Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 9:11

"for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth," — Romans 9:11 (ASV)

For the children being not yet born (Romans 9:11). It was not, therefore, by any works of theirs. It was not because they had formed a character and manifested qualities that made this distinction proper. This distinction was established prior to any such character and therefore had its foundation in the purpose or plan of God.

Neither having done any good or evil. That is, when the declaration (Romans 9:12) was made to Rebecca. This is a very important passage regarding the question about the purposes of God.

1. They had done nothing good or bad. When that is the case, there can be, properly speaking, no moral character, for, as Webster defines it, "a character is not formed when the person has not acquired stable and distinctive qualities."
2. The period of moral agency had not yet commenced .
3. The purpose of God is antecedent to the formation of character or the performance of any actions, good or bad.
4. It is not a purpose formed because God sees anything in the individuals as a ground for His choice, but for some reason He has not explained, and which in Scripture is simply called purpose and good pleasure (Ephesians 1:5).
5. If it existed in this case, it does in others. If it was right then, it is right now. And if God then dispensed His favors on this principle, He will now.
6. This affirmation respecting Jacob and Esau does not prove that they did not have a nature inclined to evil, or a corrupt and sensual propensity, or that they would not sin as soon as they became moral agents. It proves merely that they had not yet committed actual sin. That they, as well as all others, would certainly sin as soon as they committed moral acts at all, is proved everywhere in the sacred Scriptures.

The purpose of God. See the notes on Romans 8:28.

According to election. This means to dispense His favors according to His sovereign will and pleasure. Those favors were not conferred in consequence of the merits of the individuals, but according to a wise plan predating the formation of their characters, and before they had done good or evil. The favors were thus conferred according to His choice, or election.

Might stand. This means it might be confirmed, or might be proved to be true. The case shows that God dispenses His favors as a sovereign. The purpose of God was thus proved to have been formed without respect to the merits of either.

Not of works. This means not by anything which they had done either to merit His favor or to forfeit it. It was formed on other principles than a reference to their works. So it is in relation to all who will be saved. God has good reasons for saving those who will be saved. What the reasons are for choosing some to life He has not revealed, but He has revealed to us that it is not on account of their works, either performed or foreseen.

But of him that calleth. This means according to the will and purpose of Him who chooses to dispense those favors in this manner. It is not by the merit of man, but it is by a purpose originating with God, and formed and executed according to His good pleasure. It is also implied here that this purpose is formed in such a way as to secure His glory as the primary consideration.