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Anti-Semitism is nothing new. From the First Crusade of 1096, to the Jews' expulsions from England in 1290, Spain in 1492, and Portugal in 1497, to the Nazi Holocaust, as well as several other instances, there has been a long-standing suspicion and even hatred of the Jewish people. In fact, there are some leaders around today who would love to see Israel wiped off the map. There have even been assertions that the mainstream media has shown a bias against Israel (assertions I will neither attack nor defend).
Contrast that attitude to Paul's in this passage. Although he is now a Christian, his love for the Jewish people is still very evident: "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" (vv. 3-4).
Contrast that attitude to Paul's in this passage. Although he is now a Christian, his love for the Jewish people is still very evident: "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" (vv. 3-4).
