For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Parallel translations
- WEB For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh,
- BSB For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,
- NKJV For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
- NASB For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
- NLT for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul says he could wish himself cursed and cut off from Christ if it would save his fellow Israelites. His self-sacrificing love for his people echoes Moses' plea for Israel.
Overview
Paul expresses an almost unthinkable willingness: to be accursed, separated from Christ, for the sake of his kinsmen according to the flesh. The wish is hypothetical, for he knows nothing can separate him from Christ (8:39), yet it reveals the depth of his love. His longing mirrors Moses (Exodus 32:32) and points beyond both to Christ, who actually became a curse for his people (Galatians 3:13).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Exod 32:32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
- Esth 8:6For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
- Rom 11:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
- Gal 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
- 1 Cor 16:22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
- Deut 21:23His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
- Rom 11:1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
- Acts 13:26Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
- 1 Sam 14:44And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
- 1 Cor 12:3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
- Josh 6:17–18And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
- Acts 7:23–26And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
- Gen 29:14And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
- 1 Sam 14:24And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
- Gal 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
- Gal 1:8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 9:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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