27. Comments on Romans 8:29-30

.... In the following passage we’ll examine three things very closely for chronology’s sake. They are the words ‘Moreover’ and ‘glorified’, and the phrase ‘whom He foreknew’:

.... "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

(Romans 8:29-30)

.... The first Greek word, ‘moreover (vs 30)', is a primary particle which shows an adversative or continuative sense (Strong’s 1161). It can simply be translated as ‘and’ or ‘but'. Thus, the passage may be interpreted as something like this:

.... ‘For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. But [understand this]: those who were predestined were first of all called, and then they were justified, and then they were glorified; [and only afterward were predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.]’

.... This changes the commonly understood order and allows the chronology to follow Christ Himself more closely: " . . . just as He chose us in Him . . . having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself . . ." (Eph 1:4-5). Predestination (Phase 2), adoption by Christ, and election in Christ is the proper chronology, followed by Predestination (Phase 3) in which we are conformed to His image.

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.... ‘Glorified’ is the second Greek word we need to think about (vs 30). Although it is sometimes used in relation to a future resurrected state, it is actually used more often to describe a present glory, relating to God Himself, or simply relating to those who have been saved because they are joined with Christ, as He was joined with the Father:

.... "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one"

(John 17:22)

.... The third source of controversy in this passage is the meaning of the phrase ‘whom He foreknew’ (vs 29) ‘ . . . Whom He foreknew, He predestined . . . ’ In what sense are they foreknown to God?

. .... In one sense all men are foreknown to God — Acts 15:18. And as we have seen, Predestination Phase 1 does pertain to all men, so the principle itself (that God predestines everyone He foreknows) is not lost. But now we are talking about Predestination Phase 3: ‘predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son’, so we are talking about a different group and another matter.

. .... Calvinism does not make a distinction between the different phases of predestination, and so it finds Romans 8:29 a difficult passage to deal with. They teach that only certain individuals (‘the elect’) are foreknown to God in the sense that this passage offers.

. .... Furthermore, some Calvinistic teachers do a word study of their own. As they would teach it, the Greek word for ‘foreknew’, which is ‘proginosko’, means ‘to know them in a sense of fellowship and acceptance.’ However, this argument falls through when we see the same root word, ‘ginosko’, used in passages such as Luke 16:15.

. .... Arminianism, likewise, makes no distinction between the different phases of predestination; and thus they, too, find this passage a difficult one to deal with. Arminianism teaches that God ‘foreknew’ those who would believe the gospel when they heard it, and so He predestined them to do so. But there is nothing in this context to support such a bold presumption. Apparently then, Arminianism’s actual purpose is not to explain predestination, but rather to explain it away. It becomes a mere formality if they would have believed even without it.

. .... The context itself is the best way to explain the meaning. Paul writes, "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew..."

. .... So then, those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose, are those whom He foreknew. As 1 Corinthians 8:3 tells us, "But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him." (ginosko).

. .... As we mention earlier in this study (the end of Section 21), the time of an individual’s calling seems to mark the beginning point of their relationship with God, and this is what the phrase actually refers to. In this sense at least, foreknowledge does not refer to a time before the beginning of the world.

. .... To understand that a new phase of predestination is being introduced simplifies the entire argument and puts it in its proper perspective. If one re-examines this passage in Romans, as commented upon here, it will make a lot more sense and its continuity will improve.

To continue this discussion with Part 28. Grace, click here.