Romans 9 · a question people ask
"For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ" (9:3). What does the verse say of this wish?
Here is all it says. Paul "could wish" it; it is that he himself "were accursed from Christ"; and it is "for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh" (9:3) (tap accursed). The next verses say who his relatives are (9:4-5). These notes say no more of 9:3 than its words. Favor's Exodus 32 sets 9:3 beside Moses's words, "forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written" (Exodus 32:32), and notes that Paul doesn't mention Moses.
The verses
“For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.”
“Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written.””