Romans 9:2
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 11
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μεγάλη
great
G3173
μεγάλη
great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
5 of 11
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Philippians 3:18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:Psalms 119:136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.Jeremiah 13:17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.Lamentations 3:51Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.Jeremiah 9:1Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!Ezekiel 9:4And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Historical Context
Paul's sorrow mirrors Moses (Exodus 32:32) and anticipates Christ's weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). First-century Judaism saw Israel's covenant status as unshakeable—their mass rejection of Messiah created theological crisis requiring chapters 9-11 to resolve.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's 'continual sorrow' challenge caricatures of Reformed theology as emotionally cold?
- What causes you unceasing grief in your spiritual life or for others?
- How can belief in God's sovereignty intensify (rather than diminish) evangelistic passion?
Analysis & Commentary
Great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart (lypē megalē kai adialeiptos odynē, λύπη μεγάλη καὶ ἀδιάλειπτος ὀδύνη)—the language intensifies: 'great grief' and 'unceasing anguish.' The adjective adialeiptos means 'without intermission,' the same word Paul uses for unceasing prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). His sorrow over Israel is as constant as his devotion to Christ.
This verse reveals the pastoral heart of election theology. Far from producing cold determinism, God's sovereignty moved Paul to unrelenting intercession and evangelistic zeal (10:1). The doctrine that makes God most sovereign makes his servants most passionate for the lost. True Calvinism weeps.