A Theology of Adoption, Part Nine

Adoption in the Writings of Paul

Paul uses adoption language and imagery to convey the truth that believers have become children of God through their faith in Jesus Christ. “For Paul, in Galatians, all believers are children of Abraham through faith and children of God through adoption.”1 For Paul, the term conveys more than a caregiver relationship. Writing to Romans, Paul chose the metaphor of adoption, which in Rome meant that “the person adopted (at any age) was taken out of his previous condition, all old debts were cancelled, and he started a new life in the relation of sonship to the new paterfamilias, whose family name he took and to whose inheritance he was entitled.”2 This idea of radical new identity resulting from adoption would have been clear to Paul’s readers. The important issue of inheritance would be equally obvious, since the main motivation behind Greco-Roman adoption was to secure inheritance. Using adoption language to describe the standing of Gentiles in relation to God therefore paints a vivid picture of who now inherits eternal life. The Old Testament frequently uses adoption imagery to describe God’s relationship with Israel. Paul confirms that, through Christ, God is extending that same adoption offer to the non-Israelites who believe.

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Rom 8:15-17)

In Paul’s writing, adoption is the very essence of the Gospel. It is central to the redemptive plan of God, and demonstrates the profound, sacrificial love and mercy He extends to His creation. “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Gal 4:5-7)

One marked difference, however, between God’s adoption of believers and the Roman adoption practices is that God is not motivated by any merit on the part of the adoptee. He adopts out of the goodness and love that so typify Him. “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”(Eph 1:4-6)

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1. David L. Bartlett, “Adoption in the Bible,” in The Child in the Bible, ed. Marcia J. Bunge, (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008), 390.
2. Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 3rd ed., (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), 65.