Sunday, September 27 I have great grief and unceasing pain in my heart.​—Rom. 9:2.

[Áine]

Sunday, September 27

I have great grief and unceasing pain in my heart.—Rom. 9:2.

 

Paul felt discouraged by the Jews’ negative reaction to the Kingdom message. Even so, he did not give up on them. Note what he further said in his letter to the Christians in Rome about his feelings toward those Jews: “The goodwill of my heart and my supplication to God for them are indeed for their salvation. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge.” (Rom. 10:1, 2) Paul stated why he kept on preaching to the Jews. He was moved by “the goodwill of [his] heart.” It was his heart’s desire that some Jews would find salvation. (Rom. 11:13, 14) He implored God in prayer to help individual Jews to accept the Kingdom message. Paul added: “They have a zeal for God.” He saw a potential for good in people. Zeal, if properly directed, can transform sincere individuals into zealous disciples of Christ, as Paul well knew. w18.05 13 ¶4;15-16 ¶13-14