Romans 9:3
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
αὐτὸς
that myself
G846
αὐτὸς
that myself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀνάθεμα
accursed
G331
ἀνάθεμα
accursed
Strong's:
G331
Word #:
5 of 18
a (religious) ban or (concretely) excommunicated (thing or person)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
7 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
10 of 18
"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
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφῶν
brethren
G80
ἀδελφῶν
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
12 of 18
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συγγενῶν
kinsmen
G4773
συγγενῶν
kinsmen
Strong's:
G4773
Word #:
15 of 18
a relative (by blood); by extension, a fellow countryman
Cross References
Exodus 32:32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.Romans 11:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.Esther 8:6For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?Galatians 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.Acts 13:26Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.1 Corinthians 12:3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.1 Corinthians 16:22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
Historical Context
Paul's offer mirrors Christ's substitutionary atonement—the righteous for the unrighteous. First-century Jews believed Abrahamic descent secured salvation (Matthew 3:9). Paul's radical statement—that he'd forfeit his own salvation for Israel's—shows how seriously he took their unbelief.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Paul's hypothetical self-sacrifice reveal about the character produced by election theology?
- For whom would you be willing to forfeit your salvation if it were possible?
- How does distinguishing 'according to the flesh' vs. spiritual descent reshape our understanding of the church?
Analysis & Commentary
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ—the Greek ēuchomēn anathema einai (ηὐχόμην ἀνάθεμα εἶναι) uses an imperfect verb suggesting 'I was wishing' or 'I could wish if it were possible.' Paul echoes Moses: 'blot me out of thy book' (Exodus 32:32). The term anathema denotes being 'devoted to destruction,' cut off from Christ—the ultimate horror for one who declared 'to live is Christ' (Philippians 1:21).
For my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh—Paul identifies Israel as family (syngenōn, συγγενῶν, 'relatives') while distinguishing physical descent (kata sarka, κατὰ σάρκα) from spiritual. This sets up the coming argument: ethnic Israel alone doesn't guarantee salvation. Yet Paul's willingness to be damned for their sake reveals how election magnifies love, not diminishes it.