Romans 9:7 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But, In Isaac shall thy seed be called— It should be considered, and well noted, that the Apostle, in this and the following quotations, does not give us the whole of the text which he intends should be taken into his argument, but only a hint or reference to the passages to which they belong; directing us to recollect or peruse the whole passage, and there view and judge of the force of his argument. That he is so to be understood, appears from the conclusion he draws, Romans 9:16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. In his arguments, Romans 9:7-8, &c. he says not one word of Abraham's willing Ishmael to be the seed in whom the promise might be fulfilled, nor of Isaac's willing Esau, nor of Moses's willing and interceding that the Israelites might be spared, nor of Esau's running for venison; butby introducing these particulars into his conclusion, he gives us to understand, that his quotations are to be taken in connection with the whole history of which they are a part. The same thing may be said concerning his conclusion, Romans 9:18. Whom he will, he hardeneth.—Hardeneth is not in his argument, but it is in the conclusion; therefore, &c. The generality of the Jews were well versed in the Scriptures, and a hint was sufficient to revive the memory of a whole passage.