Romans 9:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} not {G3756} only {G3440} this; but {G235} when Rebecca {G4479} also {G2532} had conceived {G2845} by {G1537} one {G1520}{G2192}, even by our {G2257} father {G3962} Isaac {G2464};

Complete Jewish Bible

And even more to the point is the case of Rivkah; for both her children were conceived in a single act with Yitz’chak, our father;

Berean Standard Bible

Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac.

American Standard Version

And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac—

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 9:10 serves as a crucial illustration in Paul's defense of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly concerning Israel's rejection of Christ. Following the example of Isaac over Ishmael, this verse introduces Rebecca's conception of twins, Jacob and Esau, by the same father, Isaac. This shared parentage underscores that the subsequent divine choice between the brothers was not based on their lineage or any pre-existing merit, but solely on God's sovereign purpose and election, setting the stage for Paul's profound theological argument about God's unmerited favor and His method of choosing His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 9 opens a pivotal section (chapters 9-11) where Paul addresses the perplexing question of Israel's apparent rejection and God's continued faithfulness. Having established the universal need for righteousness by faith in chapters 1-8, Paul now grapples with the status of his own people, the Jews, who largely rejected their Messiah. He begins by expressing deep sorrow for Israel's unbelief ([Romans 9:1-5](/romans/9-1-5 "Paul's Anguish Over Israel")). To demonstrate that God's word has not failed, he argues that not all physical descendants of Israel are true "Israel" in the spiritual sense ([Romans 9:6](/romans/9-6 "Not All Israel Is Israel")). He first uses the example of Isaac, the son of promise, chosen over Ishmael, though both were Abraham's sons ([Romans 9:7-9](/romans/9-7-9 "Isaac and Ishmael: The Seed of Promise")). Romans 9:10 then introduces the second, even more compelling, example of Jacob and Esau, born of the same parents, to further cement the principle of God's sovereign election independent of human merit or birth order, which is explicitly stated in the subsequent verses ([Romans 9:11-13](/romans/9-11-13 "God's Purpose of Election for Jacob and Esau")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative of Rebecca conceiving twins, Jacob and Esau, is found in the foundational patriarchal history of Israel in [Genesis 25:21-26](/genesis/25-21-26 "The Birth of Jacob and Esau"). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, primogeniture—the right of the firstborn son to inherit the family's leadership, double portion of inheritance, and the patriarchal blessing—was a deeply ingrained societal norm. This tradition made God's choice of the younger son, Jacob, over the elder, Esau, particularly counter-cultural and striking. The divine oracle given to Rebecca before the twins' birth, "The older shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's Prophecy to Rebecca")), directly defied this cultural expectation. Paul's use of this example highlights that God's ways are not bound by human customs or natural order, but are determined by His own sovereign will. This historical precedent was later affirmed by the prophet Malachi, who declared, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" ([Malachi 1:2-3](/malachi/1-2-3 "Malachi's Affirmation of God's Choice")).
* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by [Romans 9:10](/romans/9-10 "Rebecca's Conception of Twins") is **Divine Sovereignty and Election**. By emphasizing that Rebecca conceived "by one, even by our father Isaac," Paul eliminates any natural basis for distinguishing between Jacob and Esau's destinies. Both shared identical parentage, making God's subsequent choice between them unequivocally an act of unmerited election, not based on their works or lineage. This sets the stage for Paul's explicit statement in [Romans 9:11](/romans/9-11 "God's Purpose According to Election") that God's purpose of election is "not of works but of him who calls." This verse also contributes to the broader theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Promises**, demonstrating that His promises are not arbitrary but are fulfilled through His sovereign selection of individuals, ensuring that His ultimate plan for salvation is realized through a chosen remnant, regardless of physical descent.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **conceived (Greek, _koítē'_):** From G2845, meaning "a couch; by extension, cohabitation; by implication, the male sperm." In this context, it refers to the act of conception, specifically Rebecca's impregnation. Paul uses this word to emphasize the biological reality of the twins' shared origin from the same parents, reinforcing the point that any distinction between them was due to God's sovereign choice, not differing circumstances of their origin.
* **one (Greek, _heîs'_):** From G1520, a primary numeral meaning "one." In the phrase "by one," it emphatically points to the singular source of both children, namely Isaac. This numerical precision highlights the identical biological father for both Jacob and Esau, removing any potential argument that their differing destinies could be attributed to distinct paternal origins. It underscores the purity of the example for demonstrating God's unconditioned election.
* **father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** From G3962, meaning "a 'father' (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)." Here, it refers literally to Isaac as the biological father. The inclusion of "our father Isaac" connects the narrative directly to the patriarchal lineage revered by the Jewish audience, making the example of God's choice within their own revered ancestry even more poignant and undeniable for Paul's argument about God's sovereign dealings with His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And not only [this];"**: This opening phrase serves as a transition, connecting the current example of Rebecca, Jacob, and Esau to the preceding one of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael. It signifies that the principle of God's selective election, already demonstrated, is not an isolated incident but a consistent pattern in God's dealings with humanity, particularly within the lineage of Abraham.
* **"but when Rebecca also had conceived"**: This introduces the second, and arguably more powerful, illustration of God's sovereign choice. The focus shifts to Rebecca, Isaac's wife, and her unique pregnancy with twins. The "also" links her experience to the broader narrative of God's selective work within the patriarchal family.
* **"by one, [even] by our father Isaac;"**: This crucial clause emphasizes the identical parentage of the twins, Jacob and Esau. The phrase "by one" (Greek: *ek henos*) explicitly states that both children were conceived from the same single source—Isaac. This detail is paramount to Paul's argument, as it removes any natural or biological basis for God's subsequent choice between the brothers. It powerfully highlights that the distinction between Jacob and Esau was solely a matter of divine election, not a result of differing origins or human merit. The addition of "our father Isaac" grounds the example firmly within the revered lineage of the Jewish people, making the theological point even more impactful for Paul's audience.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in [Romans 9:10](/romans/9-10 "Rebecca's Conception of Twins") to strengthen his argument. Primarily, he uses **Exemplum**, presenting the historical account of Rebecca, Jacob, and Esau as a concrete illustration of God's sovereign election. This serves as a powerful, undeniable precedent from their own sacred history, making his theological claims more persuasive. The phrase "by one, even by our father Isaac" employs **Emphasis** and **Repetition** (of the idea of singular origin) to underscore the identical parentage of the twins. This deliberate focus on their shared biological source is crucial, as it systematically eliminates any human or natural factor that could explain God's choice, thereby highlighting the purely divine and unconditioned nature of His election. The verse also functions as a form of **A fortiori** argument, implying that if God's choice was so evident and unmerited even in the case of twins from the same womb and father, how much more is His election based solely on His will in the broader scope of salvation history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 9:10 is a foundational verse for understanding the doctrine of divine election, emphasizing that God's choice is not predicated on human merit, lineage, or any foreseen works, but solely on His sovereign will and purpose. This principle, demonstrated through the identical parentage of Jacob and Esau, underscores that God's salvific plan operates according to His unconditioned grace rather than human performance. It challenges any notion that salvation or spiritual privilege can be earned or inherited, directing all glory to God's initiative and wisdom. The verse sets the stage for Paul's declaration that God's purpose of election is "not of works but of him who calls" ([Romans 9:11](/romans/9-11 "God's Purpose According to Election")), firmly grounding the New Testament understanding of grace in Old Testament precedent.

