Romans 9:3 : For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh. Ever since Paul became a Chris-tian the Jews had shamefully and cruelly persecuted him. Even the Judaizing Christians had been bitter toward him yet he had the tenderest of feelings toward his kinsmen according to the flesh. He did not actually wish himself to be anathema from Christ for his brethren's sake, for had he given up Christ it would not have brought his kinsmen to Christ; but he could so wish, if it would do any good, if it would save his kinsmen.