10:1 Brethren, - Adelfoi - “This expression seems intended particularly for the Jews, his ancient friends, fellow-worshipers, and kinsmen, but Who had embraced the Christian faith. It is an expression of tenderness and affection, denoting his deep interest in their welfare. Barnes

my heart's desire - h men eudokia thV emhV kardiaV -

and prayer - kai h dehsiV - petition, request or supplication, want, beg, etc.

to God - proV ton qeon - before the face of God

for Israel is, - over or above Israel, as in a blanket of prayer for protection and safety.

that they might be saved. - estin eiV swthrian - cf. Rom. 9:1-5


10:2 For I bear them record - mapturw -

that they have a zeal of God, - oti zhlon qeou exousin - ardor, fervent in mind, jealous

They believe the law to have originated from God himself, they are jealous of the glory of th law and its excellence; they conscientiously observe all its rites and ceremonies, etc.

And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. John 2:16-17

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. John 16:2-3

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 26:9

but not according to knowledge. - failing full discernment, no recognizing the full purpose of the law, and the Messiah who is the fulfillment of that very law.

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, Matt. 23:4-5

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. Psalm 14:4-5

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor. 4:4


10:3 For they being ignorant - not to know through lack of information by implication, to ignore. “The ignorance of the Jews was voluntary” Barnes - Rom. 10:18-21

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. Acts 22:3

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. I Tim. 1:12-13

The Gentiles were no better off than the Jews. The gentiles have the same requirement for salvation. They acted out of ignorance, along with the Jews at the crucifixion of Christ.

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:33-34

of God's righteousness, and going about - to seek (literally or figuratively); or in a bad sense to plot

“Endeavouring to confirm or make valid their own righteousness; to render it such as to constitute a ground of justification before God; or to make good their own claims to eternal life by their merits.” Barnes

to establish their own righteousness, - sthsai - No system of salvation, seeking to honor and glorify God, will ever be based on self-righteousness or personal acclimation. DEM

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:38-40

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phil. 3:4-7

have not submitted themselves - oux upetaghsan - Aor Pass - to put oneself under orders, to obey.

“Confident in their own righteousness, they have not yielded their hearts to a plan which requires them to come confessing that they have no merit, and to be saved by the merit of another. No obstacle to salvation by grace is so great as the self-righteousness of the sinner.” Barnes

unto the righteousness of God.

10:4 For Christ is the end of the law - teloV gar nomou - to set out for a definite point or goal; the point aimed at as a limit, by implication) the conclusion of an act or state, result.   Cf. Rom. 9:31

Where the law ends, Christ begins. The law ends with representative sacrifices; Christ begins with the real offering. The law is our schoolmaster to bring and lead us to Christ; it cannot save, but it leaves us at Christ’s door. Christ as an atoning sacrifice for sin, was the great object of the law. Christ’s death was the fulfillment, object and design of the law. If you separate Christ’s sacrifice and subsequent death from the law, the law has no meaning. Psalm 40:6, 7; Hebrews 10:4-10

“God never designed that the sacrifices of the law should be considered the atonement for sin, but a type or representative of that atonement; and that THE atonement was the sacrifice offered by Christ. Thus he was the END of the law, in respect to its sacrifices. And, as sacrifices were offered merely to procure pardon of sin, righteousness, or justification, Christ is the end of the law for this justification to every one that believeth on him, as dying for their offenses, and rising again for their justification, having made peace through the blood of his cross. Therefore every Jew who rejected Christ rejected salvation.” Adam Clarke's Commentary

for righteousness to every one that believeth. 

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  Galatians 3:24