Accursed from Christ for My Brethren Romans 9:3

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.” In chapter nine and verse three of Romans, Paul told his readers how he “wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren” where we read:

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,

my kinsmen according to the flesh:

The verse begins, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, ...” Paul began with the words, “for I could wish” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore Paul prayed to God” “that myself” or “that he himself” “were accursed” which means “was devoted to the direst of woes, accused and cursed” “from Christ” which refers to “being apart and separated from the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”, “for my brethren” which means “on behalf and for the occasion of Paul's national ancestors who belong to the same countrymen”. Paul told his readers how he “prayed to God” that he would be “cursed” away from “Christ” on behalf of his fellow-countrymen.

The verse continues, “... my kinsmen according to the flesh:”. Paul added the words, “my kinsmen” or “Paul's people within the same nation to whom he was akin and related by blood” “according” which means “down from, through out, toward and along” “to the flesh” or “the mere human and earthly nature of man apart from divine influence and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God”. Paul shared how his passionate concern lie with his national and “related brothers and sisters”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how he desired for his fellow-countrymen to know Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord”. He was so passionate about them being saved, that he wished that he himself could be “cursed” instead of them. We may find this unbelievable upon first thought, however, when God's love permeates a person's life, they have eternal compassion for others like never before. Jesus Christ came to “save” everyone who wills, and all that is necessary for a person to be “saved” is to willingly invite Him into their lives.

Next time we see Paul identifies these “brethren” as, “Israelites”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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