Romans 9:3

For. This verse does not give the reason for Paul’s sorrow but rather the proof of his sincerity.

I could wish. Literally, “I was wishing,” or “I was praying.” The Greek phrase is an idiomatic expression implying a real but passing wish which has already been resigned as impracticable. The wish was in his mind, the prayer was in his heart, but there were conditions that made the fulfillment impossible. Compare the same idiom in Gal. 4:20.

Accursed. There has been a great deal of discussion as to Paul’s meaning in this strong expression. The simplest solution seems to be in comparing Paul’s wish with Moses’ prayer, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin — ; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written” (Ex. 32:32). God’s reply to Moses shows that such a prayer could not be granted. “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Ex. 32:33).

From. Greek apo, a preposition implying separation.

According to the flesh. That is, the Jews, who were Paul’s brethren by racial relationship. According to the spirit Paul was a member of spiritual Israel, and his spiritual kinsmen were the brethren of the Christian church (cf. Mark 3:33-35).