The entire section of the letter concerning Paul’s own people Israel (Romans 9:1–11:36) is drenched with tears and prayers for his people. This already becomes apparent at the beginning (Romans 9:1–5), and now that he has to confront the reality of his own people rejecting Christ (Romans 9:31–33), he gives his emotions free reign once again. For the second time he therefore expresses his yearning for Israel’s salvation: Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved
(Romans 10:1). Despite being persecuted by the Jews everywhere he goes, the thought of writing this people off never even crossed his mind. On the contrary, he always remains passionate about their salvation, and continually prays for them.
Paul writes in greater detail concerning the reality of a people that has become unfaithful to their own heritage. He does this in order to clarify to his Gentile Christian readers how it is possible that the very gospel that came out of Jerusalem is indeed God’s true gospel even despite the denial of that gospel by his own kinsmen who have always received and kept God’s words. Writing negatively about his own beloved nation is a grievous task to Paul. For this reason he starts off in Romans 10:1 by excluding every hint of misunderstanding on the part of his readers. He does not write as an Jewish apostate, nor as a deserter of his people. He writes with the heart of a true Israelite. Just as the cross of Christ stood in Jerusalem, so this persecuted apostle’s heart remains close to his city and his people.1
1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.