In Romans 9:2 Paul describes his sorrow as all-encompassing (great
), permanent (unceasing
), and intense (i.e. he has anguish in his heart). He is speaking about a truly heartfelt sorrow that he bears with him as apostle.
This comes across as shocking following the joy that had been so characteristic of the preceding chapters, where Paul continually spoke about our justification and joy in Christ
(Romans 5:1–7:25). Nonetheless, his sorrow has everything to do with his status as a Christian. This is part of the reality of this Christian age. The fact that his kinsmen now remain behind is the bitter reverse side of this entrance of the Gentiles into the Christian faith. In prior chapters Paul also extensively wrote about the work of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of Christ touches and guides the conscience of the apostle, and it is precisely this conscience, when touched by the Spirit, that makes him realize the true extent of the present sorrow. The blasphemy of the Spirit of Christ by so many of his fellow Jews is the sorrowful shadow of the work that this Spirit of sanctification brings about among the Gentile nations. Paul truly suffers because of it, and his suffering is a reality; it is no lie. This suffering is an integral and inescapable part of the new reality in Christ and in his Spirit.1
2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.