Romans 9:6-13 Not as though the word of God has taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:… Within the family circle of Abraham there were children who should never have been. They were not really wanted in the world. Their existence was attributable to the unrefined manners of the age. Hence they might be called "children of the flesh." The designation was sufficiently explicit, and could stand appropriate antithesis to that of "the children of promise," and thus the Messianic children of God. Such were Isaac and then Jacob, and their legitimate descendants. God promised these to Abraham, and they were at once children of the promise, and the Messianic children of God. To the exclusion of all other descendants they were reckoned for the Messianic offspring by God. He had sovereign right to choose, and He exercised His right. The phrase "children of God" is susceptible of varied applications. All men are His offspring (Acts 17:28), and thus His children. The pure, the benevolent, and the unrevengeful, these in particular are His children (Matthew 5:45). And if from among the lapsed any rise up and earnestly urge their way toward purity, etc., then all these are emphatically "the children' of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). Having received Christ they have "power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12). Jesus Himself is the Son of God in the highest sense But in the passage before us the designation is restricted to those who were His Messianic children. Viewed in unity, they are His national sons, His firstborn (Exodus 4:22). Viewed in individuality they are His theocratic sons and daughters. (J. Morison, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: |
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