Romans 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.
Romans 9:8 in other translations
| BSB | 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. |
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| WEB | 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. |
| ASV | 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. |
| YLT | that is, the children of the flesh--these are not children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for seed; |
| DARBY | That is, they that are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned as seed. |
| BBE | That is, it is not the children of the flesh, but the children of God's undertaking, who are named as the seed. |
| Webster | 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. |
What does Romans 9:8 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 9:7-9
7-9. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children--"Not in the line of mere fleshly descent from Abraham does the election run; else Ishmael, Hagar's child, and even Keturah's children, would be included, which they were not." but--the true election are such of Abraham's seed as God unconditionally chooses, as exemplified in that promise. in Isaac shall thy seed be called--(Ge 21:12).
Barnes' Notes
These are not the children of God. Are not of necessity the adopted children of God; or are not so in virtue of their descent merely. This was in opposition to one of the most settled and deeply-cherished opinions of the Jews. They supposed that the mere fact of being a Jew entitled a man to the blessings of the covenant, and to be regarded as a child of God. But the apostle shows them that it was not by their natural descent that these spiritual privileges were granted; that they were not conferred on men simply from the fact that they were Jews; and that consequently those who were not Jews might become interested in those spiritual blessings.
But the children of the promise. The descendants of Abraham on whom the promised blessings would be bestowed. The sense is, that God at first contemplated a distinction among the descendants of Abraham, and intended to confine his blessings to such as he chose; that is, to those to whom the promise particularly appertained, to the descendants of Isaac. The argument of the apostle is, that the principle was thus established that a distinction might be made among those who were Jews; and as that distinction had been made in former times, so it might be under the Messiah.
Are counted. Are regarded, or reckoned. God reckons things as they are; and therefore designed that they should be his true children.
As the seed. The spiritual children of God; the partakers of his mercy and salvation. This refers, doubtless, to spiritual privileges and to salvation; and therefore has relation not to nations as such, but to individuals.
(k) "children of the promise" Gal 4:28
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 9:6-13
The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation, did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threatenings shall be fulfilled. Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits always found with outward church privileges. Not only some of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but God therein wrought according to the counsel of his own will. God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born…
Romans 9:8 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Romans 9:8
- John 1:13
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
- Romans 4:11-16
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: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: …
- Galatians 3:26-29
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
- Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
- Galatians 4:22-31
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. …
- 1 John 3:1-2
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
- Psalms 87:6
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
- Psalms 22:30
A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
- Genesis 31:15
Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4:11-16; Ga 4:22-31
are counted.
Ge 31:15; Ps 22:30; 87:6; Joh 1:13; Ga 3:26-29; 4:28; 1Jo 3:1,2
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Romans 9:7
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
- Romans 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.
- Romans 9:9
For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
Romans 9:8 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Quiere decir: No los que son hijos de la carne, éstos son los hijos de Dios; mas los que son hijos de la promesa, son contados en la generación. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | c’est-à-dire, ce ne sont pas les enfants de la chair qui sont enfants de Dieu; mais les enfants de la promesse sont comptés pour semence. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Das ist: Nicht die Kinder des Fleisches, diese sind Kinder Gottes, sondern die Kinder der Verheißung werden als Same gerechnet. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | id est, non qui filii carnis, hi filii Dei: sed qui filii sunt promissionis, æstimantur in semine. |