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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 9:8 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/9-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/45_Rom_09_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 9:8 - God's Sovereign Choice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/9-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/9-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm" title="Romans 9:7">◄</a> Romans 9:8 <a href="/romans/9-9.htm" title="Romans 9:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/9.htm">New International Version</a> In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God&#8217s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham&#8217s offspring. <a href="/nlt/romans/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children. <a href="/esv/romans/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> That is, the children of the flesh, these are not children of God; but the children of the promise are regarded as offspring. <a href="/kjv/romans/9.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/romans/9.htm">New King James Version</a> That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. <a href="/nasb_/romans/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. <a href="/nasb/romans/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. <a href="/nasb77/romans/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. <a href="/lsb/romans/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are considered as seed. <a href="/amp/romans/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> That is, it is not the children of the body [Abraham’s natural descendants] who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are counted as [Abraham’s true] descendants. <a href="/csb/romans/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring. <a href="/hcsb/romans/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God&#8217s children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring. <a href="/asv/romans/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/erv/romans/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/romans/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> This means that children born by natural descent [from Abraham] are not necessarily God's children. Instead, children born by the promise are considered Abraham's descendants. <a href="/gnt/romans/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> This means that the children born in the usual way are not the children of God; instead, the children born as a result of God's promise are regarded as the true descendants. <a href="/isv/romans/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> That is, it is not merely the children born through natural descent who were regarded as God's children, but it is the children born through the promise who were regarded as descendants. <a href="/msb/romans/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/romans/9.htm">NET Bible</a> This means it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God; rather, the children of promise are counted as descendants. <a href="/nheb/romans/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. <a href="/wbt/romans/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> That is, They who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. <a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> In other words, it is not the children by natural descent who count as God's children, but the children made such by the promise are regarded as Abraham's posterity. <a href="/web/romans/9.htm">World English Bible</a> That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> that is, the children of the flesh—these [are] not children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for seed; <a href="/blb/romans/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> That is, the children of the flesh, these are not children of God; but the children of the promise are regarded as offspring. <a href="/ylt/romans/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> that is, the children of the flesh -- these are not children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for seed; <a href="/slt/romans/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> That is, The children of the flesh, these not the children of God: but the children of the solemn promise are reckoned for seed.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> That is to say, not they that are the children of the flesh, are the children of God; but they, that are the children of the promise, are accounted for the seed. <a href="/cpdv/romans/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> In other words, those who are the sons of God are not those who are sons of the flesh, but those who are sons of the Promise; these are considered to be the offspring. <a href="/nabre/romans/9.htm">New American Bible</a> 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 descendants. <a href="/nrsvce/romans/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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 descendants.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God; but the children of the promise who are reckoned as descendants. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But this is not because the children of the flesh are the children of God, but the children of The Promise are accounted for the seed.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the posterity. <a href="/godbey/romans/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> that is the children of the flesh the same are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. <a href="/haweis/romans/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> That is, not the children of the flesh, these are the children of God: but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed. <a href="/mace/romans/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> that is, the children by natural descent are not thereby the children of God: but the children of the promise are alone considered as his posterity. <a href="/wey/romans/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> In other words, it is not the children by natural descent who count as God's children, but the children made such by the promise are regarded as Abraham's posterity. <a href="/worrell/romans/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. <a href="/worsley/romans/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> That is, not the children of the flesh are the children of God, but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed. <a href="/parallel/romans/9-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=2242" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/9.htm">God's Sovereign Choice</a> …7Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” 8<a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tout’ (DPro-NNS) -- This; he, she, it. ">So</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">it is</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5043.htm" title="5043: tekna (N-NNP) -- A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.">children</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarkos (N-GFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ">flesh</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-NNP) -- This; he, she, it. ">who are</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God’s</a> <a href="/greek/5043.htm" title="5043: tekna (N-NNP) -- A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.">children,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but it is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5043.htm" title="5043: tekna (N-NNP) -- A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.">children</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/1860.htm" title="1860: epangelias (N-GFS) -- A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.">promise</a> <a href="/greek/3049.htm" title="3049: logizetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. ">who are regarded</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">as</a> <a href="/greek/4690.htm" title="4690: sperma (N-ANS) -- From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.">offspring.