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the moment, a full structural analysis of these chapters. Let us be content at the
beginning with the barest outline. We can full in the detail as we learn more.
Romans 9:-11:
A tentative outline.
A | 9: 1-5. Sorrow.
Doxology. "Over all (panton), God blessed unto the ages" (9: 5).
B | 9: 6-29. The Remnant saved. Mercy on some.
Corrective as to "all Israel" (9: 6).
C | 9: 30 - 11: 10. The Stumbling stone. | The Lord of all that believe.
Christ the end of the law. | No difference.
B | 9: 11-32. All Israel saved. Mercy on them all.
Corrective as to the Remnant (11: 1-5).
A | 11: 33-35. Sorrow.
Doxology: "Of Him, through Him, and to Him are all things (ta panta).
To Him be glory unto the ages" (11: 36).
We must now turn our attention to the opening words of chapter 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" (Rom. 9: 1-3).
The apostle realized only too keenly that in fulfilling his mission as an apostle to the
Gentiles, he laid himself open to the false charge of indifference to the fate of his own
people, Israel. When, therefore, he begins this section dealing with their failure and
removal, he feels impelled to use the strongest language to demonstrate his deep concern
for his brethren according to the flesh. Hence the oath-like form of his opening words:
"I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the
Holy Ghost."
The Companion Bible draws attention to the fact that the words "I could wish" in the
profound sentence "I could wish myself accursed from Christ" are a translation of the
Imperfect, and should therefore read: "I used to wish." The Companion Bible further
remarks that the statement is in the form of the figure Anamnesis or "Recollection", the
apostle recalling his attitude in the past. This, of course, is very different from the
teaching on the surface of the A.V. rendering, namely, that Paul actually wished at the
time that he write that he could be accursed from Christ. Further, the apostle had just
penned the conviction that nothing in heaven or hell could separate him from the love of
God (Rom. 8: 39). It is only fair, however, to the reader to say that a number of great
expositors hold that the apostle, in the depth of his feeling, uttered words that would be a
true index of his heart, even though his head would have to deny them. This is termed
the "potential rendering". The apostle does not say that he "desired" this, but that he
"could desire" it if it were permissible, such was his love for his people.