Romans 9:11

Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Roman church, using the case of Isaac’s unborn twins to demonstrate that divine election operates independently of human lineage or merit.

The words — μήπω (mēpō) renders as “not yet,” and πραξάντων (praxantōn) means “having done.”

The thread — The text’s emphasis on unmerited divine choice appears in Ephesians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9, and 2 Peter 1:10.

Why it lands — The passage states that God’s election stands before any good or bad deed, requiring the reader to anchor assurance in divine calling rather than personal achievement.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

μήπωmēpōnot yet γὰρgarfor γεννηθέντωνgennēthentōnhaving been born μηδὲmēdenor πραξάντωνpraxantōnhaving done τιtianything ἀγαθὸνagathongood ἢēor φαῦλον,phaulonevil,ἵναinaso that ἡhēthe κατ᾽kat᾽according to ἐκλογὴνeklogēnelection πρόθεσιςprothesispurpose τοῦtou<the>θεοῦtheouof God μένῃ,menēmay stand,

King James Version

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Cross-references

2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
Ephesians 1:4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Ephesians 1:9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.
Romans 11:5 In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.