</a> 9For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a> And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. <a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Galatians 4:28</a> Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. <a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a> But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. <a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7</a> Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. <a href="/hebrews/11-18.htm">Hebrews 11:18</a> even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a> But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19</a> But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. <a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a> The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ. <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-23</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9</a> By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10</a> Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. <a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14</a> Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a> and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” <a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a> Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Genesis 15:4</a> Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.They which.<a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11-16</a> 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: … <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-31</a> For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman… are counted.<a href="/genesis/31-15.htm">Genesis 31:15</a> Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.<a href="/psalms/22-30.htm">Psalm 22:30</a> A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.<a href="/psalms/87-6.htm">Psalm 87:6</a> The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/romans/9-6.htm">Count</a> <a href="/romans/5-13.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/romans/1-3.htm">Descent</a> <a href="/romans/9-5.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/romans/9-6.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/8-6.htm">Means</a> <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Natural</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Posterity</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/romans/8-36.htm">Regarded</a> <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/romans/4-20.htm">Undertaking</a> <a href="/romans/4-23.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_corinthians/11-22.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-2.htm">Count</a> <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/romans/9-29.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-3.htm">Descent</a> <a href="/romans/11-14.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/romans/9-9.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/9-14.htm">Means</a> <a href="/romans/11-18.htm">Natural</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-22.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/romans/9-29.htm">Posterity</a> <a href="/romans/9-9.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Reckoned</a> <a href="/romans/9-32.htm">Regarded</a> <a href="/romans/9-29.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/romans/9-9.htm">Undertaking</a> <a href="/romans/9-9.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 9</div>1. <a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Paul is sorry for the Jews.</a> 7. <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">All of Abraham not of the promise.</a> 18. <a href="/romans/9-18.htm">God's sovereignty.</a> 25. <a href="/romans/9-25.htm">The calling of the Gentiles and rejecting of the Jews, foretold.</a> 32. <a href="/romans/9-32.htm">The cause of their stumbling.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children This phrase emphasizes the distinction between physical descent and spiritual identity. In the context of Romans, Paul addresses the Jewish understanding of being God's chosen people through Abraham. The "children of the flesh" refers to those who are biologically descended from Abraham, such as the Israelites. However, Paul argues that mere physical lineage does not guarantee one's status as God's child. This echoes Jesus' teaching in <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39-40</a>, where He challenges the Jews' reliance on Abrahamic descent. Historically, this reflects the shift from the Old Covenant, based on ethnic Israel, to the New Covenant, which includes all who have faith in Christ, regardless of ethnic background.but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring The "children of the promise" refers to those who are part of God's covenant through faith, as exemplified by Isaac, the child of promise to Abraham and Sarah. This promise is rooted in <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19</a>, where God promises Abraham that Sarah will bear a son, Isaac, through whom the covenant will be established. Paul uses this to illustrate that true descendants of Abraham are those who share in the faith of Abraham, not just his bloodline. This aligns with <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a>, where Paul states that if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. This concept underscores the spiritual nature of God's family, which transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, and points to the fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus Christ, the ultimate seed of Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the believers in Rome, explaining the nature of God's promises and who truly belongs to the family of God. 2. <a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a> The child of promise, born to Abraham and Sarah, representing those who are considered true children of God through faith and promise, not merely by physical descent. 3. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> The patriarch to whom God made promises regarding his descendants, illustrating the difference between physical lineage and spiritual inheritance. 4. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation descended from Abraham, representing the broader context of Paul's discussion on who constitutes the true Israel. 5. <a href="/topical/g/gentiles.htm">Gentiles</a> Non-Jewish people who, through faith in Christ, are included in the promise and considered children of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_lineage.htm">Understanding Spiritual Lineage</a> True children of God are identified by faith and promise, not merely by physical descent. This challenges us to evaluate our relationship with God based on faith rather than heritage or works. