Romans 9:11

Not yet born. The fact that the younger would have pre-eminence over the older was foretold to Rebecca before their birth (see on verse 12).

Election. Greek ekloge, “the process of choice,” “selection” (see Acts 9:15; Rom. 11:5, 7, 28; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Peter 1:10). It is from the verb eklegomai, “to pick out,” “to choose” (see on Rom. 8:33). For a discussion of election as related to salvation see on chapter 8:29; see PP 207, 208; TM 453, 454.

Might stand. Or, “might remain,” “might continue.” This is the opposite of “hath taken none effect” (verse 6).

Not of works. That is, not because of any merit gained by works.

Him that calleth. God reserves the right to assign to men and nations various responsibilities (see on verse 7). Men may “covet earnestly the best gifts” (1 Cor. 12:31), but it is God who through the Spirit distributes the gifts “as he [the Spirit] will” (vs. 7-11). Simply because Jacob was chosen as the progenitor of the nation that was to be God’s evangelizing agency, by no means meant that his brother was elected to be lost. Such a deduction is wholly unwarranted. This passage has been used to support the doctrine that God predestines some to salvation and some to eternal damnation, regardless of character. But such a doctrine is contrary to the whole tenor of Scripture (see on Rom. 8:29), and therefore it cannot be Paul’s meaning in this verse. Paul is trying to emphasize to the Jews, by referring to the well-known history of Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, the vital fact that mere works and mere physical membership in the chosen race do not bind or obligate God to bless with favor and privilege. It was necessary for Paul to emphasize this point strongly because the Jews were misunderstanding and abusing their covenant relation.