That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for. seed.

'children of the flesh' -i.e. Ishmael and other children of Abraham (Genesis 25:1). 'It signifies that not mere bodily descent from Abraham makes one. child of God--that was never the case, not even in Abraham's time.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 659) John the Baptist taught the same thing (Matthew 3:9; being descended from Abraham, didn't help the rich man- Luke 16:25 'Abraham said, Child..'; Paul had already touched upon this subject (Romans 2:28; see also Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:21)

'children of the promise' -'Promise' stresses the gracious nature of the whole thing.

'reckoned for. seed' -'are regarded as descendants' (NASV); 'are reckoned as his true offspring' (Mof)

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Old Testament