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith.htm">The Role of Faith</a> Just as Isaac was a child of promise, believers are called to live by faith, trusting in God's promises rather than relying on human effort or lineage. <a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_of_the_gospel.htm">Inclusivity of the Gospel</a> The promise extends beyond ethnic Israel to include all who believe in Christ, emphasizing the universal nature of the Gospel and the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile. <a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a> Our identity as God's children is rooted in His promise and our faith in Christ, encouraging us to find our worth and purpose in this spiritual reality. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_children_of_promise.htm">Living as Children of Promise</a> As children of the promise, we are called to live lives that reflect our faith and trust in God's promises, impacting how we interact with others and view our circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 9</a> <a href="/q/how_do_faith_and_trust_differ.htm">What does walking in the Spirit entail?</a> <a href="/q/can_i_be_certain_of_my_salvation.htm">Can I be certain of my salvation?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_prayer_not_heal_amputees.htm">Why does prayer not heal amputees?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_intimacy_with_god.htm">What defines an intimate relationship with God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) They which are the children.--The Apostle explains this restriction in a spiritual sense. Mere natural descent gives no claim to membership in the theocracy.Of the promise--i.e., not merely "promised children," but "children born through the miraculous agency of the promise;" the promise is regarded as being possessed of creative power. (Comp. <a href="/context/romans/4-18.htm" title="Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be.">Romans 4:18-20</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 8, 9. - 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 seed. For the word of promise is this, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son (<a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10</a>). In other words, it is not in virtue of mere carnal descent, but of the promise, that any are so counted; mere carnal descent establishes no claim. It is to be observed that in the first recorded promises to Abraham (<a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Genesis 13:15</a>; <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>; <a href="/genesis/17-7.htm">Genesis 17:7</a>) there was no restriction; and so through Ishmael, who is also called Abraham's seed (<a href="/genesis/21-13.htm">Genesis 21:13</a>), as well as through Isaac, the fulfilment might have been. But the subsequent promise (<a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19, 21</a>; <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10, 14</a>) limited it to Isaac; which limiting promise is, therefore, in ver. 9, referred to. With τέκνα τοῦ Θεοῦ in ver. 8 Compare ἡ υἱοθεσίαα (ver. 4), and also <a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm">Isaiah 63:16</a>. The apostle may have been led to use the expression here in view of the spiritual sonship to God of Christians (cf. <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a>, etc.)which was typified and prepared for by the υἱοθεσία of the chosen seed. A still further limitation of "the children of the promise" is next referred to; and one still more telling for the apostle's argument. It might be said that Ishmael was not, even carnally, the true seed, as being born, not of the wife, but of the bondwoman; or perhaps that he had forfeited any claim he might have had by his proved unworthiness (<a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9</a>, etc.). But Esau and Jacob were twin children, not only of the same patriarch (ἐξ ἑνοι`ς), but also of the same wedded wife; and yet one was chosen and the other rejected, and this even before birth; so that, as the selection was not due to carnal descent, so neither could it be due to proved desert. Thus by this second consideration is disposed of the Jew's assertion of an indefeasible claim to inheritance of the promises on the ground of his boasted works, as by the other is disposed of his claim on the ground of his race. St. Paul's argument to the Jews of his own day would be - You cannot set up a claim to be all of you the necessary inheritors of the promises for all time on the ground either of your carnal descent or of your works, since the selection of Israel himself did not depend on either of these grounds; nor can you say that my position (viz. that Christian believers, to the exclusion of most of you, are now the true inheritors of the promises) implies unfaithfulness in God to his ancient promises; for it is in accordance with the principle on which, according to your own Scriptures, he fulfilled of old his promises to the patriarchs. St. Paul, however, is not to be understood here as writing with a direct polemical intention, but rather as discussing a problem which had at one time perplexed himself, and which seemed to him to call for solution. <a href="/commentaries/romans/9-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So τοῦτ’ (tout’) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. it is ἔστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. not οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. the τὰ (ta) Article - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. children τέκνα (tekna) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5043.htm">Strong's 5043: </a> A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. of the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. flesh σαρκὸς (sarkos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4561.htm">Strong's 4561: </a> Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. [who are] ταῦτα (tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. God’s Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. children, τέκνα (tekna) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5043.htm">Strong's 5043: </a> A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. but [it is] ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. the τὰ (ta) Article - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. children τέκνα (tekna) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5043.htm">Strong's 5043: </a> A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. of the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. promise ἐπαγγελίας (epangelias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1860.htm">Strong's 1860: </a> A promise. From epaggello; an announcement. who are regarded λογίζεται (logizetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3049.htm">Strong's 3049: </a> To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. as εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. offspring. σπέρμα (sperma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4690.htm">Strong's 4690: </a> From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/9-8.htm">Romans 9:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/9-8.htm">NT Letters: Romans 9:8 That is it is not the children (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 9:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 9:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/9-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 9:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 9:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>