Romans 9:11-13
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The crucial detail here is that Jacob and Esau "had done nothing either good or bad." This isn't just about their age; it's emphasizing that God's choice was made before any character could even be formed, highlighting that His purpose of election is rooted entirely in Himself, not in anything observable in us.
Paul is explaining God's sovereign choice in salvation, moving from the broad rejection of Israel to specific examples. He uses the story of Jacob and Esau, twins who hadn't yet done anything good or bad, to show that God's selection wasn't based on human actions or merit, but on His own unchangeable purpose from before time. This is to establish that God's plan for salvation is entirely His initiative, not dependent on anything we do.
Why does God choose one person over another? It seems unfair, especially when those chosen haven't done anything to earn it. This verse dives deep into that very question.
Paul is illustrating a profound truth about God's sovereign choice. When God declared that Jacob would be favored over Esau, it wasn't based on anything they had already done or would do. They were not yet born and had done neither good nor evil.
Divine Purpose Over Human Merit
The key here is in order that God’s purpose of election might continue. This highlights that God's plan, His selection (election), is the driving force. It's not a reward for good behavior or a punishment for bad, but a continuation of His own unchangeable plan.
Not Based on Works
The verse explicitly states not because of works but because of him who calls. This is a radical departure from human thinking. We tend to believe that good deeds earn favor. But here, Paul shows that God's choice is rooted in His own will and His call, not in anything external to Himself or in the actions of the chosen.
We often think we choose God. But what if God's choosing is the primary action? This verse points to a God who initiates and sustains His plan.
The phrase because of him who calls is incredibly significant. It points to the ultimate source and authority behind God's election: God Himself. His call is what establishes His purpose, not the other way around.
God's Initiative
This isn't about us finding God; it's about God finding us. The emphasis is on God's active role (him who calls). He is the one making the decision, setting His purpose in motion, and extending His invitation.
Immutable Purpose
Understand the original words
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.
This passage anchors Paul's argument about God's sovereign election in the very conception of Jacob and Esau. The choice wasn't based on any action they'd taken, but on God's purpose, showing that His selection of individuals and nations rests solely on His own will and calling, not human merit.
c. 1800 BC
Birth of Isaac
Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, is born, representing the line through which God's covenant promise would continue.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac and Rebekah's struggle
Rebekah, Isaac's wife, is barren for many years, and Isaac prays to the Lord for her. The Lord answers his prayer, and she conceives twins.
c. 1750 BC— this verse
Divine prophecy to Rebekah
As the twins struggle within her womb, Rebekah inquires of the Lord, who tells her, 'Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you; the older will serve the younger.'
c. 1750 BC
Birth of Jacob and Esau
Esau is born first, with Jacob grasping his heel. The twins represent contrasting destinies, foreshadowing God's sovereign choice.
This is the foundational Old Testament passage that Paul is referencing, where God declares that 'two nations are in your womb' and the 'elder shall serve the younger,' directly illustrating the concept of God's election before the children had done anything.
Malachi 1:2-3Paul uses this prophetic passage to underscore the point that God 'loved Jacob' and 'hated Esau' (interpreted as favoring Jacob and disfavoring Esau's lineage), further supporting the idea of God's sovereign choice independent of human actions or merit.
Matthew 20:15-16Jesus uses a similar parable about laborers in a vineyard to illustrate God's sovereign right to distribute His blessings as He pleases, echoing the theme that God's generosity is not bound by human works or expectations.
Ephesians 1:4-5This passage speaks of God choosing believers in Christ 'before the foundation of the world,' reinforcing the idea that God's plan of election is rooted in His own purpose and not in anything we have done, mirroring the pre-birth choice of Jacob.
John 15:16Jesus tells His disciples, 'You did not choose me, but I chose you,' directly connecting to Paul's argument that the divine choice is primary, not a response to human initiative or merit.
meyerRomans 9:11: "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)"
Romans 9:11-12 . Although, forsooth, they were not yet born, and had not done anything good or evil, in order that the purpose of God according to election might have its continued subsistence, not from works, but from Him who calls, it was said to her , etc. μήπω ] not οὔπω , because the negative relation i…
pulpitRomans 9:11: "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)"
Verses 11-13. - For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election (i.e. the principle of his electing to privileges of his own good will and purpose, and not on the ground of any fancied human claims) might stand (μένῃ, i.e. should remain…
The crucial detail here is that Jacob and Esau "had done nothing either good or bad." This isn't just about their age; it's emphasizing that God's choice was made before any character could even be formed, highlighting that His purpose of election is rooted entirely in Himself, not in anything observable in us.
Paul is explaining God's sovereign choice in salvation, moving from the broad rejection of Israel to specific examples. He uses the story of Jacob and Esau, twins who hadn't yet done anything good or bad, to show that God's selection wasn't based on human actions or merit, but on His own unchangeable purpose from before time. This is to establish that God's plan for salvation is entirely His initiative, not dependent on anything we do.
Paul is explaining God's sovereign choice in salvation, moving from the broad rejection of Israel to specific examples. He uses the story of Jacob and Esau, twins who hadn't yet done anything good or bad, to show that God's selection wasn't based on human actions or merit, but on His own unchangeable purpose from before time. This is to establish that God's plan for salvation is entirely His initiative, not dependent on anything we do.
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Paul is using the example of Jacob and Esau to demonstrate that God's purpose, once set, is firm and unwavering. The fact that the choice was made before they did anything good or bad underscores that it wasn't dependent on any changing human factor. It rests solely on God's eternal decree and His act of calling.
c. 1730 BC
Esau sells his birthright
Esau, hungry and weary, carelessly sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew, demonstrating his disregard for its significance.
c. 1725 BC
Jacob receives Isaac's blessing
Through deception, Jacob obtains the patriarchal blessing intended for Esau, further securing his position as the inheritor of the covenant promises.
c. 500 BC
Malachi prophesies
The prophet Malachi speaks of God's love for Jacob (Israel) and hatred for Esau (Edom), highlighting God's ongoing preferential treatment of His chosen people.
"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 wri…" — The crucial detail here is that Jacob and Esau "had done nothing either good or bad." This isn't just about their age; it's emphasizing that God's choice was made before any character could even be f…
