Romans 9:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,

NIV: Not only that, but Rebekah's children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.

NASB: And not only that, but there was also Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;

CSB: And not only that, but Rebekah conceived children through one man, our father Isaac.

NLT: This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins.

KJV: And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

NKJV: And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac

Paul is building an argument that there exists a difference in Israel: between those who are truly Israelites and will receive the promises of God, versus those who are merely born into the nation. He is pulling examples from Israel's history to make his case. His first example was that not all of Abraham's offspring were included in the line of promise, only Isaac.

Now Paul points to Isaac's sons to show that God even picked one twin and not another to receive His covenant promises. Not every single one of Abraham's descendants was made part of the promise of God. There was still an element of God's sovereignty and choice in deciding whom to bless. Paul is emphasizing this point to show that a saving relationship with God is never as simple as merely being born from the right parents.

Isaac's wife Rebekah conceived two children by one man, meaning that she was carrying twins. Only one would carry the promise that was given through Abraham.

Romans 9:1–18 finds Paul heartbroken over the rejection of Christ by his people the Jews. They have been given so much as God's chosen people, and Paul insists that God will keep His promises to Israel. Not everyone born to Israel is truly Israel, though, Paul writes. Specific examples are given to show that God does, in fact, choose those who will receive His blessings. The following passage tackles whether this choice, by God, is fair.

Romans 9 begins with Paul describing his anguish for his people Israel in their rejection of Christ. After describing all the privileges God has given to the Jewish people as a nation, Paul insists that God will keep those promises. However, not every person born to Israel belongs to Israel, he writes. God reserves the right to show mercy to some and not others, as Paul demonstrates from Scripture. God is like a potter who creates some vessels for destruction and others for glory. God has called out His people from both the Gentiles and the Jews to faith in Christ, the stumbling stone.

Romans 8 ended with Paul's grand declaration that nothing can separate those who are in Christ Jesus from the love of God. Romans 9 turns a sharp corner and finds Paul heartbroken that his people, the Jews, have rejected Christ. He insists that God will keep His promises to Israel, but that not everyone born to Israel is truly Israel. God will show mercy to whomever He wishes, calling out His people from both the Jews and the Gentiles to faith in Christ. Romans 10 will find Paul discussing how Jewish people can be saved.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 4/28/2024 11:10:56 PM