Paul’s Anguish Over Israel
9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised![a] Amen.
Paul lamented the situation of his people, the Jews. They had been God's people, but they clung to the past and refused to accept the new path to salvation that God and offered to them first, and then to the gentiles. It's like he was saying the the Jews owned the land where there was a spring, but still went to a far neighboring town to fetch water. It's sad.
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