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Ordinary Time · Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Romans 9:1-5

Paul's Anguish for Israel

August 9, 2026

The Apostle Paul at His Writing Desk, Rembrandt van Rijn
The Apostle Paul at His Writing Desk, Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1629–30Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg
The old apostle, pen in hand, has risen from his chair and leans over the books on his desk, thinking before he writes; his sword hangs on the wall behind him.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 own people, my kindred.Rembrandt van RijnPainted in Leiden when Rembrandt was about twenty-three, in the years he kept returning to old men as Paul, Peter and the prophets.Germanisches Nationalmuseum, NurembergThe Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg, the largest museum of German art and culture.Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 14:22-33Mt 14:22-33
Second ReadingRom. 9:1-5Rom 9:1-5
First Reading1 Kgs. 19:9a, 11-13a1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a
Responsorial PsalmPs. 85:9a+10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)Ps 85:9a+10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)

Overview & Insights

"I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart." (Romans 9:2)

Paul expresses deep grief over his fellow Israelites' unbelief and lists the privileges God gave them, including the covenants, the law, the worship, the promises, and the Messiah.

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Commentary

Romans 9: God's Sovereign ChoiceRom 9: God's Sovereign Choice Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on Paul's sorrow for Israel and God's election.

Romans 9:1-5 CommentaryRom 9:1-5 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of word studies and cross references on Paul's grief for his kinsmen.

Romans 9:1 CommentariesRom 9:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on Paul's anguish for Israel in one place.

Barnes' Notes on Romans 9Barnes' Notes on Rom 9 StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the whole chapter of Romans 9.

The Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre reads Paul's list of Israel's privileges within the whole of the day's Mass readings.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A): Readings Agape Bible Study

A Catholic reading study that opens Paul's sorrow for his kinsmen according to the flesh.

Background & Word Study

Romans 9:1 Greek InterlinearRom 9:1 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for Paul's opening of Romans 9.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Romans 9Catena on Rom 9 Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on Paul's grief and the privileges of Israel.

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