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.
Les explains that in Romans 9 Paul was expressing his heart for his kinsmen in the flesh, the Jew. He says he could wish himself accursed from Christ for his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites. Paul never lost that love for his fellow people the Jew, and even though he recognized himself as the apostle of the Gentiles, his heart's desire was to see Jews come into the knowledge of salvation. He wished he could bring them to emulation and save some, but they were his enemies everywhere he went and constant opposition, pursuing him from city to city. Instead of creating envy that would bring emulation, they created hatred.
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
More Questions
Why was Paul willing to be accursed from Christ for his brethren according to the flesh?
Paul said he could wish himself accursed from Christ for his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, showing his heart for his kinsmen in the flesh.
What did Paul say he was willing to give up for the sake of his Jewish brethren?
Paul's heart for his kinsmen according to the flesh, the Jew, was so great that he could wish himself accursed from Christ for his brethren, the Israelites.