Romans 10:1
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Original Language Analysis
Ἀδελφοί
Brethren
G80
Ἀδελφοί
Brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
1 of 20
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
that
G3303
μὲν
that
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
εὐδοκία
desire
G2107
εὐδοκία
desire
Strong's:
G2107
Word #:
4 of 20
satisfaction, i.e., (subjectively) delight, or (objectively) kindness, wish, purpose
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίας
heart's
G2588
καρδίας
heart's
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
7 of 20
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
12 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸν
God
G2316
θεὸν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
15 of 20
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραήλ
Israel
G2474
Ἰσραήλ
Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
17 of 20
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Paul wrote Romans around AD 57 from Corinth, addressing a mixed congregation of Jewish and Gentile believers. The Jerusalem temple still stood, and many Jews continued in unbelief despite witnessing the explosive growth of the church. Paul's own missionary experience included regular synagogue rejection (Acts 13:46; 18:6; 28:25-28), yet he maintained love for his people and hope for their future restoration (Rom 11:25-27).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's prayer for those who rejected him challenge your attitude toward people who oppose the gospel?
- What does it mean to have both doctrinal conviction about God's sovereignty and genuine emotional longing for the lost?
- For whom do you need to pray persistently with <em>eudokia</em> (heart's desire), not merely duty?
Analysis & Commentary
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved—Paul's eudokia (εὐδοκία, "good pleasure, heart's desire") and deēsis (δέησις, "petition, supplication") express both emotional longing and intercessory prayer for his kinsmen's salvation. Despite Israel's rejection of Christ (9:30-33), Paul models Christ-like love for enemies and persistent intercession for the lost. This verse introduces Romans 10's exploration of Israel's stumbling: they pursued righteousness but missed Christ, the goal and fulfillment of the law.
The apostle's pastoral heart mirrors Moses' willingness to be blotted out for Israel (Ex 32:32) and anticipates his statement in Romans 11:14 that he magnifies his ministry to provoke Israel to jealousy. Paul's theology never becomes abstract—doctrine fuels doxology and intercession. His prayer demonstrates that divine sovereignty (chapter 9) does not nullify human responsibility to pray and evangelize.