Why did Paul say he could wish himself accursed from Christ in Romans 9:3?

Paul expressed a willingness to be accursed from Christ because of his deep love for the Jewish people, Israel. He had great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart for them. His statement parallels Moses, who asked God to blot his name out of the book of life to spare Israel.

Les explains that Romans 9 begins a parenthetical section where Paul leaves off instructions and doctrines for Gentiles and deals with the nation of Israel for three chapters: past, present, and future. Paul says he tells the truth in Christ and lies not, with his conscience bearing witness in the Holy Spirit. He speaks of great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart. Paul could wish himself accursed from Christ because of his love for the Jew. Les compares this to Moses, who said, "Oh God, spare this people, and if it will help, blot my name out of the book of life, but spare Israel."

Romans 9:1

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Romans 9:2

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Romans 9:3

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

What did Paul mean in Romans 9 when he said he could wish himself accursed from Christ for his brethren?

Paul meant that his love and burden for his Jewish kinsmen according to the flesh, the Israelites, was so great that he would willingly be accursed from Christ if it could bring them to salvation. His heart's desire was for Jews to come into the knowledge of salvation, even though they constantly opposed him.