Romans 9:8
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)
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The verse clarifies that being physically descended from Abraham doesn't automatically make you a "child of God." Instead, it's about being a "child of the promise"—those who are brought into God's family through the specific, often surprising, way God fulfills His word. This highlights that true belonging is based on God's faithfulness to His promises, not on human lineage.
Paul is addressing the deep Jewish concern about God's faithfulness, given that many in Israel, Abraham's descendants, were rejecting Jesus. He clarifies that not all physical descendants of Abraham are automatically considered God's true "seed" or children. Instead, the focus shifts to those who are born according to God's specific promise, establishing that spiritual lineage, not just physical descent, defines true connection with God.
Abraham had many descendants, but not all of them were part of God's special plan. Paul draws a sharp line between two ways of being Abraham's offspring.
Paul is making a crucial distinction here between those who are Abraham's descendants by natural birth ('children of the flesh') and those who are counted as his true 'seed' through God's promise ('children of the promise').
This is a radical idea for Paul's audience! The Jews deeply cherished their physical descent from Abraham, believing it inherently made them God's chosen people. Paul is saying that God's election and covenant blessings are not based on mere physical connection but on the specific, faith-oriented promises He makes and fulfills.
What does it mean to be a 'child of the promise'? It's not just about hearing a promise; it's about experiencing its life-changing power.
The phrase 'children of the promise' signifies more than simply being the recipient of a spoken word from God. The commentaries highlight that this promise has a kind of 'creative power.'
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.
This verse cuts against the grain of common Jewish understanding at the time, which often equated physical descent from Abraham with true status as God's children. Paul emphasizes that God's choosing is based on His promise and sovereign will, not mere biological lineage.
~2091 BC
God's Covenant Promise to Abraham
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and that through his offspring, all nations would be blessed.
~2066 BC
Birth of Isaac
Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah, fulfilling God's promise, but as a child born supernaturally through divine intervention, not mere natural descent.
Various dates throughout Old Testament
Israel's Cycle of Faith and Unfaithfulness
The history of Israel is marked by periods of faithfulness to God's covenant and periods of rebellion and disobedience, leading to consequences.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the exile of many Jews to Babylon, demonstrates that outward covenant status did not guarantee God's favor or protection when His people were unfaithful.
This passage directly expands on the idea of Abraham's spiritual offspring, clarifying that being counted as Abraham's seed is tied to belonging to Christ, not just physical descent.
Galatians 4:23This passage uses the story of Ishmael (son of the flesh) and Isaac (son of the promise) to illustrate the same principle: the distinction between those born according to natural lineage and those born by the power of God's promise.
John 1:13This verse highlights that being a child of God isn't about natural birth or human will, but about a spiritual rebirth granted by God, mirroring the theme that spiritual lineage trumps physical lineage.
Romans 4:13This verse shows how the promise to Abraham and his offspring was not based on the Law or human effort, but on the righteousness that comes through faith, aligning with the idea that 'children of the promise' are faith-based, not flesh-based.
Genesis 17:7This is the foundational promise given to Abraham, establishing the covenant and the concept of his 'offspring' as God's chosen people, which Paul is carefully interpreting in Romans 9.
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 clarifies that being physically descended from Abraham doesn't automatically make you a "child of God." Instead, it's about being a "child of the promise"—those who are brought into God's family through the specific, often surprising, way God fulfills His word. This highlights that true belonging is based on God's faithfulness to His promises, not on human lineage.
Paul is addressing the deep Jewish concern about God's faithfulness, given that many in Israel, Abraham's descendants, were rejecting Jesus. He clarifies that not all physical descendants of Abraham are automatically considered God's true "seed" or children. Instead, the focus shifts to those who are born according to God's specific promise, establishing that spiritual lineage, not just physical descent, defines true connection with God.
Paul is addressing the deep Jewish concern about God's faithfulness, given that many in Israel, Abraham's descendants, were rejecting Jesus. He clarifies that not all physical descendants of Abraham are automatically considered God's true "seed" or children. Instead, the focus shifts to those who are born according to God's specific promise, establishing that spiritual lineage, not just physical descent, defines true connection with God.
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So, being a child of the promise means being brought into God's family through the active, life-giving power of His word, not through any merit or lineage of our own.
c. 1st Century AD
Jewish Beliefs About Election
Many Jews believed that their physical descent from Abraham automatically made them God's chosen people, entitled to all covenant blessings.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul's Letter to the Romans
Paul writes his letter to the Roman church, addressing theological issues including God's sovereign election and the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God.
"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 clarifies that being physically descended from Abraham doesn't automatically make you a "child of God." Instead, it's about being a "child of the promise"—those who are brought into God's f…
