the truth of this love in Christ, with his conscience bearing witness in the Holy Spirit. In such grief he became a partaker, as far as human understanding can reach, in Christ's compassion for lost souls.