Romans 9:10 - Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac.
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What does "Romans 9:10" mean?
Romans 9:10, "Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac," is a key verse in Paul's argument about God's sovereign choice. To understand it, we need to break down the verse and consider its context within Romans 9.
"Not only so...": This refers back to Paul's earlier examples. He already discussed God's choosing of Isaac over Ishmael (Romans 9:7-9). So, this new example reinforces his point: God's choice isn't based on lineage or works, but on His own purpose.
"Rebekah also conceived by one...": This introduces the next example, highlighting that Rebekah had twins, both conceived by the same man.
"...by our father Isaac": This is important because it establishes that both Jacob and Esau had the same father. They shared the same genetic and genealogical connection to Abraham through Isaac. This underscores that any differences or destinies weren't because of different parentage or inheritance. They were conceived at the same time and by the same father.
What the Verse Means in the Context of Romans 9
The crux of this verse is to set up the next few verses (Romans 9:11-13). Paul's main point is:
1. God's sovereign choice precedes any actions: "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..." (Romans 9:11). Before Jacob and Esau were even born, God had already made a choice. Their future actions had no bearing on that choice. This is the heart of the argument.
2. "That the older will serve the younger." (Romans 9:12): This quote from Genesis 25:23 reveals God's predetermined plan. Esau, who was born first (and therefore had certain privileges), would serve Jacob, who was born second.
3. "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." (Romans 9:13): This is a controversial verse taken from Malachi 1:2-3. Here, "love" and "hate" are understood in a relative sense. It doesn't necessarily mean God literally hated Esau in the same way we understand hate. Rather, it signifies God's preference for Jacob's line over Esau's. Esau (and his descendants, the Edomites) were not chosen to be the line through which the Messiah would come and through whom God's covenant would be fulfilled.
Why is this important to Paul's argument in Romans?
Paul is dealing with the issue of why many Jews had rejected Jesus as the Messiah. A common objection was: "If we are God's chosen people, why are so many of us rejecting your Messiah? How can God have abandoned his covenant with us?"
Paul's response in Romans 9 is that God's election is always sovereign. God has the right to choose who will be part of His plan of salvation. Being a physical descendant of Abraham does not automatically guarantee salvation. God can choose to show mercy to whomever He wills (Romans 9:15-18).
The verse doesn't teach:
Predestination to damnation: This verse, while supporting God's predestination for a purpose, doesn't mean individuals are predestined to hell apart from their choices.
God is unfair: Paul anticipates this objection (Romans 9:14) and argues against it. His point is that God's ways are higher than our ways, and we, as created beings, cannot fully comprehend God's justice.
In summary, Romans 9:10 sets up the example of Jacob and Esau to illustrate that God's choice is based on His own sovereign will, not on human merit or works. The fact that Rebekah conceived both boys by one man, Isaac, highlights that the difference in their destinies wasn't due to differing genetic origins but to God's preordained purpose.
Romans 9:10 - Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac.
What does "Romans 9:10" mean?
Romans 9:10, "Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac," is a key verse in Paul's argument about God's sovereign choice. To understand it, we need to break down the verse and consider its context within Romans 9.
"Not only so...": This refers back to Paul's earlier examples. He already discussed God's choosing of Isaac over Ishmael (Romans 9:7-9). So, this new example reinforces his point: God's choice isn't based on lineage or works, but on His own purpose.
"Rebekah also conceived by one...": This introduces the next example, highlighting that Rebekah had twins, both conceived by the same man.
"...by our father Isaac": This is important because it establishes that both Jacob and Esau had the same father. They shared the same genetic and genealogical connection to Abraham through Isaac. This underscores that any differences or destinies weren't because of different parentage or inheritance. They were conceived at the same time and by the same father.
What the Verse Means in the Context of Romans 9
The crux of this verse is to set up the next few verses (Romans 9:11-13). Paul's main point is:
1. God's sovereign choice precedes any actions: "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..." (Romans 9:11). Before Jacob and Esau were even born, God had already made a choice. Their future actions had no bearing on that choice. This is the heart of the argument.
2. "That the older will serve the younger." (Romans 9:12): This quote from Genesis 25:23 reveals God's predetermined plan. Esau, who was born first (and therefore had certain privileges), would serve Jacob, who was born second.
3. "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." (Romans 9:13): This is a controversial verse taken from Malachi 1:2-3. Here, "love" and "hate" are understood in a relative sense. It doesn't necessarily mean God literally hated Esau in the same way we understand hate. Rather, it signifies God's preference for Jacob's line over Esau's. Esau (and his descendants, the Edomites) were not chosen to be the line through which the Messiah would come and through whom God's covenant would be fulfilled.
Why is this important to Paul's argument in Romans?
Paul is dealing with the issue of why many Jews had rejected Jesus as the Messiah. A common objection was: "If we are God's chosen people, why are so many of us rejecting your Messiah? How can God have abandoned his covenant with us?"
Paul's response in Romans 9 is that God's election is always sovereign. God has the right to choose who will be part of His plan of salvation. Being a physical descendant of Abraham does not automatically guarantee salvation. God can choose to show mercy to whomever He wills (Romans 9:15-18).
The verse doesn't teach:
Predestination to damnation: This verse, while supporting God's predestination for a purpose, doesn't mean individuals are predestined to hell apart from their choices.
God is unfair: Paul anticipates this objection (Romans 9:14) and argues against it. His point is that God's ways are higher than our ways, and we, as created beings, cannot fully comprehend God's justice.
In summary, Romans 9:10 sets up the example of Jacob and Esau to illustrate that God's choice is based on His own sovereign will, not on human merit or works. The fact that Rebekah conceived both boys by one man, Isaac, highlights that the difference in their destinies wasn't due to differing genetic origins but to God's preordained purpose.