Romans 10:1

¶ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Brethren {G80}, my {G1699} heart's {G2588} desire {G2107} and {G2532} prayer {G1162} to {G4314} God {G2316} for {G5228} Israel {G2474} is {G2076}, that {G3303}{G1519} they might be saved {G4991}.

Brothers, my heart’s deepest desire and my prayer to God for Isra’el is for their salvation;

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.

Brethren, my heart’s desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved.

Commentary on Romans 10:1 (KJV)

In Romans 10:1, the Apostle Paul expresses his profound, heartfelt desire and earnest prayer for the salvation of his Jewish kinsmen, the people of Israel. This verse serves as a crucial transition from Paul's theological discussion in Romans chapter 9, where he grapples with God's sovereign choice and Israel's historical unbelief, to the practical outworking of God's plan for salvation through faith in Christ, available to both Jew and Gentile.

Context

Following a complex and often challenging discourse in Romans 9 regarding God's election and Israel's rejection of Jesus as Messiah, Paul pivots to reveal his deep emotional burden. Despite their spiritual blindness and their pursuit of righteousness through the law rather than faith, Paul's love for his people remains unwavering. This verse underscores that God's ultimate desire, and Paul's fervent prayer, is for Israel to embrace the gospel and experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It sets the stage for Paul to explain how Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Key Themes

  • Paul's Fervent Intercession: The phrase "my heart's desire and prayer to God" highlights Paul's intense, personal longing and persistent intercession for Israel. It reflects a deep love and compassion for his own people, even those who opposed him and the gospel.
  • The Priority of Salvation: The ultimate goal of Paul's desire and prayer is "that they might be saved." This emphasizes that spiritual salvation, deliverance from sin and its consequences through faith in Jesus, is the most critical need for all humanity.
  • God's Continuing Desire for Israel: Despite Israel's past and present unbelief, God's plan for them is not abandoned. Paul's prayer aligns with God's own desire, underscoring His persistent love and redemptive purpose for Israel, which is further explored in Romans chapter 11.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "heart's desire" is eudokia (εὐδοκία), which conveys a sense of good pleasure, strong approval, or fervent longing. It's not merely a wish, but a deep, settled purpose and earnest yearning. Coupled with "prayer" (deesis, δέησις), it illustrates Paul's intense spiritual burden and active petitioning before God. The word "saved" is sōteria (σωτηρία), which denotes deliverance, preservation, and spiritual salvation from sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ, leading to eternal life.

Significance and Application

Romans 10:1 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • The Power of Intercessory Prayer: Paul's example encourages us to pray fervently and persistently for the salvation of others, especially those we love or those who are spiritually lost. Our prayers can align with God's will and open doors for the gospel.
  • Compassion for the Unsaved: This verse challenges believers to cultivate a heart of compassion and love for those who do not yet know Christ, even if they are resistant or hostile to the message. Paul's burden for Israel models a selfless concern for souls.
  • God's Universal Call to Salvation: While specifically about Israel, this verse resonates with God's broader desire that all should come to repentance and be saved. It sets the stage for Paul to declare that salvation is available to everyone who believes, regardless of background.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:20

    And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

  • 1 Corinthians 9:22

    To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some.

  • John 5:34

    But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

  • Romans 9:1

    ¶ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

  • Romans 9:3

    For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

  • Exodus 32:13

    Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever.

  • Jeremiah 18:20

    Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, [and] to turn away thy wrath from them.
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