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.
Parallel translations
- WEB For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh,
- KJV For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen 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,
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 you will, forgive their sin — and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written.”
- Esth 8:6For how can I endure to see the evil that would come to my people? How can I endure to see the destruction of my relatives?”
- Rom 11:14if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.
- Gal 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
- 1 Cor 16:22If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, Lord!
- Deut 21:23his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him the same day; for he who is hanged is accursed of God; that you don’t defile your land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance.
- Rom 11:1I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
- Acts 13:26Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.
- 1 Sam 14:44Saul said, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”
- 1 Cor 12:3Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit.
- Josh 6:17–18The city shall be devoted, even it and all that is in it, to Yahweh. Only Rahab the prostitute shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
- Acts 7:23–26But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
- Gen 29:14Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” He lived with him for a month.
- 1 Sam 14:24The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.
- Gal 3:13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”
- Gal 1:8But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
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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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