What is the meaning of Romans 9:8? So it is not the children of the flesh • Paul begins by drawing a line between mere physical descent and true spiritual identity. Think of Ishmael and Isaac in Genesis; both came from Abraham’s body, yet only one carried God’s covenant (Genesis 17:19; 21:12). • Scripture repeatedly warns that outward credentials are never enough. “A person is not a Jew who is one outwardly… but a Jew is one inwardly” (Romans 2:28-29). • Jesus Himself said that becoming God’s child is “not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God” (John 1:12-13). The flesh can only produce more flesh; only the Spirit brings spiritual life (John 3:6). who are God’s children, • Being “God’s children” is a title reserved for those whom He has adopted by grace. Physical lineage can place someone in Abraham’s household, yet only faith places someone in God’s family (Galatians 3:26). • Hosea foretold this adoption: “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God’” (Hosea 1:10). Paul shows that this promise is fulfilled in Christ and received by faith, not by birth certificate. • Key takeaway: ancestry may explain your last name, but only God’s redeeming work explains the new name “child of God” (Revelation 2:17). but it is the children of the promise • “Promise” takes us back to God’s oath to Abraham: “I will establish My covenant with him [Isaac] as an everlasting covenant for his offspring” (Genesis 17:19). Isaac existed only because God intervened in Sarah’s barrenness; his very life was proof that salvation depends on divine initiative, not human effort. • Believers share that same supernatural origin. “Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise” (Galatians 4:28). • Practical implications: – Our standing rests on God’s unbreakable word, not on our fluctuating performance (Hebrews 6:17-18). – Because the promise is gracious, no one can boast, and everyone may come (Romans 10:12-13). who are regarded as offspring. • “Regarded” highlights God’s accounting—He counts believers as true heirs even when they lack physical ties to Abraham. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). • This status carries real benefits: – Inheritance: “And if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). – Identity: “You are a chosen people… a people for God’s own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). – Security: “When you believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). • The word “offspring” thus embraces every believer from every nation, fulfilling God’s promise that Abraham would be “father of many nations” (Romans 4:17). summary Romans 9:8 teaches that spiritual lineage, grounded in God’s promise and received by faith, is what makes someone a true child of God. Physical heritage cannot secure that place; only God’s gracious call can. All who trust Christ are counted as Abraham’s offspring, heirs of every covenant blessing, and eternally secure in the family of God. |
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