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Biblical Role of God's Children on Earth

The concept of "children of God" in biblical thought encompasses various meanings, referring to different groups and relationships with the divine. In the Old Testament, the phrase "sons of God" (bene Elohim) is used in Genesis 6:2, 4 to denote the pious descendants of Seth [1, 12]. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a Jewish commentator, suggests that "sons of God" could refer to the children of judges who dispensed God's justice, or to holy ones living on earth, drawing a parallel to Deuteronomy 14:1, "Ye are the children of the Lord your God" [12]. The term also appears in Job 1:6 and 38:7, where it is applied to angels [1]. Hosea uses the phrase in 1:10 to describe the gracious relationship between men and God [1]. The nation of Israel is also referred to as God's children, a people God called to be his own, as seen in Exodus 4:22, Jeremiah 3:19, 31:9, and Hosea 11:1 [13].

In the New Testament, the phrase "children of God" frequently denotes the relationship believers enter into with God through adoption [1]. This adoption is not merely a legal status but signifies an intimate relationship and the inheritance of promises and blessings [13]. Paul emphasizes this in Romans 8:14, 19; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 4:5, 6; and Philippians 2:15 [1]. John also speaks of this relationship in 1 John 3:1, 2 [1]. The Apostle John further clarifies that regeneration and faith manifest individuals as children of God, though adoption itself is an act of God's grace that precedes regeneration [15].

The role of God's children on Earth is multifaceted, stemming from this adopted relationship. One primary aspect is bearing witness to God's character and will. As children of God, believers are called to reflect their Father's nature. Jesus, who is distinctively called the "Son of God" thirty-seven times in the New Testament [1], serves as the ultimate model. His lineage is traced back to David and Abraham [6], and he is also referred to by numerous other titles such as Alpha and Omega, Advocate, and Bread of Life [8]. The incarnation of the Son of God, his taking on human nature, made him a brother to humanity, sharing in "flesh and blood" [17, 18]. This act of Christ underscores the divine intention for humanity to be in relationship with God.

The New Testament highlights that being a child of God implies a transformation of life and conduct. Paul contrasts "children of the flesh" with "children of the promise," stating that it is the latter who are regarded as God's offspring (Romans 9:8) [5]. This distinction emphasizes that the relationship is not based on natural descent but on divine promise and spiritual rebirth. The "children of God" are contrasted with those described as "children of the devil," "children of the wicked one," or "children of disobedience" [3]. This contrast implies a moral and spiritual distinction, where God's children are expected to live in obedience and faith.

The role also involves a sense of belonging and community. The children of Israel, for example, blessed God and lived in their land, which the Lord gave them [2, 10]. This communal aspect is echoed in the New Testament understanding of the church as the family of God. Early Christian writers, such as Justin Martyr, affirmed that Christians are the "sons of God," citing David's words, "God standeth in the congregation of gods; He judgeth among the" [19]. Clement of Alexandria further states that "all who walk according to truth are children of God" [16]. This suggests that living in accordance with divine truth is a hallmark of God's children.

Furthermore, the children of God are called to participate in God's redemptive plan. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that God's intention was to "put thee among the children," referring to the high and honorable privilege of adoption, which includes being brought up, fed, and clothed as children of the King of kings [14]. This implies a responsibility to live out this privileged status. The psalmist invites people to "come, and see God’s deeds—awesome work on behalf of the children of men" (Psalms 66:5) [11], suggesting that God's actions are for the benefit of humanity, and by extension, his children are to be instruments of his work.

