Question 1

Why does Paul say he has great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart?

Accepted Answer

Paul’s heart is heavy because many of his own people, the Israelites, have rejected Christ and are outside the way of salvation. He is not writing as a cold teacher, but as someone deeply hurt by their unbelief. He feels real, ongoing grief, not just a passing sadness. This sorrow is tied to his love for them as his “brethren” and “kinsmen according to the flesh,” and also to the fact that they, of all people, had enjoyed so many gifts from God yet were missing the very Messiah who came from their own nation.

Question 2

What does Paul mean when he says he could wish himself accursed from Christ?

Accepted Answer

Paul uses very strong language to show how much he loves his fellow Jews. When he says he could wish himself “accursed from Christ,” he is speaking of being cut off, treated as rejected, even like a devoted thing for destruction. He does not mean this is actually possible, or that he truly wants to lose Christ. Rather, he is saying that, if it could somehow bring them salvation, he would be willing to bear the worst loss for their sake. It is a way of showing a love that puts others ahead of himself.

Question 3

Who are Paul’s “brethren” and “kinsmen according to the flesh” in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Paul’s “brethren” and “kinsmen according to the flesh” are the Jewish people, the nation of Israel. Paul himself was a Jew, “a Hebrew of the Hebrews,” and shared their natural descent from the patriarchs. Even though many of them opposed him, hunted him, and rejected his message, he still calls them his brothers and relatives. That family tie, and their special place in God’s plan, makes him care deeply about their spiritual state. His words show a forgiving, patient heart that seeks their good despite how they have treated him.

Question 4

What special privileges does Paul list that belong to the Israelites?

Accepted Answer

Paul names several gifts God gave Israel as a nation. They had “the adoption,” meaning God owned them as his son in a special national sense. They had “the glory,” such as God’s presence in the tabernacle and temple. They received “the covenants,” the solemn agreements God made with Abraham and later with his descendants. They were given “the law,” both moral and other laws, written and taught among them. They had “the service of God,” with priests, sacrifices, and worship that God himself appointed. They also had “the promises,” especially those pointing to the coming Messiah.

Question 5

What does it mean that Christ came from Israel according to the flesh?

Accepted Answer

When Paul says that, as far as the flesh is concerned, Christ came from Israel, he is talking about Jesus’ human birth and family line. Jesus took on the “seed of Abraham” and belonged to Israel’s line in his human nature. This was a great honor for the Jewish people, that the promised Messiah and Savior would be born as one of them. It also shows that God’s saving plan is tied to real history and real people, not something vague. At the same time, Paul quickly adds more about who Christ is beyond his human ancestry.

Question 6

What does the phrase “who is over all, God blessed for ever” teach about Christ?

Accepted Answer

This phrase points to the greatness of Christ. After saying that Christ came from Israel according to the flesh, Paul calls him the one who is “over all, God blessed for ever.” This means more than that Jesus has a high rank. It speaks of him as truly God, ruling over all things and worthy of eternal blessing and praise. So in one short line, Paul holds together both truths: Christ is truly human, born from Israel’s line, and at the same time truly divine, over everything, God forever praised. This makes rejecting him even more serious.

Question 7

Why is this passage difficult when Paul says he could wish to be cut off from Christ?

Accepted Answer

The wording can trouble people because it sounds like Paul is willing to give up his own salvation. Faithful readers have seen this in more than one way, but the basic point is clear. Paul is not saying this is actually possible, nor that he truly wants to be forever lost. Instead, he speaks in a very strong, emotional way to show how deep his love is. His language is like that of Moses asking to be blotted out for Israel’s sake. It shows a heart that puts the glory of God’s grace in saving many above his own comfort.

Question 8

How does Paul’s attitude toward Israel challenge how we view people who reject Christ?

Accepted Answer

Paul’s attitude keeps us from pride or coldness toward those who do not believe. He knew that many Jews opposed him, yet he did not speak about them with bitterness. Instead he grieved, prayed, and was willing to suffer for their good. He also remembered the good things God had given them. This teaches us to care deeply for the spiritual good of our own people, family, and nation. We should not take joy in anyone’s downfall, but should hold truth and love together, longing that others would come to know Christ, even when they resist the message.

Question 9

What does this passage show about God’s dealings with Israel and his promises?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God really did give Israel many rich gifts and privileges, and that he did not treat them like other nations. They had adoption, glory, covenants, law, worship, promises, and the fathers, and from them came Christ in his humanity. At the same time, many of them were rejecting the very Savior promised to them. This raises the question of how their unbelief fits with God’s faithfulness, which Paul goes on to discuss. Here, he sets the stage by reminding us that God’s gifts were real, and yet do not remove the need for faith in Christ.

Romans 9:1

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Paul’s Concern for the Jews

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Romans 9:1

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

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Paul’s Concern for the Jews

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