The next passage is lengthy, but it gives a biblical definition of Israel. Paul bases this definition on Old Testament theology, so therefore we cannot say that this is New Testament replacement theology, or an innovation of the New Covenant. Paul proves his theology from the Old Covenant, showing that God’s view of Israel has always been the same. Paul goes back to Genesis:
…for they are not all Israel who are Israel. Neither because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac your seed shall be called. (Rom 9:6-7).
Here Paul ascribes two meanings to the word Israel. First, Israel is a term that refers to the children of God, not to a nation. Then he also mentions the national race of Israel. He says that not all in the nation of Israel are Israel, that is, the children of God.
Israel means the children of God. Paul claims that not all Abraham’s natural children are Abraham’s seed. “In Isaac your seed shall be called” means that it is the children of promise, not Abraham’s natural seed, who are Abraham’s true seed. Isaac was born by promise, not by Abraham’s natural ability, “not by the will of the flesh.” (John 1:13).
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. (Rom 9:8).
Natural descent does not make someone a child of God. God makes children Himself by faith, promise, grace and election, i.e. by His Spirit. The seed of Abraham are those in Christ. Paul then shows the same again, by referring to Esau and Jacob.
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