Amir’s Claim
Amir Tsarfati says Paul distinguishes between “spiritual Israel” and “physical Israel” by referring only to believing Jews within the nation. According to him, Jewish believers in Jesus became “spiritual Israel,” while unbelieving Jews remained “physical Israel.” He insists this does not mean the Church is Israel, but only a subset of Jews.
This is a common Zionist argument — but it collapses when tested against Scripture.
Paul’s Actual Teaching
Romans 9:6 (KJV):
“For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.”
Paul makes a distinction here — but not the one Amir describes. Paul says not all who are descended from Israel (the nation after the flesh) are counted as true Israel. The true Israel is defined by promise, not bloodline.
Romans 9:8 (KJV):
“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.”
Here is the Spirit’s verdict: the fleshly lineage, even Abraham’s natural seed, is not enough. Only those born according to the promise are reckoned as the seed.
The Allegory of Two Israels
Paul sharpens this in Galatians 4:28–31:
“Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”
This is decisive. There are two Israels:
- Israel after the flesh — tied to natural descent, the covenant of Sinai, and bondage.
- Israel after the Spirit — born of promise, rooted in Christ, the heir of God.
Paul does not say “believing Jews are spiritual Israel while Gentiles remain outsiders.” Instead, he says: we (all who are in Christ) are the children of promise. Jew and Gentile, together, form the one holy nation.
The “Israel of God”
Galatians 6:15–16 (KJV):
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”
Amir wants to reserve “Israel of God” for ethnic Jews who believe in Christ. But Paul, under the Spirit, expands it to all who are a new creation. The rule is simple: circumcision or uncircumcision counts for nothing. What matters is being in Christ.
The Continuity of Promise
The New Testament consistently affirms that the promise made to Abraham is inherited by faith, not flesh:
- Romans 4:16 — Abraham is “the father of us all” who walk in faith.
- Ephesians 2:14–16 — Christ has broken down the middle wall, creating “one new man.”
- 1 Peter 2:9–10 — The Church, once “not a people,” is now “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation.”
Conclusion
Amir says “spiritual Israel” only refers to believing Jews within the nation. But Paul’s teaching is larger, richer, and Christ-centered: the children of promise, whether Jew or Gentile, are reckoned as true Israel.
There is no second way, no ethnic backdoor into the covenant. Fleshly lineage does not inherit the promises — only those born of the Spirit.
To cling to “Israel after the flesh” as God’s covenant people is to side with Ishmael instead of Isaac. Scripture calls us to cast out the bondwoman and embrace the freewoman, for we are the children of promise.
👉 Next post (Post 3) will tackle Amir’s use of Romans 11 and his claim that “all Israel shall be saved” means a future salvation of the political nation.