The concept of "children of God" also carries an eschatological dimension. As "children of the Living God" (Romans 9:26) [7], believers are heirs to an eternal inheritance. This future hope motivates their present conduct and their role in the world. They are not merely passive recipients of grace but active participants in God's ongoing work. The names given to saints in the Bible, such as "believers," "beloved of God," and "children of the Father," underscore their identity and calling [7]. Names like Neariah, meaning "child of the Lord," and Jemuel, meaning "son of God," further illustrate this ancient understanding of a special relationship with God [4, 9].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Son of God — The plural, "sons of God," is used (Gen. 6:2, 4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stand to God. In the New Testament this phrase frequently denotes the relation into which we are brought to God by adoption (Rom. 8:14, 19; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 4:5, 6; Phil. 2:15; 1 John 3:1, 2). It occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament as the distinctive title of our Saviour. He does not bear this title in consequence of his mirac”
  2. Numbers “Numbers 32:4 (BBE) — The land which the Lord gave into the hands of the children of Israel, is a land for cattle, and your servants have cattle.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of the Wicked — Adversaries of the Lord -- 1Sa 2:10. Children of Belial -- De 13:13; 2Ch 13:7. Children of the devil -- Ac 13:10; 1Jo 3:10. Children of the wicked one -- Mt 13:38. Children of hell -- Mt 23:15. Children of base men -- Job 30:8. Children of fools -- Job 30:8. Children of strangers -- Isa 2:6. Children of transgression -- Isa 57:4. Children of disobedience -- Eph 2:2; Col 3:6. Children in whom is no faith -- De 32:20. Children of the flesh -- Ro 9:8. Children of iniquity -- Ho 10:9. Children that will not hear the law of the Lord -- Isa”
  4. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Neariah — child of the Lord”
  5. Romans “Romans 9:8 (BSB) — So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.”
  6. Matthew “Matthew 1:1 (Darby) — Book of the generation of Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of Saints — Believers -- Ac 5:14; 1Ti 4:12. Beloved of God -- Ro 1:7. Beloved brethren -- 1Co 15:58; Jas 2:5. Blessed of the Lord -- Ge 24:31; 26:29. Blessed of the Father -- Mt 25:34. Brethren -- Mt 23:8; Ac 12:17. Brethren of Christ -- Lu 8:21; Joh 20:17. Called of Jesus Christ -- Ro 1:6. Children of the Lord -- De 14:1. Children of God -- Joh 11:52; 1Jo 3:10. Children of the Living God -- Ro 9:26. Children of the Father -- Mt 5:45. Children of the Highest -- Lu 6:35. Children of Abraham -- Ga 3:7. Children of Jacob -- Ps 105:6. Children of promise”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of Christ — Adam, Second -- 1Co 15:45. Almighty -- Re 1:18. Amen -- Re 3:14. Alpha and Omega -- Re 1:8; 22:13. Advocate -- 1Jo 2:1. Angel -- Ge 48:16; Ex 23:20,21. Angel of the Lord -- Ex 3:2; Jdj 13:15-18. Angel of God's presence -- Isa 63:9. Apostle -- Heb 3:1. Arm of the Lord -- Isa 51:9; 53:1. Author and Finisher or our faith -- Heb 12:2. Blessed and only Potentate -- 1Ti 6:15. Beginning of the creation of God -- Re 3:14. Branch -- Jer 23:5; Zec 3:8; 6:12. Bread of Life -- Joh 6:35,48. Captain of the Lord's hosts -- Jos 5:14,15. Captain of salvat”
  9. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jemuel — God's day; son of God”
  10. Joshua “The thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and spoke no more of going up against them to war, to destroy the land in which the children of Reuben and the children of Gad lived. -- Joshua 22:33”
  11. Psalms “Come, and see God’s deeds— awesome work on behalf of the children of men. -- Psalms 66:5”
  12. Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 6:2: THE SONS OF GOD. The term bene Elohim (the sons of god) refers to the sons of the judges who dispensed God’s ( Elohim ) justice. 1 See I.E.’s comment on Gen. 1:1. Others say that Elohim refers to God Himself and the sons of God are holy ones (saints) living on earth. They are called sons of God in the sense of Ye are the children of the Lord your God (Deut. 14:1). Others say that the sons of God refers to the children of Seth 2 Concerning whom it is written that he was created in God’s image. See I.E.’s comment on Gen. 5:1. and that the daughters of man refers ”
  13. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 8:14: 8:14 children of God: In the Old Testament, this phrase referred to Israel, the people God called to be his own (see especially Exod 4:22; Jer 3:19; 31:9; Hos 11:1). Paul uses it to remind believers that they enjoy an intimate relationship with God and that they will inherit many of the promises and blessings given to Israel. Christians are no longer minors or slaves, but mature children with full rights (see Gal 4:1-7).”
  14. Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 3:19: But I said,.... Within himself, in the thoughts of his heart, when he took up a resolution concerning their conversion, open adoption, and return to their own land, as a symbol of the eternal inheritance: how shall I put thee among the children? among the children of God, who are so by special adopting grace, which is a high and honourable privilege, greater than to be the sons and daughters of the greatest potentate on earth; who as they are high birth, being born of God, so they are brought up, and fed, and clothed as the children of the King of kings; they have”
  15. 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3:10: In this the children of God are manifest,.... By regenerating grace, and not sinning, in the sense before explained, in consequence of it: adoption is an act of God's grace and sovereign will; it is secret in his own heart, and is secured in divine predestination, and in the covenant of grace, and is antecedent to regeneration: regeneration and faith do not make men the children of God, but manifest them to be so; adoption makes them the children of God, and entitles them to the inheritance; regeneration gives them the nature of the children of God, and makes them mee”
  16. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. V.--ALL WHO WALK ACCORDING TO TRUTH ARE CHILDREN OF GOD. (part 8): us with joy, who have been redeemed from corruption by the blood of the Lord. Isaac did everything but suffer, as was right, yielding the precedence in suffering to the Word. Furthermore, there is an intimation of the divinity of the Lord in His not being slain. For Jesus rose again after His burial, having suffered no harm, like Isaac released from sacrifice. And in defence of the point to be established, I shall adduce another consideration of t”
  17. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 126: substance of the Virgin Mary.” This is involved in the Scriptural statement that He was born of a woman, which can only mean that He was born in the sense in which other children of men are born of women. This is essential to his true humanity, and to that likeness to men which makes them his brethren, and which was se cured by his taking part in flesh and blood. ( Heb. ii. 14 .) The incarnation of the Son of God, his stooping to take into personal and perpetual union with Himself a nature infinitely lower than his own, was an act of uns”
  18. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 2:13: Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,.... By the children are meant, not the children of this world, or the men of it; nor the children of the flesh, or Abraham's natural seed; nor visible professors of religion; nor the apostles of Christ only; but all the children of God, the children given to Christ; all the sons that are brought to glory: these "are partakers of flesh and blood"; of human nature, which is common to them all, and which is subject to infirmity and mortality; and the sense is, that they are frail mortal men: and this being”
  19. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. CXXIV.--CHRISTIANS ARE THE SONS OF GOD.: And when I saw that they were perturbed because I said that we are the sons of God, I anticipated their questioning, and said, "Listen, sirs, how the Holy Ghost speaks of this people, saying that they are all sons of the Highest; and how this very Christ will be present in their assembly, rendering judgment to all men. The 262 words are spoken by David, and are, according to your version of them, thus: 'God standeth in the congregation of gods; He judgeth among the”
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