“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” — Romans 8:14–15
When you hear the word “adoption,” your mind probably conjures up a modern image: a young couple tearfully signing papers at an adoption agency while grandma crochets a commemorative baby blanket. Praise God for that picture—but it’s not what Paul had in mind in Romans 8.
When Paul speaks of adoption, he’s not thinking sentimentality. He’s thinking legality. Roman legality. First-century, sword-and-toga, Caesar-appointing-heirs kind of legality.
Let’s dig into the cultural backdrop and then walk through Romans 8:14–17 with four glorious, gospel-rich implications for the believer.
The Roman Context: Power, Name, and Permanence
In first-century Rome, adoption wasn’t about taking in orphaned children. It was a power move. Wealthy men—especially those without worthy biological sons—would adopt grown men to serve as heirs. And it was binding.
This practice was so common that at least six Roman emperors were adopted to secure political legacy: Tiberius, Agrippa Postumus, and Nero among them. If the natural-born son was a disappointment (or dead), you found someone who wasn’t. That someone got your name, your property, and your place in the family. For life.
Being adopted into a royal Roman family was more binding than being born into one. Biological sons could themselves be sold off into adoption, but an adopted son legally could never be removed from the family.
That’s the world into which Paul drops this explosive truth:
You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons (Rom. 8:15).
Let’s walk through four adoption realities in Romans 8 that define your identity as a Christian.
1. You’ve Been Legally Transferred Into God’s Family
“…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons…” (Rom. 8:15)
This isn’t metaphorical language. It’s legal language. You were once in another household—under another father.
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.” (John 8:44)
You weren’t neutral. You weren’t a spiritual orphan. You had a father—and it wasn’t God. But through Christ, God has legally purchased you out of your old household and brought you into His own.
You weren’t fostered—you were redeemed and transferred. You’re no longer a child of wrath—you are a son of God, with all the rights and privileges that entails.
2. You Now Bear His Name
“…by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Rom. 8:15)
This is more than emotion—it’s authority. Roman adopted sons had the legal right to take the father’s name and call him “father.” No one else could.
You wouldn’t dare run up to Caesar and call him “Dad.” That was a good way to meet a Roman spear. But we—we—run to the throne of grace and cry, “Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:6). Not only are we not turned away, but He rejoices in our cry.
Sons speak differently than servants. They speak with confidence, because they bear the name of the Father. So do you.
3. This Standing Is Final and Irrevocable
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Rom. 8:16)
This is courtroom language. Under Jewish law (Deut. 19:15), two or three witnesses were required to establish a charge. In Roman courts, a witness bolstered credibility and permanence.
So what does God do? He gives us two witnesses:
His Holy Spirit
Our own regenerated spirit
“This testimony is joined with our spirit, that is, it confirms the testimony of our conscience, so that we may safely call God our Father.”
–John Calvin, Commentary on Romans
Your adoption is sealed by divine witness. You’re not guessing. You’re not hoping. You’re not trying to earn your place daily. You are permanently adopted—and legally confirmed.
4. You Will Receive an Inheritance
“…and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…” (Rom. 8:17)
The Roman system of adoption wasn’t about fuzzy feelings—it was about securing an heir.
And not just any heir. A fellow heir with Christ. That’s not hyperbole. Paul builds the logic throughout:
If you’re adopted, you’re a son
If you’re a son, you’re an heir
If you’re an heir, you inherit everything Christ has secured
What do we inherit?
“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil. 3:8)
Eternal life. Union with Christ. Unending communion with the Father. The restored joy of Eden in full bloom—forever.
From Pig Pens to Palaces
The prodigal son didn’t expect a ring or a robe. He expected to beg for servant status. But the father ran to him. He didn’t say, “Fine, you can stay in the barn.” He said, “Get my best robe. Kill the fattened calf. My son was lost—and is found.”
And friend, that’s not just a story. That’s your story.
You were once a prodigal in the mud, eating pig slop and chasing sin. But Christ pulled you out of the sty, clothed you in righteousness, and brought you home as a legal heir.
Final Thoughts: Sons, Not Strangers
You’re not a hired servant. You’re not a religious outsider. You’re not barely tolerated.
You’re a son of the King.
You bear His name. You have permanent standing. You will receive an eternal inheritance. And you have the legal, Spirit-sealed right to cry, Abba!
So walk like a son. Live like one. And when shame whispers otherwise, you remind it: “I’ve been adopted into the family of God, and my name is on the will.”
