Bible Strands
Romans 9:7
Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the church in Rome, addressing Jewish and Gentile believers regarding the scope of God’s covenant promises. He speaks at the moment of clarifying how divine election operates within Abraham’s lineage.
The words — οὐδ᾽ (oud᾽) means “nor,” and ἀλλ᾽ (all᾽) means “rather,” structuring a direct negation followed by a corrective clause. σπέρμα (sperma) translates literally to “seed” or “offspring,” specifying the exact line of descent.
The thread — Paul directly quotes the promise “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned” (Genesis 21:12; Hebrews 11:18) to anchor his argument in established Scripture. This verse immediately precedes Romans 9:8, where he expands the point by distinguishing children of the flesh from children of the promise.
Why it lands — The text states that covenant standing rests on divine promise rather than universal biological descent. It asks a reader to stop equating ethnic heritage with spiritual inheritance and to accept promise as the sole criterion for belonging.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Cross-references
- Genesis 21:12 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.
- Hebrews 11:18 even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
- John 8:37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you.
- Galatians 4:23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.
- Luke 3:8 Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
- Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
- Luke 16:24 So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’
- Luke 16:30 ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’
- John 8:33 “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?”