Romans 9:11

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

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

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

(Μήπω γὰρ γεννηθέντων, μηδὲ πραξάντων τι ἀγαθὸν ἢ κακόν, ἵνα ἡ κατʼ ἐκλογὴν τοῦ πρόθεσις Θεοῦ μένῃ,

Transliteration

(For not yet gennēthentōn, neither praxantōn ti agathon ē kakon, in order that the according to eklogēn of prothesis Theou menē,

Grammar Details

• *gennēthentōn*: aorist, participle, passive, genitive, masculine, plural - being born
• *praxantōn*: aorist, participle, active, genitive, masculine, plural - having done
• *ti*: indefinite pronoun, accusative, neuter, singular - anything
• *agathon*: adjective, accusative, neuter, singular - good
• *ē*: conjunction - or
• *kakon*: adjective, accusative, neuter, singular - evil
• *eklogēn*: accusative, feminine, singular - election/choice
• *prothesis*: nominative, feminine, singular - purpose/plan
• *Theou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of God
• *menē*: present, subjunctive, active, 3rd person singular - might remain

Word Meanings

• *gennēthentōn*: being born/having been born
• *praxantōn*: having done/having practiced/having performed
• *agathon*: good/righteous/beneficial
• *kakon*: evil/bad/wrong
• *eklogēn*: election/choice/selection
• *prothesis*: purpose/plan/intention
• *menē*: might remain/continue/stand

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard 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;)

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him who calls;

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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;)

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  for{G1063} [the children] being{G1080} not yet{G3380} born,{G1080} neither{G3366} having done{G4238} anything{G5100} good{G18} or{G2228} bad,{G2556} that{G2443} the purpose{G4286} of God{G2316} according to{G2596} election{G1589} might stand,{G3306} not{G3756} of{G1537} works,{G2041} but{G235} of{G1537} him that calleth,{G2564}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  (For{G1063} the children being{G1080} not yet{G3380} born{G1080}{(G5685)}, neither{G3366} having done{G4238}{(G5660)} any{G5100} good{G18} or{G2228} evil{G2556}, that{G2443} the purpose{G4286} of God{G2316} according{G2596} to election{G1589} might stand{G3306}{(G5725)}, not{G3756} of{G1537} works{G2041}, but{G235} of{G1537} him that calleth{G2564}{(G5723)};)

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  yeer the chyldren were borne when they had nether done good nether bad: that the purpose of God which is by election myght stonde

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  or euer the childre were borne, & had done nether good ner bad (that the purpose of God might stode acordinge to the eleccion, not by the deseruynge of workes, but by the grace of the caller)

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For yer the children were borne, and when they had neither done good, nor euill (that the purpose of God might remaine according to election, not by workes, but by him that calleth)

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For yer the chyldren were borne, when they had neither done good neither bad, (that the purpose of God by election might stande: not by the reason of workes, but by the caller)

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  (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;)

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  For 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 who calls,

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  (for they being not yet born, neither having done anything good or evil, that the purpose of God, according to choice, might remain; not of works, but of Him who is calling,) it was said to her --

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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,

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Before the children had come into existence, or had done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose and his selection might be effected, not by works, but by him whose purpose it is,

• World English Bible (2000)

  For 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 who calls,

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  even before they were born or had done anything good or bad(so that God’s purpose in election would stand, not by works but by his calling)–

Referenced Verses

• Rom 4:17 : 17 As it is written: 'I have made you a father of many nations.' He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
• 2 Thess 2:13-14 : 13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits for salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 1 Pet 5:10 : 10 But the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered for a little while, will Himself restore, establish, strengthen, and uphold you.
• 2 Pet 1:10 : 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election; for if you do these things, you will never stumble.
• Rev 17:14 : 14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.
• Eph 1:4-5 : 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence in love. 5 He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,
• Eph 1:9-9 : 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, 10 for the administration of the fullness of the times, to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth—in Him. 11 In Him we have also obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
• Eph 2:3 : 3 Among them we all also once lived in the desires of our flesh, carrying out the inclinations of the flesh and of the mind, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
• Eph 2:9 : 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
• Eph 3:11 : 11 according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• 1 Thess 1:4 : 4 Brothers and sisters dearly loved by God, we know that He has chosen you.
• 1 Thess 2:12 : 12 encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
• Ps 51:5 : 5 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
• Isa 14:24 : 24 The LORD of Hosts has sworn: 'Surely as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.'
• Isa 14:26-27 : 26 This is the plan determined for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations. 27 For the LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
• Isa 23:9 : 9 The LORD of Hosts has planned it, to defile the pride of all glory, to humble all who are honored on the earth.
• Jer 51:29 : 29 The earth trembles and writhes because the Lord’s plans against Babylon stand firm—to make the land of Babylon a desolate wasteland, without an inhabitant.
• 2 Tim 1:9 : 9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
• Titus 3:5 : 5 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
• Rom 8:28-30 : 28 And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.
• Rom 11:5-7 : 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer based on works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The chosen obtained it, but the rest were hardened.
• Isa 46:10-11 : 10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I desire.' 11 I call a bird of prey from the east, a man to fulfill My purpose from a distant land. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will make it happen.