* [Romans 9:11-13](/romans/9-11-13 "God's Purpose of Election for Jacob and Esau") - Directly follows, explaining the purpose of God's choice of Jacob over Esau.
* [Ephesians 1:4-5](/ephesians/1-4-5 "Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World") - Affirms that believers were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world according to God's good pleasure.
* [2 Timothy 1:9](/2_timothy/1-9 "Called According to His Own Purpose and Grace") - States that God saved and called us "not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 9:10, in its broader context, invites us to deeply ponder the nature of God's sovereignty and our place within His grand design. The fact that God's choice of Jacob over Esau was made before they had done anything good or bad is a profound challenge to our natural human inclination to believe that our standing with God is earned or based on our own efforts or inherent worth. This truth should cultivate a profound sense of humility, recognizing that any spiritual privilege or blessing we experience is purely a gift of God's unmerited favor. It frees us from the burden of striving to earn God's love and instead calls us to rest in His perfect, wise, and loving plan. Understanding this sovereign election should not lead to passivity but to a deeper trust in God's mysterious ways, knowing that His purposes will always prevail. It also reminds us that our primary identity and security are found not in our lineage, achievements, or even our choices, but in God's eternal choice of us in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of God's sovereign choice, as illustrated in Romans 9:10, challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation?**
* **In what ways might our human tendency to rely on lineage, works, or merit hinder our full embrace of God's unmerited grace?**
* **How can reflecting on God's sovereign election foster greater humility and trust in His plan for your life?**

### FAQ
**Does Romans 9:10 imply that God is unfair or arbitrary in His choices?**

Answer: No, Romans 9:10, when understood in its full context, does not imply that God is unfair. Instead, it highlights that God's choices are not based on human merit or external factors, but on His own sovereign will and righteous character. Paul directly addresses the question of God's fairness in [Romans 9:14](/romans/9-14 "Is There Injustice on God's Part?"), asking, "Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!" He then explains that God has the right to show mercy to whom He wills and to harden whom He wills, drawing on the example of Pharaoh in [Romans 9:15-18](/romans/9-15-18 "God's Mercy and Hardening"). The point is not that God is arbitrary, but that His justice and mercy are exercised according to His divine wisdom and purpose, which transcends human understanding and expectations. His election is not a reflection of injustice but of His absolute freedom and grace in bestowing His favor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 9:10, by illustrating God's sovereign election through the example of Jacob and Esau, lays crucial groundwork for understanding the ultimate outworking of God's redemptive plan in Christ. Just as God chose Jacob not based on merit but on His divine purpose, so too has He chosen a people in Christ, not based on their works or lineage, but solely on His grace. Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate "seed" of Abraham, through whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises Are Yes in Christ")). He is the true Israel, the one in whom God's election is perfectly embodied and through whom all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, are brought into the family of God. The New Covenant, established through Christ's sacrifice, fulfills God's ancient promises by creating a new spiritual Israel, a people chosen by grace through faith in Him ([Galatians 3:26-29](/galatians/3-26-29 "Sons of God Through Faith in Christ")). Thus, the principle of God's unmerited choice, so clearly demonstrated in Rebecca's conception of twins, foreshadows the radical inclusivity of the gospel, where salvation is entirely a gift of God's sovereign grace in Jesus Christ, available to all who believe, regardless of their earthly origins or accomplishments ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 25:21

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 25:23

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Luke 16:26

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.

Romans 5:11

And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Romans 5:3

And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;