After having caught the readers’ attention by means of an abrupt transition and having unexpectedly shared an inner sorrow with his readers in Romans 9:1–2, he emphatically begins the discourse on the subject at hand in Romans 9:3, namely the unbelief of his kinsmen. Removing this burden would have been of immeasurable value to him. So much so that he writes that he would even be willing to trade places with them: 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.
The Greek word used here by Paul, anathema (accursed
), alludes to Jesus who had been cursed by the Sanhedrin and by so many Jews in the synagogues (see 1 Corinthians 12:3). In continuing their cursing of Jesus, Paul’s former brothers now also reject him as his apostle. He wishes that the Jews would curse him rather than cursing Jesus, however, so that the roles could be reversed. Israel would belong to Jesus and Paul would be cast out. As servant of Christ, he would be willing to sacrifice himself for his people. This is, of course, an impossibility. Paul is therefore not here uttering an actual prayer, but rather expresses how much he would be willing to give up had this desire been at all possible and feasible. Paul now suffers intensely because of his own nation’s rebellion—his own tribe’s unwillingness to repent. Following the path of Christ entails bearing this burden.
Readers of this letter may possibly regard Paul’s sentiment here as being over the top and going too far. After all, as Gentile Christians his initial audience in Rome may not have even given much thought to the place of Israel. Paul therefore now proceeds to elaborate on this very subject, thereby setting the tone for what is to follow. By revealing his attitude, the apostle, who genuinely suffers because of the loss of his people, is teaching his readers that they cannot simply ignore Israel.1
3 Car je voudrais moi-même être anathème et séparé de Christ pour mes frères, mes parents selon la chair,