Romans 9:3

Romans 9:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
• New International Version (NIV)For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,
• English Standard Version (ESV)For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

Context of Romans 9:3

1I tell the truth in Messiah—I do not lie, my conscience assuring me in the Ruach ha-Kodesh— 2that my sorrow is great and the anguish in my heart unending. For I would pray that I myself were cursed, banished from Messiah for the sake of my people—my own flesh and blood, 4who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Torah and the Temple service and the promises. 5To them belong the patriarchs—and from them, according to the flesh, the Messiah, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.

Romans 9:3 word by word

ηὐχόμην γὰρ ἀνάθεμα εἶναι αὐτὸς ἐγὼ ἀπὸ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν συγγενῶν μου κατὰ σάρκα·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• could wish thatεὔχομαιeuchomai · to pray/wish forG2172
• myselfαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• wereεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• accursedἀνάθεμαanathema · devotedG331
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• kinsmenσυγγενήςsuggenēs · kindredG4773
• according toκατάkata · according toG2596
• the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561

Cross-references for Romans 9:3

• Exodus 32:32Yet now, please forgive their sin. But if not, please blot me out of Your book that You have written.”
• Deuteronomy 21:23His body is not to remain all night on the tree—instead you must certainly bury him the same day, for anyone hanged is a curse of God. You must not defile your land that Adonai your God is giving you as an inheritance.
• Joshua 6:17But the city will be under the ban of destruction—it and all that is in it belong to Adonai. Only Rahab the harlot will live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the scouts that we sent.
• 1 Samuel 14:24Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed that day, for Saul put the people under oath saying, “Cursed be the man that eats any food before evening, until I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the people tasted food.
• Galatians 1:8But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should announce any “good news” to you other than what we have proclaimed to you, let that person be cursed!
• Galatians 3:10For all who rely on the deeds of Torah are under a curse—for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep doing everything written in the scroll of the Torah.”
• Romans 11:1I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
• Genesis 29:14Laban said to him, “Surely you are my own bone and flesh.” And he stayed with him for a month.
• Esther 8:6For how can I endure seeing the disaster that will fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my relatives?”
• Acts 7:23“When he was approaching forty years of age, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, Bnei-Yisrael.
• Acts 13:26“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham and those among you who are God-fearers, it is to us the message of this salvation has been sent.

Commentaries on Romans 9:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ - This and the two preceding verses are thus paraphrased by Dr. Taylor: I am so far from insisting on the doctrine (of the rejection of the Jews) out of any ill-will to my countrymen, that I solemnly declare, in the sincerity of my heart, without the least fiction or dissimulation - and herein I have the testimony of my own conscience, enlightened and directed by the Spirit of God - that I am so far…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3I could wish that I myself were cursed: The Greek word anathema is used in the Greek Old Testament to translate a Hebrew expression that means “set apart for God.” In most cases, it has a negative meaning. It refers to something that is devoted to destruction as an offering to God (see Leviticus 27:28–29; Joshua 6:17–18; 7:1, 11–13; 22:20; 1 Samuel 15:3; 1 Chronicles 2:7). Paul knows that he cannot actually be cut off from Christ. His words express deep…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for--"in behalf of" my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh--In proportion as he felt himself severed from his nation, he seems to have realized all the more vividly their natural relationship. To explain away the wish here expressed, as too strong for any Christian to utter or conceive, some have rendered the opening words, "I did wish," referring it to his former unenlightened state; a…Read the comment
• Calvin’s Commentaries · v. 33. For I could wish, etc. He could not have expressed a greater ardour of love than by what he testifies here; for that is surely perfect love which refuses not to die for the salvation of a friend. But there is another word added, anathema, which proves that he speaks not only of temporal but of eternal death; and he explains its meaning when he says, from Christ, for it signifies a separation. And what is to be separated from Christ, but to be excluded…Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 9:3

• Love
• Suffering
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Absalom
• Anathema
• Continual
• Fault
• Resist
• Bible, the
• Countryman
• Election

Commentaries on Romans 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings