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Verse Takeaways
1
Spiritual, Not Physical, Lineage
Commentators unanimously stress that being a 'child of God' is not based on physical ancestry or heritage. Paul dismantles the common belief that being a descendant of Abraham automatically granted spiritual privilege. This established a crucial principle: God's family is defined by His spiritual promise, not by blood.
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Book Overview
Romans
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Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On Romans 9:8
18th Century
Theologian
They which are the children of the flesh. The natural descendants.
These are not the children of God. Are not necessarily …
AT Robertson
On Romans 9:8
The children of the promise (τα τεκνα της επαγγελιας). Not through Ishmael, but through Isaac. Only the children of the promise ar…
Charles Ellicott
On Romans 9:8
19th Century
Bishop
They which are the children.—The Apostle explains this restriction in a spiritual sense. Mere natural descent gives no cl…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Romans 9:8–10
19th Century
Preacher
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.…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Romans 9:8
The atmosphere of tragedy is qualified by Paul’s forthright denial that the course of events has taken God by surprise. If there is failure, it mus…
John Calvin
On Romans 9:8
16th Century
Theologian
That is, They are not, etc. He now gathers from God’s answer a proposition, which includes the whole of what he had in view. For if Isaac,…
John Gill
On Romans 9:8
17th Century
Pastor
That is, they which are the children of the flesh
This is an explanation of the foregoing verse, and shows, that by …
Matthew Henry
On Romans 9:6–13
17th Century
Minister
The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation did not break God's promise to the patriarchs. The promises and threats will be fulfilled. Gra…