Romans 9:8

That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

That is {G5123}, They which are the children {G5043} of the flesh {G4561}, these {G5023} are not {G3756} the children {G5043} of God {G2316}: but {G235} the children {G5043} of the promise {G1860} are counted {G3049} for {G1519} the seed {G4690}.

In other words, it is not the physical children who are children of God, but the children the promise refers to who are considered seed.

So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.

That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed.

Romans 9:8 is a pivotal verse in Paul's argument concerning God's faithfulness to Israel and the true nature of God's chosen people. It clarifies that physical descent from Abraham does not automatically equate to being a child of God, emphasizing a distinction between physical lineage and spiritual inheritance.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discussion in Romans chapter 9 where Paul grapples with the apparent rejection of Christ by many Israelites, despite God's covenant with them. He explains that God's promises were never solely dependent on physical lineage. Instead, God's choice has always been sovereign and based on His promise, not human merit or birthright. Paul uses the examples of Isaac and Ishmael, and Jacob and Esau, to illustrate this principle of divine selection, showing that not all who are descended from Abraham are truly "Israel" in God's eyes. This sets the stage for understanding God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual vs. Physical Descent: The verse sharply distinguishes between those born merely by natural means ("children of the flesh") and those who are truly God's children through divine promise and election ("children of the promise"). This highlights that salvation and true sonship with God are not inherited biologically.
  • God's Sovereignty and Promise: It underscores that God's plan for salvation is rooted in His sovereign will and His promises, not in human lineage or works. The "children of the promise" are those whom God has chosen and called according to His divine purpose.
  • The True "Seed" of Abraham: Paul asserts that the true inheritors of God's covenant blessings, the genuine "seed" of Abraham, are not all his physical descendants, but specifically those who are "children of the promise." This concept is foundational to understanding the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family through faith, a theme further explored in Galatians 3:29.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "children of the flesh" is ta tekna tēs sarkos (τὰ τέκνα τῆς σαρκός), emphasizing birth according to human nature. In contrast, "children of the promise" is ta tekna tēs epaggelias (τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐπαγγελίας), highlighting divine intervention and God's specific declaration. The word "counted" (λογίζομαι - logizomai) is significant; it implies reckoning or imputing, a term also used by Paul to describe how righteousness is reckoned to Abraham through faith, not works.

Practical Application

Romans 9:8 has profound implications for understanding Christian identity today. It reminds us that our standing with God is not based on our heritage, family background, or any human achievement, but solely on God's gracious promise and our response of faith. It encourages humility, recognizing that our salvation is a gift from God. Furthermore, it broadens our perspective to include all believers, whether Jew or Gentile, as equally part of God's chosen family, united by faith in Christ and the divine promise, echoing the universal call to salvation seen in John 3:16.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 1:13

    Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

  • Romans 4:11

    And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

  • Romans 4:16

    Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

  • Galatians 3:26

    For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

  • Galatians 3:29

    And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

  • Romans 8:14

    For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

  • Galatians 4:22

    For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

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