Yes, Paul expresses deep, continual sorrow for Israel because they are his kinsmen and have not accepted their Messiah.
In Romans 9:1-3, Paul declares his truth in Christ and his conscience in the Holy Spirit, stating he has 'great heaviness and continual sorrow' for his kinsmen. He even wishes himself accursed from Christ if it would help Israel. This shows the depth of his love and the seriousness of his burden, not a casual sadness.
Romans 9:1-3 — These verses directly contain Paul's expression of sorrow and his willingness to be accursed for Israel.
In Romans 9:1-3, Paul writes, 'I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.' These verses show that Paul's sorrow is not superficial but profound, affirmed by his conscience and the Holy Spirit. He identifies Israel as his relatives by natural descent, and his grief is so intense that he expresses a willingness to be separated from Christ if it could bring about their salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's sorrow in Romans 9 stems from his deep love for his Jewish kinsmen. He points out that Paul, though the apostle to the Gentiles, never lost his heart for Israel, even wishing himself accursed from Christ if it could save them (Romans 9:3). Les also explains that Romans 9, 10, and 11 form a parenthetical section in the book of Romans, where Paul deals specifically with Israel's past, present, and future. Chapter 9 addresses Israel's past, showing how their dilemma was prophesied in the Old Testament, while chapter 10 deals with God's present dealing with Israel, and chapter 11 covers Israel's future. Les emphasizes that this section is crucial because it shows God is not through with Israel, contrary to much of Christendom's belief.
Les Feldick explains that Romans 9 begins a parenthetical section in the book of Romans. After the assurance of Romans 8, Paul opens a parenthesis to deal with Israel. He says that the book of Romans is written to Gentile believers, but in chapters 9-11 he turns to Israel: chapter 9 is Israel's past, chapter 10 is Israel's present, and chapter 11 is Israel's future (Clips 0, 4). This structure fits beautifully when you see it as a parenthesis, and after chapter 11, Paul returns to practical Christian living in chapter 12.
Les Feldick highlights that Paul's willingness to be 'accursed from Christ' for his brethren shows his intense love for Israel. Even though Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, his heart's desire was for Jews to be saved (Romans 10:1). He compares this to Moses, who also pleaded for Israel (though not in the provided clips, Les uses the comparison in the summary). Paul's sorrow was continual, not a momentary feeling.
According to Les Feldick, Romans 11 makes it plain that God is not through with the nation of Israel. Israel has been set aside for over 1900 years, without a temple, priesthood, or sacrifice, but God will fulfill His covenant promises to them. This will not happen until God is through with the Gentile church. Paul's sorrow and subsequent teaching in Romans 9-11 demonstrate that God has not rejected Israel permanently.
Parenthetical Section
Les explains that Romans 9-11 is a parenthetical section, showing that Paul's sorrow introduces this treatment of Israel's past, present, and future.
Paul's Heart's Desire
Les references Paul's earlier statement in Romans 9, where he would give up his own salvation for Israel, showing the depth of his love.
Israel's Past and Future
Les sets the context: Romans 9 deals with Israel's past, and God is not through with Israel, as He will fulfill covenant promises.
Why Has Israel Suffered So Much? The Bible's Answer
Now we pick this up in Romans chapter 11 from Paul's viewpoint, and remember now Paul has a heart for the nation of Israel, but he is as you see here in verse 13 of Romans 11, he is not the apostle of Israel as Peter certainly was, but rather his apostleship is to whom? Gentiles. Now look at that verse 13. Romans 11. For Paul writes, "...
Chapter Division Overview
Les repeats that Romans 9 is Israel's past, 10 is present, and 11 is future, showing Paul's sorrow is tied to Israel's national history.
The Rapture Is a Mystery — What Paul Revealed That No One Else Did
All right, now let's go right back then to where we left off in Romans chapter 11, a chapter of course where Paul is making it so plain, by virtue of inspiration of course, that God is not through with the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel has been set aside for the last 1900 and some years. They've been without the temple, without a priesthood, without a sacrifice.
Paul's Unwavering Love
Les directly quotes Romans 9:3, emphasizing Paul's willingness to be accursed for his Jewish kinsmen, and that he never lost that love.
From Deceiver to Prince: Jacob’s Struggle and God’s Unconditional Promise (Genesis 28-32)
Romans chapter 11, maybe I want to come back, chapter 10, Romans, well, first I'd like to have you stop at chapter 9, Romans chapter 9, and come down to verse 6, chapter 9, verse 6, where it says, Not as though the word of God hath taken no effect, for they are not all Israel, who are of Israel. Now do you see the distinction? In other words, Israel too has a believing remnant.
Romans 9:1-3: I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
This is the direct scriptural basis for Paul's sorrow and his willingness to be accursed for Israel.
Romans 10:1: Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
This verse reinforces Paul's ongoing concern for Israel's salvation, which Les connects to his sorrow in Romans 9.
Paul's extreme statement in Romans 9:3 expresses the depth of his love for his Jewish brethren. He was willing to be separated from Christ if it could bring salvation to Israel. Les Feldick points out that this shows Paul never lost his heart for the Jewish people, even though he was the apostle to the Gentiles.
Yes, according to Les Feldick, Romans 9, 10, and 11 form a parenthetical section where Paul specifically deals with Israel: chapter 9 covers Israel's past, chapter 10 their present, and chapter 11 their future. This section highlights God's continuing plan for Israel.
Watch the Teaching: Is God Done With Israel? What the Bible Really Says - Romans 9 Explained