Romans 9:10-14
And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The text emphasizes that Rebekah conceived twins by one man, Isaac, highlighting that this choice wasn't due to differences in parentage like Ishmael and Isaac, but occurred within the very core of the promised line. This sets the stage for an even more startling divine selection within the same womb, proving God's choice isn't based on natural lineage or earthly privilege.
Paul moves from Abraham's sons to Isaac's twins, highlighting that even within the direct line of promise, God's choice wasn't based on natural descent alone. Rebekah conceived both Jacob and Esau from Isaac, yet God's predetermined purpose favored the younger son, Jacob, even before they were born or had done anything to earn such a distinction. This example sets the stage to argue that God's selection is based on His sovereign will, not human merit.
Paul is building a powerful argument about God's sovereign choice. After mentioning Ishmael and Isaac, he moves to an even more compelling example. Why is this next case so crucial for his point?
The apostle Paul uses the story of Jacob and Esau to demonstrate that God's selection isn't based on natural lineage or outward circumstances. While Ishmael and Isaac shared only one parent (Abraham), and Ishmael was born of a servant, Jacob and Esau were twins, born of the same father (Isaac) and the same mother (Rebekah), and to a lawful wife.
This pairing is vital because it removes potential objections. If God's choice could be questioned in the Ishmael/Isaac case due to Ishmael's parentage or circumstances, the Jacob/Esau story leaves no room for such arguments. They were in every outward sense equally 'children of Abraham' and 'children of Isaac,' yet God chose the younger, Jacob, and passed over the elder, Esau.
This sets the stage for Paul's main point: God's sovereign choice operates independently of human lineage or perceived merit.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Romans 9:10-14 is available in the Sola app.
Rebekah's womb held twins, yet their destinies diverged dramatically. How can children conceived at the same time, from the same parents, experience such different paths?
The phrase 'conceived by one, our forefather Isaac' is packed with meaning. It emphasizes that Jacob and Esau shared the same biological origin from Isaac. Yet, Paul immediately links this to the profound truth that their ultimate destinies were divinely appointed before they were born and before they had done anything to earn or forfeit God's favor.
This isn't about a difference in the act of conception, but about the sovereign will of God operating within that conception. The fact that they were 'by one' (Isaac) underscores that the choice wasn't random or based on external factors outside the family, but an internal divine decision within the lineage of promise.
Paul uses this to dismantle the idea that God's selection is based on human merit, works, or any observable quality. The choice was made in the womb, highlighting God's absolute prerogative to choose.
Understand the original words
Ribqah · Hebrew Noun
The wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. Her role highlights the sovereign choice of God within the history of the patriarchs.
eklogē · Greek Noun
The divine decree by which God, before the foundation of the world, sovereignly chose certain individuals for salvation and adoption, based solely on His grace and not on foreseen merits or works.
ergon · Greek Noun
Actions or deeds performed by humans, which in a biblical context are often contrasted with faith or grace as a means of justification before God.
kaleō · Greek Verb
The divine act of summoning or inviting individuals to participate in the kingdom of God, often synonymous with the effective call of God that brings about salvation.
adikia · Greek Noun
The state of being righteous, fair, or morally upright; in Scripture, it refers to the character of God who always acts in accordance with His holy nature.
Paul uses the story of Rebekah's twins, Jacob and Esau, to powerfully illustrate that God's choosing of people for His purposes isn't based on human lineage or merit, but on His sovereign will, even within the same family.
c. 1890 BC
Abraham's Covenant Renewed
God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, promising that his descendants will inherit the land and that through them all nations will be blessed. Isaac is specifically named as the son through whom this lineage will continue.
c. 1870 BC
Birth of Ishmael and Isaac
Ishmael is born to Abraham and Hagar, a servant, while Isaac, the son of promise through Abraham's wife Sarah, is born later. The distinction between these two sons is already significant.
c. 1830 BC
Isaac Marries Rebekah
Isaac, the son of promise, marries Rebekah, fulfilling the lineage established in God's covenant.
c. 1830 BC— this verse
Rebekah Conceives Twins
Rebekah becomes pregnant with twins, Jacob and Esau. The struggle within her womb signals a divine intention for distinction between them.
c. 1830 BC
God Declares Election of Jacob
Before Jacob and Esau are born, God reveals to Rebekah that 'the elder shall serve the younger,' indicating a sovereign choice for Jacob over Esau, despite Esau being born first.
c. 1830 BC
Birth of Jacob and Esau
Esau is born first, followed closely by his twin brother Jacob. Their lives would go on to illustrate the divine election and separation Paul discusses.
This passage is the direct prophecy given to Rebekah about her twins, explicitly stating 'the two nations will be separated from your body; and one people will be stronger than the other; and the older will serve the younger,' directly illuminating Paul's argument here.
Genesis 27:1-29This chapter shows the human maneuvering and deception surrounding the transfer of the patriarchal blessing from Esau to Jacob, demonstrating the fulfillment of the prophecy given in Genesis 25:23 and underscoring God's sovereign choice over human plans.
Malachi 1:2-3The prophet Malachi quotes God Himself stating, 'Was not Esau the brother of Jacob? declares the Lord. Yet I have loved Jacob but hated Esau,' directly referencing the Jacob and Esau narrative to establish God's sovereign, unconditional election and rejection.
Romans 9:11-13These verses immediately follow the text in question and explicitly unpack the significance of the Rebekah narrative, stating that God's purpose according to election depends not on works but on His calling, using the Jacob and Esau example to prove this point.
gillRomans 9:10: "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;"
And not only this,.... This instance of Ishmael and Isaac, is not the only one, proving that Abraham's natural seed, the children of the flesh, are not all children, the children of God: but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac, "it was said unto her", Romans 9:12, being in a parenthesis, "the elder shall serve the younger". The apostle was aware, that the Jews wou…
pulpitRomans 9:10: "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;"
Verse 10. - But not only this; but Rebecca also, when she had conceived by one, even by Isaac our father. The sentence thus begun is not formally completed, being taken up - after the parenthetical ver. 11 - by "It was said unto her" in ver. 12.
The text emphasizes that Rebekah conceived twins by one man, Isaac, highlighting that this choice wasn't due to differences in parentage like Ishmael and Isaac, but occurred within the very core of the promised line. This sets the stage for an even more startling divine selection within the same womb, proving God's choice isn't based on natural lineage or earthly privilege.
Paul moves from Abraham's sons to Isaac's twins, highlighting that even within the direct line of promise, God's choice wasn't based on natural descent alone. Rebekah conceived both Jacob and Esau from Isaac, yet God's predetermined purpose favored the younger son, Jacob, even before they were born or had done anything to earn such a distinction. This example sets the stage to argue that God's selection is based on His sovereign will, not human merit.
Paul moves from Abraham's sons to Isaac's twins, highlighting that even within the direct line of promise, God's choice wasn't based on natural descent alone. Rebekah conceived both Jacob and Esau from Isaac, yet God's predetermined purpose favored the younger son, Jacob, even before they were born or had done anything to earn such a distinction. This example sets the stage to argue that God's selection is based on His sovereign will, not human merit.
"And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of wo…" — The text emphasizes that Rebekah conceived twins by one man, Isaac, highlighting that this choice wasn't due to differences in parentage like Ishmael and Isaac, but occurred within the very core of…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
