Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 9:3

"For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren`s sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh:" — Romans 9:3 (ASV)

The apostle begins on a personal note, expressing, like the prophets of old, the burden of his soul over the condition of the Jews. Since he has left Judaism behind, this sorrow might be interpreted as somewhat less than sincere. Hence the solemn introduction in which he summons two witnesses—his union with Christ who is the truth (cf. Ephesians 4:21) and his conscience as aided by the Holy Spirit (cf. 8:16). As though that were not enough, he declares himself ready to accept severance from Christ (cf. 8:39) if that would avail to bring his countrymen into the fold of the Savior (cf. Exodus 32:32). Paul could not, of course, actually become anathema from Christ (cf. ch. 8). Yet if it were possible, he would gladly make the sacrifice. This readiness takes on poignancy in light of Paul’s having suffered the loss of all things in order to gain Christ . So he would be facing a double loss.

Paul’s longing for the salvation of his people comes out in the way he speaks of them—“my brothers” (cf. Acts 2:29; 3:17; 22:1; 28:17). To avoid misunderstanding, he qualifies this by noting that the bond is one of “race” rather than of a common faith in Christ.