Having rejoiced at the end of chapter 8 in the truth that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Paul now expresses sorrow for his fellow Jews who have not trusted in Christ. Their reliance on their religious privilege is not an expression of faith. We too can rely all too easily on the Christian heritage of our nation or our families but this also is not enough for salvation. Christ is the only way, though sadly he remains for some a stumbling block.