Paul's Heart Desire and Prayer for Israel

Although Paul acknowledged in Romans 9 that the salvation of his kinsmen was a matter of God's sovereign choice, he expressed his heartfelt desire and prayers for their salvation. Thus, Paul did not view God's sovereignty over salvation as a reason not to plead and pray for the lost. But rather, he expressed his heart and prayers for the lost in hopes that God might use his compassion and prayers for them as a powerful means of extending the gospel of Christ to them. In addition, while Paul acknowledges that his kinsmen were zealous beyond most men in their attempts to obtain righteousness through law-keeping, they still fell far short of the truth in failing to comprehend that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for anyone who believes. This is the heart of the gospel message.