Great Heaviness and Continual Sorrow Romans 9:2

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”, and in chapter nine and verse two of Romans, Paul told his readers how he possessed “great heaviness and continual sorrow” where we read:

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

The verse begins, “That I have great heaviness ...” Paul began with the words, “that I have” which means “Paul owned, possessed and held” “great” or “large in mass and weight, abundant, large and numerous” “heaviness” which means “sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance and affliction”. Paul shared his “abundant sorrow” with his readers.

The verse goes on to say, “... and continual sorrow in my heart.”. Paul continued with the words, “and continual sorrow” or “intermittent and unceasing consuming grief and pain ” “in my heart” which means “within Paul's soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good or as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites and passions”. Paul shared how “constant and consuming grief” was within his soul.

When we consider these words of Paul, we can see how he was “pained within” over that which he is going to declare. This is the nature of a person who cares deeply for others who do not know or have not received the “gospel of Jesus Christ”, and God is the same. He passionately desires for everyone to know Him personally through His Son Jesus, and He loves every person so much that He sent His Son to “die” for the “sins” of the world. When people accept Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” there is great joy, but until they do, there is “great heaviness and continual sorrow” for their souls.

Next time we see Paul declare, “I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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