English Standard Version
Romans 9:11
11though 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—
Romans 9:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)(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;)
- New International Version (NIV)Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:
- New King James Version (NKJV)(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),
- New Living Translation (NLT)But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes;
Context of Romans 9:11
9For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son." 10And 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— 12she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
Read all of Romans 9Romans 9:11 word by word
μήπω γὰρ γεννηθέντων μηδὲ πραξάντων τι ἀγαθὸν ἢ φαῦλον, ἵνα ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις τοῦ θεοῦ μένῃ,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- beingγεννάωgennaō · to begetG1080
- not yetμήπωmēpō · not yetG3380
- neitherμηδέmēde · norG3366
- having doneπράσσωprassō · to do/requireG4238
- anyτιςtis · oneG5100
- goodἀγαθόςagathos · goodG18
- orἤē · orG2228
- evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- the purposeπρόθεσιςprothesis · purposeG4286
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- according toκατάkata · according toG2596
- electionἐκλογήeklogē · selectingG1589
- might standμένωmenō · to stayG3306
- notοὐou · noG3756
- ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- worksἔργονergon · workG2041
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- him that callethκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
Cross-references for Romans 9:11
- Romans 4:17as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
- Psalms 51:5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
- Ephesians 2:3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
- Romans 8:28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- Isaiah 14:24The Lord of hosts has sworn: "As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,
- Isaiah 23:9The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.
- Isaiah 46:10declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'
- Jeremiah 51:29The land trembles and writhes in pain, for the Lord's purposes against Babylon stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.
- Ephesians 1:9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
- Ephesians 3:11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
- 2 Timothy 1:9who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
- Romans 11:5So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
- Ephesians 1:4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
- 1 Thessalonians 1:4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
- 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
- Romans 11:6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Commentaries on Romans 9:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11For the children being not yet born - As the word children is not in the text, the word nations would be more proper; for it is of nations that the apostle speaks, as the following verses show, as well as the history to which he refers. Neither having done any good - To merit the distinction of being made the peculiar people of God; nor evil, to deserve to be left out of this covenant, and the distinguishing national blessings which it conferred; that the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-13Verses 6-13 The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but God therein wrought according to the counsel of his own will. God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in sin, by nature children…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-11twins were born: There were no human differences between Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau. They were born to the same mother, and they were conceived at the same time. Nothing about their birth set one apart from the other. Paul argues that the difference between them came from God’s choice, not from human actions or circumstances.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-1310-13. And not only this; but when Rebecca, &c.--It might be thought that there was a natural reason for preferring the child of Sarah, as being Abraham's true and first wife, both to the child of Hagar, Sarah's maid, and to the children of Keturah, his second wife. But there could be no such reason in the case of Rebecca, Isaac's only wife; for the choice of her son Jacob was the choice of one of two sons by the same mother and of the younger in…Read the comment
- Calvin’s Commentaries · v. 1111. For when the children, etc. He now begins to ascend higher, even to show the cause of this difference, which he teaches us is nowhere else to be found except in the election of God. He had indeed before briefly noticed, that there was a difference between the natural children of Abraham, that though all were adopted by circumcision into a participation of the covenant, yet the grace of God was not effectual in them all; and hence that they, who enjoy…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 9:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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