Romans 9:8
What does Romans 9:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 9:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 9:8 means
Paul draws out the lesson: the status of being God’s child is not secured by physical descent but by God’s promise. Those who are counted as the seed are defined by the promise’s power, not biology. This clarifies why many within Israel may not partake of the saving blessings even while enjoying national privileges. God’s promise creates and identifies His people. Faith receives what promise gives; flesh cannot produce it. In God’s economy, the spiritual reality matters most: the heirs are those whom the promise names and claims. This prepares the way for the specific promise to Sarah, underscoring its miraculous, grace-based character.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000That 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901That 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949That is, it is not the children of the flesh, but the children of God's undertaking, who are named as the seed.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that is, the children of the flesh--these <FI>are<Fi> not children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for seed;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890That is, [they that are] the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children ofGod; but the children of the promise are reckoned as seed.
Context
Verses 8–9 interpret and illustrate the principle stated in verse 6 and exemplified in verse 7. Paul explains that promise, not flesh, defines the true heirs, and then cites the specific word of promise to Sarah (v. 9). The flow aims to show that from the start, God’s saving plan within Israel was selective and gracious. Next, in verses 10–13, Paul strengthens the point with the case of twins born to one father and one mother, where God’s choice precedes any human deeds.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 4:22
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.
- 1 John 3:1
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
- Romans 4:11
and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;
- Galatians 3:26
For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.
- Genesis 31:15
Are we not accounted by him as foreigners? for he hath sold us, and hath also quite devoured our money.
- John 1:13
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
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