*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: *vvho are Israelites ; to V7h.om pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the cove- nants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises ; ^whoseare the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
As the subject about to be discussed was of all others the most painful and offensive to his Jewish brethren, the apostle approaches it with the greatest caution. He solemnly assures them that he was grieved at heart on their account ; and that his love for them was ardent and disinterested, vs. 1 — 3. Their peculiar privileges he acknowledged and respected. They were highly distinguished by all the advantages connected with the Old