The term “sons of God” occurs 10 times in the NASB. In the context of each occurrence, it means either angelic beings or people. It first occurs in Genesis 6:2 when it refers to the sons of God who took the daughters of men for wives. Their offspring were the Nephilim.  So, in this context who were the sons of God?

Generally speaking, the Jews and the Christian church all held to the belief that the sons of God were fallen angels who impregnated women. Their offspring again were the Nephilim.  The theory holds that this interbreeding program was an attempt to disrupt the messianic line and prevent the Messiah from being born. So, God destroyed everyone with the flood.

The Sethite theory says that the ‘sons of God’ in Gen. 6:2, 4 are the sons of Seth, who was Adam’s son (Gen. 4:25). They married the morally corrupt Cananite women (descendents of Cain). Their children were then referred to as the Nephilim. The sethite theory did not come about until the 1500s when the Christian church was criticized for the position of angels having relations with women.

In the book of Job 1:6; 2:1 it seems that the sons of God are angels, possibly both good and bad.  God speaks to Satan who was among them. So it’s possible that the sons of God were only the wicked angels, but the context does not necessitate that position.  Then later in the book, Job 38:7, it says the sons of God shouted for joy. This seems to be a reference to the good angels.

In the remaining occurrences of the term, they are all in the New Testament and they are speaking of the good people, the godly who have trusted in God. So, the term sons of God has two basic meanings. It refers to the angels, both good and bad, in the Old Testament. But in the New Testament, the phrase refers to believers.

Following is a table with each occurrence of the use of the term “sons of God” as it is in the NASB.

 

Address	Verse	Context	Meaning
John 1:12	“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”	Those who are trusting in Christ	Christians
John 11:52	“and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.”	Bring the flock of God together	Christians
Acts 17:29	“Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.”	Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill. The Greek is genos which means descendent, offspring.	Christians
Rom. 8:16	“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.”	Paul speaking of the redemption in Christ for those who trust in Him.	Christians
Rom. 8:21	“that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”	Paul speaking of Christians being raised in glory.	Christians
Rom. 9:8	“That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.”	Contrasting descendants of Israel with the true people of God	Christians
Phil. 2:15	“so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you dappear as lights in the world.”	Living the Christian life	Christians
1 John 3:1	“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.”	Living righteously	Christians
1 John 3:2	“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.”	Living righteously	Christians
1 John 3:10	“By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.”	Children of God contrasted with the children of the devil	Christians
1 John 5:2	“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.”	Loving other Christians by loving God and observing His commandments	Christians