Romans 9:1-5 - Exegetical Thoughts

 Romans 9:1-5 

9 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Here, in a passage that affirms the hypostatic union (vs. 5), Paul sets up an objection (see vs. 6) to the passage that comes before (8:28-39, esp. 38-39).  After all, Paul has just suggested that all things work together for good to those who are the called and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. What about the bulk of the Jewish people in Paul's day? 

In Romans 9:1-5, Paul acknowledges that most of the Jews of his day are lost, despite having received many blessings from God.  These are people that Paul cares about -- not just because they are fellow human beings, but because they are his relatives.  Moreover, of all the nations on earth, up to that point they had received the greatest spiritual blessings.  If everything works together for good, and if nothing can separate us from the love of God, then how could this befall the nation of Israel?

Paul will return to this point and objection at the start of Romans 11:

Romans 11:1-10

11 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

What follows in Romans 9-10 is connected to this objection, in one way or another.  We are about to discuss Romans 9 in more detail, but Romans 10 itself also picks up the same theme from a different angle:

Romans 10:1-3

10 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.