Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 9:6 - 9:13
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rom_9:6-13
6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "through Isaac your descendants will be named." 8That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son." 10And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger." 13Just as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
Rom_9:6 "the word of God" In this context this phrase refers to the OT covenantal promises. God's promises are sure (cf. Num_23:19; Jos_21:45; Jos_23:14; 2Ki_10:10; Isa_40:8; Isa_55:11; Isa_59:21).
NASB, NRSV,
TEV, NJB "has failed"
NKJV "has taken no effect"
This term (ekpiptô) was used in the Septuagint several times for something (cf. Isa_6:13) or someone (cf. Isa_14:12) falling. Here it is a perfect active indicative, which denotes a state of being with lasting results (but it is negated). See note above for the surety of God's word.
NASB "For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel"
NKJV "For they are not all Israel who are of Israel"
NRSV "For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel"
TEV "For not all the people of Israel are the people of God"
NJB "Not all those who descend from Israel are Israel"
The meaning of this paradoxical statement revolves around the different biblical meanings of the term "Israel."
1. Israel, meaning Jacob's descendants (cf. Gen_32:22-32)
2. Israel, meaning the elect people of God (cf. TEV)
3. spiritual Israel, Israel meaning the church, (cf. Gal_6:16; 1Pe_2:8-9; Rev_1:6) versus natural Israel (cf. Rom_9:3-6)
Only some of Abraham's children were the children of promise (cf. Rom_9:7). Even the Jews were never right with God based solely on their lineage (cf. Rom_9:7), but on their faith (cf. Rom_2:28-29; Rom_4:1 ff.; Joh_8:31-59; Gal_3:7-9; Gal_4:23). It was the believing remnant (see Special Topic at Rom_9:27-28) who received God's promises and walked in them by faith (cf. Rom_9:27; Rom_11:5).
Rom_9:6 starts a series of supposed objections (cf. Rom_9:14; Rom_9:19; Rom_9:30; Rom_11:1). This continues Paul's diatribe format. It conveys truth by means of a supposed objector (i.e., Mal_1:2; Mal_1:6-7 [twice],12,13; Rom_2:14; Rom_2:17 [twice]; Rom_3:7; Rom_3:13-14).
Rom_9:7 The second half of this verse is a quote from Gen_21:12 d. Not all of Abraham's children were children of God's covenant promise (cf. Gen_12:1-3; Gen_15:1-11; Gen_17:1-21; Gen_18:1-15; Gal_4:23). This shows the distinction between Ishmael and Isaac in Rom_9:8-9, and Jacob and Esau in Rom_9:10-11.
Rom_9:8 Here Paul is using the term "flesh" to refer to national descent (cf. Rom_1:3; Rom_4:1; Rom_9:3; Rom_9:5, see Special Topic at Rom_1:3). He is contrasting the natural children of Abraham (the Jews of Rom_9:3) with the spiritual children (children of the promise) of Abraham (those who will trust God's promised Messiah by faith, cf. Rom_2:28-29). This is not the same contrast as Rom_8:4-11, fallen mankind versus redeemed mankind.
Rom_9:9 This is a quote from Gen_18:10; Gen_18:14. The promised child ("the seed") will come from Sarah at God's initiative. This eventually will culminate in the birth of the Messiah. Isaac was a special fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham in Gen_12:1-3 thirteen years earlier.
Rom_9:10 The wives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were barren; they could not conceive. Their inability to have a child was one of God's ways to show that He was in control of the covenant promises, the Messianic line.
The other way was that the true Messianic line never proceeds through the oldest son of the Patriarchs (which was culturally expected). The key is God's choice (cf. Rom_9:11-12).
Rom_9:11-12 Rom_9:11-12 are one sentence in Greek. This account is taken from Gen_25:19-34. This example is used to prove that God's choice (cf. Rom_9:16), not (1) human lineage or (2) human merit or achievements (cf. Rom_9:16). This is the new mechanism of the gospel, the new covenant (cf. Jer_31:31-34; Eze_36:22-36). However, it must be remembered that God's choice was not meant to exclude, but to include! The Messiah will come from a select seed, but He will come for all (who exercise faith, cf. Rom_2:28-29; Rom_4:3; Rom_4:22-25; Romans 10).
Rom_9:11 "purpose" This is the compound term pro plus tithçmi, which has several senses.
1. in Rom_3:25
a. set forth publicly
b. propitiatory gift
2. to plan beforehand
a. of Paul, Rom_1:13
b. of God, Eph_1:9
The noun form (prothesis), used in this text, means "to set before"
1. used of the shewbread in the temple, Mat_12:4; Mar_2:26; Luk_6:4
2. used of a predetermined, redemptive purpose of God, Rom_8:28; Rom_9:11; Eph_1:5; Eph_1:11; Eph_3:10; 2Ti_1:9; 2Ti_3:10
Paul uses several compound terms with the preposition pro (before) in Romans 8, 9 of Romans and Ephesians 1 (they show God's planned activity).
1. proginôskô (foreknew), Rom_8:29
2. proorizô (design beforehand), Rom_8:29 (Eph_1:5; Eph_1:11), 30 (Eph_1:9)
3. prothesis (predetermined purpose), Rom_9:11
4. proetoimazô (preface beforehand), Rom_9:23
5. prolegô (previously said), Rom_9:29
6. proelpizô (hoped beforehand), Eph_1:12)
Rom_9:12 This is a quote from the prophecy of Gen_25:23 related to Esau and Jacob. This shows that Rebekah and Jacob acted out of prophecy, not personal gain, in tricking Isaac in regard to the blessing!
Rom_9:13 "but Esau I hated" This is a quote from Mal_1:2-3. "Hate" is a Hebrew idiom of comparison. It sounds harsh in English, but compare Gen_29:31-33; Deu_21:15; Mat_10:37-38; Luk_14:26; and Joh_12:25. The anthropomorphic terms "love" and "hate" relate not to God's emotions towards these individuals, but His commitment to a Messianic line and promise. Jacob was the son of promise based on the prophecy of Gen_25:23. Esau, in Mal_1:2-3, referred to the nation of Edom (the descendant of Esau).
hyperlink