Romans 10:1-3 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Brethren, my heart's desire, &c. Here the apostle proceeds to show the cause of that rejection of the Jews which he had spoken of in the preceding chapter, namely, their rejecting that way of obtaining righteousness and salvation appointed by God. And lest they should suppose he spoke out of prejudice and ill-will to them, he professes his earnest desire for their salvation. And my prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved He would not have prayed for this had they been absolutely reprobated. For I bear them record I am ready to testify, from what I well know of them from my own observation and experience; that they That is, many of them; have a zeal of God A zeal for that worship and service of him instituted by Moses, by which they think to promote his glory; but not according to knowledge Not directed by a proper acquaintance with the true way of becoming righteous, nor of the design of the law. Their zeal was like that of those mentioned John 16:2, who, as Christ predicted, would put his disciples out of the synagogues, and think they did God service by killing them; or like that of Paul, mentioned Philippians 3:6. For being ignorant of God's righteousness Of the purity of his nature, and the spirituality and extent of his holy law, and of the method of becoming righteous appointed by him: and going about That is, striving; to establish their own righteousness The merit of their own works as the ground of their justification, and hope of salvation; have not submitted themselves Have not complied with, but rejected; the righteousness of God The way of becoming righteous which he hath established.