“For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh” – Romans 9:3
Paul is not speaking carelessly—he’s expressing a love so deep that he would trade his own salvation if it meant his fellow Israelites could be saved. Though such a sacrifice is impossible, his words reveal the heart of a man consumed by evangelistic zeal. Paul knew salvation was secure and irrevocable, yet his longing for the lost was so intense that he imagined the unthinkable. His grief wasn’t theological—it was personal. Like Moses in Exodus 32:32, who pleaded to be blotted out for Israel’s sake, Paul’s love mirrored the compassion of Christ Himself.
This kind of self-denial is rare. Paul’s desire to give up heaven for the sake of others reminds us of his words in Philippians 1:23–24, where he wrestles between his desire to be with Christ and his calling to remain for the sake of the church. His life was not his own—it was poured out for others. And yet, even Paul knew he couldn’t bear the curse of sin for anyone. Only Jesus could do that. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). What Paul and Moses could only wish, Jesus accomplished. He didn’t just imagine bearing the curse—He became it. The cross was not hypothetical. It was real, brutal, and sufficient.
So what does this mean for us? It means our love for the lost must go beyond polite concern. It must be Spirit-driven, sacrificial, and urgent. Paul’s heart broke for his people because he understood that salvation came through the Jewish lineage—through the promises, the covenants, and ultimately through Christ. Israel was not cast aside; they were part of the story. And so are we. Let your heart reflect Paul’s. Let your prayers be filled with names of those who don’t yet know Christ. Let your life be a bridge, not a barrier. And let your love be so deep that, if it were possible, you’d give up everything—because Jesus already did.
“The apostle here expresses the strongest possible affection for his countrymen. He was willing to suffer anything, even the loss of the favor of Christ, if by such suffering he could secure their salvation.” – Charles Hodge
surrendered devotions 