I tell the truth in Christ, i am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, (2) that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. (3)  For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, (4) who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; (5) of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God.   Amen.

The Apostle Paul expresses his deep affection for his people, Israel.  He appeals to Christ and to his own conscience, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, as witness to his sincerity.  He would submit to be treated as “accursed” if he could rescue his nation from the destruction about to come on them for their unbelief.  Paul lists the advantage Israel has been given as being the chosen, the covenantel people of God.  Despite centuries of divine preparation for the coming of the Messiah, Israel has rejected the gospel.

Paul has been faithful in going first to the Jew but has been rebuffed  by disbelief and has declared himself as apostle to the Gentile.  In Romans, chapter 9, the Apostle Paul makes liberal use of Old Testament quotations both to emphasize the faithfulness of God  and the failure of Jewish unbelief.