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.
Original Language Analysis
ἔστιν
G2076
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκὸς
of the flesh
G4561
σαρκὸς
of the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
7 of 19
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπαγγελίας
of the promise
G1860
ἐπαγγελίας
of the promise
Strong's:
G1860
Word #:
16 of 19
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
λογίζεται
are counted
G3049
λογίζεται
are counted
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
17 of 19
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Historical Context
This principle reappears throughout redemptive history: Cain/Abel, Ishmael/Isaac, Esau/Jacob, Saul/David. God's choosing doesn't follow primogeniture or human expectation. The pattern establishes that covenant membership depends on divine call, not human lineage—crucial for Gentile inclusion (v. 24).
Questions for Reflection
- How does John 1:12-13 ('born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God') reinforce Paul's argument?
- What privileges of 'flesh' (family heritage, church background, baptism) might you wrongly trust for salvation?
- How does the promise/flesh distinction explain why evangelism within covenant families is still necessary?
Analysis & Commentary
They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God—Paul explicitly interprets the Ishmael/Isaac typology. Tekna tēs sarkos (τέκνα τῆς σάρκας, 'children of the flesh') refers to natural descent apart from promise. Tekna tou theou (τέκνα τοῦ θεοῦ, 'children of God') are those born by divine promise and Spirit (John 1:12-13). Natural generation doesn't produce spiritual life.
But the children of the promise are counted for the seed—the verb logizetai (λογίζεται, 'reckoned/counted') is Paul's favored term for forensic justification (4:3-5). God imputes covenant status to promise-children, not flesh-children. This demolishes Jewish presumption based on Abrahamic descent. Birth privileges mean nothing without new birth. Election operates through promise received by faith, not through genetic inheritance.