Romans 9:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 9:6-13

The apostle, having made his way to that which he had to say, concerning the rejection of the body of his countrymen, with a protestation of his own affection for them and a concession of their undoubted privileges, comes in these verses, and the following part of the chapter, to prove that the rejection of the Jews, by the establishment of the gospel dispensation, did not at all invalidate the word of God's promise to the patriarchs: Not as though the word of God hath taken no effect (Rom.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 9:7-13

9:7-13 But it is not as though the word of God had been completely frustrated. For not all who belong to the race of Israel are really Israel; nor are all really children because they can claim physical descent from Abraham. On the contrary, it is written: "In Isaac will your descendants be called." That is to say, it is not the children who can claim merely physical descent who are really the children of God. No! It is the children of the promise who are reckoned as the true descendants of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:12

It was said unto her ,.... To Rebecca, Genesis 25:23 , the elder shall serve the younger , or "the greater shall serve the lesser", an Hebrew way of speaking; so Japheth is called הגדול , "the great", or, as we render it, "the elder", Genesis 10:21 ; and the evil imagination is said F9 Midrash Kohelet, fol. 80. 1. to be גדול , "greater", that is, elder than the good, thirteen years; See Gill on Luke 22:26 ; The sense is, Esau shall be a servant to Jacob; which is to be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:12

The elder shall serve the younger - These words, with those of Malachi, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated, are cited by the apostle to prove, according to their typical signification, that the purpose of God, according to election, does and will stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; that is, that the purpose of God, which is the ground of that election which he makes among men, unto the honor of being Abraham's seed, might appear to remain unchangeable in him; and to be even... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:12

Verse 12 12.The elder shall serve the younger See how the Lord makes a difference between the sons of Isaac, while they were as yet in their mother’s womb; for this was the heavenly answer, by which it appeared that God designed to show to the younger peculiar favor, which he denied to the elder. Though this indeed had reference to the right of primogeniture, yet in this, as the symbol of something greater, was manifested the will of God: and that this was the case we may easily perceive, when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:6-13

(2) ( a ) After this avowal of his deep sorrow, and his reasons for feeling it, the apostle now proceeds to deal with the subject. First (as has been said above) he shows ( Romans 9:6-13 ) that the present exclusion of the great majority of the Jews from Christian privileges does not imply any unfaithfulness on God's part to his ancient promises; and thus it follows that the fact of their exclusion is no proof of the gospel not being the true fulfilment of those promises. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:6-13

The freedom of God's election. They had been so highly privileged, and were yet cast out. Oh, what a fall was there! But had God's promise come to naught? Nay, verily. For, as the history of their ancestry showed, the purposed working out of God's plans for the salvation of the world—for which alone Israel had been chosen—was not committed rigidly to all Israel, but only to such of them as God should choose. And, in this matter of choosing, God was perfectly free. This freedom is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:6-18

The children of the promise. We have seen St. Paul as a Christian patriot ready to sacrifice his everlasting fellowship with Christ if it could ensure the salvation of his fellow-countrymen. But, alas! the fact of the rejection of Jesus and his gospel by many of the Jews must be accepted. And when the apostle turns to history, he finds that there has been no wholesale salvation of either the descendants of Abraham or of Israel, but a certain proportion only became children of promise. How... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:11-13

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 in force, ever applicable), not of works, but of him that calleth; it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger ( Genesis 25:23 ). As it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 9:12

It was said unto her - By Yahweh; see Genesis 25:23.The elder - The oldest son, which was Esau. By the law of primogeniture among the Hebrews, he would have been entitled to special honors and privileges. But it was said that in his case this custom should be reversed, and that he should take the rank of the younger.Should serve - Shall be subject to; shall not have the authority and priority, but should be inferior to. The passage in Genesis Genesis 25:23 shows that this had reference... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 9:6-13

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 9:7-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 9:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 9:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:6-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:6-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:6-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 9:11-13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 9:12

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