This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a crucial distinction: it's not about biological descent ("children of the flesh") that makes you truly God's, but belonging to the "children of the promise." This means God's calling isn't based on lineage alone, but on a special, divinely initiated plan for those chosen through His promise.
This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is wrestling with the painful reality that many in his own Jewish nation, despite their heritage and God's promises, are rejecting Jesus. He's clarifying that not all physical descendants of Abraham are automatically considered God's true children, because God's plan has always involved a chosen line, not just anyone born into the family. This sets the stage for understanding that true spiritual lineage comes through God's specific promise, rather than mere biological descent.
Ever felt like you 'checked the boxes' but something was still missing? Paul tackles this head-on, challenging a core belief of his audience.
Paul is speaking to a deeply ingrained Jewish understanding: that being a physical descendant of Abraham automatically made you a 'child of God' and heir to His promises.
The 'Children of the Flesh'
Paul calls these natural descendants 'children of the flesh.' This refers to lineage, the bloodline, and physical birthright. For many Jews, this was the entire basis for their identity as God's chosen people. It was like having a family membership that guaranteed you certain rights and blessings.
The Problem with 'Flesh'
But Paul argues this isn't the whole story. Being born a Jew, or even being a direct descendant of Abraham, doesn't automatically make you a 'child of God' in the deepest, spiritual sense. God's family isn't just about biology. This distinction is crucial because it opens the door for God's promises to extend beyond ethnic Israel.
What makes someone a true 'child' in God's eyes? It's not just who your ancestors were, but who you belong to.
Paul pivots from what doesn't qualify someone to what does. He introduces the concept of 'children of the promise.'
Born from God's Word
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These aren't just people who were promised; they are people brought into existence through God's promise and by His active power. Think of Isaac – born miraculously to Abraham and Sarah when natural hope was gone, solely because God promised him.
A Spiritual Identity
'Children of the promise' are those who are born again, not by human will or effort, but by God's sovereign grace. They are identified not by their bloodline, but by their faith and their new life in Christ, which is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham. This includes both Jews and Gentiles who put their faith in Jesus.
Understand the original words
sarx · Greek Noun
Referring to natural human birth, physical heredity, or sinful nature. It stands in contrast to the spiritual identity granted by grace or the Holy Spirit.
tekna Theou · Greek Noun
Those who have been born again or adopted into God's family through faith. They are characterized by relationship with God as their Father.
epangelia · Greek Noun
A divinely revealed assurance or declaration regarding God's future action. It is the basis for faith and is grounded in God's immutable character rather than human merit.
logizomai · Greek Verb
The act of being reckoned, designated, or declared as something. In salvation theology, it refers to being legally credited or justified by God based on faith.
Paul is directly addressing a fundamental tension for Jewish believers: if God's promises were to Abraham and his descendants, why is salvation now available to Gentiles through Christ? He clarifies that true 'offspring' are those born by God's promise, not just by physical lineage.
c. 2091 BC
God's Promise to Abraham
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him countless descendants and a special relationship with God. This promise is key to understanding who is truly part of God's plan.
c. 2066 BC
Birth of Isaac
Isaac, Abraham's son by promise (born through Sarah's miraculous conception), is born. His half-brother Ishmael, born of Hagar, represents descent by the flesh.
c. 1400 BC
The Law Given at Sinai
God gives the Law to Israel through Moses. While the Law was a sign of God's covenant, it also highlighted humanity's sin and inability to perfectly keep God's commands.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom (Israel)
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people. This event demonstrated that national identity and religious observance alone did not guarantee God's favor.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, and exile many Jews. This was a devastating blow, leading many to question their status as God's chosen people.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry, Death, and Resurrection
Jesus, the promised Messiah, fulfills God's promises. His ministry and resurrection offer salvation based on faith, not just physical descent.
c. AD 55-57— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
Paul writes his letter to the Roman church, explaining how God's plan of salvation extends to both Jews and Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ.
This passage directly sets up the 'promise' that Paul refers to, where God promises Abraham that he will be the father of many nations, highlighting that God's promise transcends mere physical lineage.
Galatians 3:29Paul echoes this exact concept, explaining that if believers belong to Christ, they are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise, emphasizing the spiritual lineage over the physical.
Galatians 4:28This verse parallels the idea of 'children of the promise' with being children of the free woman (Sarah), contrasting them with those born according to the flesh (Hagar), reinforcing the theme of divine selection.
Romans 4:16This passage explains that Abraham's inheritance was not through the law but through faith, and that the promise is grounded in faith, not in flesh, which is the core distinction Paul makes in Romans 9:8.
John 1:13This verse directly states that believers were 'born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God,' which aligns perfectly with Paul's point that spiritual parentage comes from God's promise, not physical descent.
cambridgeRomans 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."
8 . That is , &c.] We may paraphrase this verse, after the Gr.; “That is,” (in view of both the Romans 9:6-7 ,) “the children of God” (it being implied in the Promise that Abraham’s children should be also His,) “are not the mere bodily offspring of Abraham, no more and no fewer; rather, the children defined by special promise are taken to…
gillRomans 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, they which are the children of the flesh,.... This is an explanation of the foregoing verse, and shows, that by "the seed of" Abraham are meant, the natural seed of Abraham, who are born after the flesh, or descend from him by carnal generation: these are not the children of God; that is, not all of them, nor any of them, on accou…
The verse highlights a crucial distinction: it's not about biological descent ("children of the flesh") that makes you truly God's, but belonging to the "children of the promise." This means God's calling isn't based on lineage alone, but on a special, divinely initiated plan for those chosen through His promise.
Paul is wrestling with the painful reality that many in his own Jewish nation, despite their heritage and God's promises, are rejecting Jesus. He's clarifying that not all physical descendants of Abraham are automatically considered God's true children, because God's plan has always involved a chosen line, not just anyone born into the family. This sets the stage for understanding that true spiritual lineage comes through God's specific promise, rather than mere biological descent.
Paul is wrestling with the painful reality that many in his own Jewish nation, despite their heritage and God's promises, are rejecting Jesus. He's clarifying that not all physical descendants of Abraham are automatically considered God's true children, because God's plan has always involved a chosen line, not just anyone born into the family. This sets the stage for understanding that true spiritual lineage comes through God's specific promise, rather than mere biological descent.
"This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring." — The verse highlights a crucial distinction: it's not about biological descent ("children of the flesh") that makes you truly God's, but belonging to the "children of the promise." This means God's ca…
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Last reviewed October 2026