Jacob I Loved, Esau I Hated: Understanding Romans 9. Few phrases in Scripture generate more debate than Paul’s quotation in Romans 9: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” On the surface, these words sound harsh, as though God arbitrarily despises individuals. For centuries, theologians, pastors, and everyday believers have wrestled with this verse, its Old Testament background, and its implications for God’s character.