Jacob I have loved, and...

It is interesting to note the complexities of election as regards Abraham's seed, as noted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:6-13.

Variance in Abraham's Seed

Of the four direct offspring of Abraham, two are in the lineage of promise, and two are not. Because Romans 9:13 includes the quote, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated," I have labeled their lot as "hatred."

Paul's argument is that not all descendants of Abraham are children of promise, which is obvious from this small chart. His further argument is that it is those who come to God by faith that are children of promise.

Exactly how or the means by which all people must volitionally come to God by faith is then clarified in Romans 10:9-10.