Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
The Yearning of the Apostle's Heart after Israel's Salvation All the Greater by Reason of their Religious Zeal (Romans 10:1-2)
Brethren, my heart's ('my own,' or 'my very heart's') desire, х eudokia (G2107) tees (G3588) emees (G1699) kardias (G2588)]. The word here rendered "desire" expresses 'entire complacency' (see the note at Matthew 11:26) - that in which the heart would experience full satisfaction.
And prayer to God for Israel -`for them,' is beyond doubt the true reading; the subject being continued And prayer to God for Israel - `for them,' is beyond doubt the true reading; the subject being continued from the close of the preceding chapter. At the commencement of a church lesson it would be natural to insert the catch-word "for Israel," and thus it would creep into the text.
That they might be saved, х eis (G1519) sooteerian (G4991)] - 'for [their] salvation! Having before poured forth the anguish of his soul at the general unbelief of his nation and its dreadful consequences (Romans 9:1-3), he here expresses in the most emphatic terms his desire and prayer for their salvation.