Ethical Dilemma: Reflecting on Paul and Israel
Paul the Apostle makes an interesting statement regarding biological Israel, his brothers according the flesh. This statement also raises an interesting, although very hypothetical, ethical dilemma. While discussing divine election, God’s will, and the future of biological Israel, Paul says regarding his unbelieving kinsmen:
“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen (Romans 9:1–4).
The ethical dilemma is presented in verse three. Paul says that he would cut himself off from Christ if it meant his fellow Israelites could be grafted into their Messiah. It seems that Paul is saying that he would suffer damnation if it meant the salvation of his brothers. Most people look over the implications of Paul’s longing because it is impossible to damn oneself to save another. Let’s entertain the hypothetical.
Is Paul’s desire that he be cut off so that Israel might be saved a righteous desire? Without doubt, the desire that his brothers be saved is a good thing for which to long. However, did something immoral creep into Paul’s heart with the drastic extent to which he would be willing to go?
In one sense, the reader may see comparisons to Paul’s desire and Christ’s actions. Christ did die and descend into Hades as the Apostle’s Creed says. By his actual death and resurrection, many are made righteous. So, in one sense, we may say that Paul’s desire was good (although impossible). After all, Jesus did say, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12–13).
On the other hand, how can it be morally right to wish God’s wrath to be poured out on oneself? To be cut off from God is to be lost and to be dead in sin. It is to be under God’s wrath without grace, mercy, or faith. And Paul says later in his letter to the Romans that “whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (14:23).
At this point, the student must recognize the complex nature of man in order to understand Paul’s statement. Paul, being a redeemed sinner, was a complex amalgam of righteous and fallen. Even the most righteous action is tainted by the sin nature for the born-again human. Paul, being an author of inspired Scripture, is authoritative despite his ongoing battle with sin at the time of his writing. Scripture is both earthly and heavenly. As such, the reader sees elements of both the human author and the divine author. In this quote of Paul’s, we are seeing the dualistic nature of what it means to be Paul – both a holy apostle and a man battling the sin nature. Paul’s statement that he would be cut off for the sake of Israel reveals a righteous desire to show sacrificial love as Christ did. It shows a disregard for vain selfishness and a longing to serve others. It also demonstrates a strong connection with humanity. Paul did not view himself as higher than his kinsmen. He was willing to suffer for the sake of the group.
Contrarily, Paul’s desire shows that he viewed union with God as secondary to the salvation of others. Union of God for the purposes of God is the chief end of man. As the Westminster Catechism says, the goal of man is to “glorify God and enjoy him forever.” That being said, Paul, in his intense longing, briefly forsook his chief end. He is not the savior. He should not desire to be the savior but to be LIKE the savior. This is a subtle form of pride which all believers must confront. In our longing to be one with Christ, have we desired to be Christ himself – to be God? This is a noble and understandable pride. Regardless, it is still pride, trust in oneself instead of in God.
This brief exploration is not meant to be the final word on this passage. Furthermore, the infallibility of Scripture is not meant to be questioned by examining the ethical life of Paul. Finally, it is recognized that Paul’s expression may simply be a hyperbole. Nonetheless, exploring Romans 9:3 in this way may help the student of God reflect on some more nuanced ethical concerns.
Mitchell D. Cochran is a family life educator, a financial coach, and a biblical counselor. He is the cofounder of Hope Initiative Consulting, LLC. and is currently attending Calvary University for his M.A. in biblical counseling. Mitchell is active in local politics in Lubbock, TX, where he lives with his wife, Katherine.
