Romans 8.28-29

[theseed]

29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Many people cite this verse to support views on predestination. My point here is not to refute predestination or support it here, but explain this verse based on the proper syntax


This verse says that those God knew would be saved, he decided ahead of time (horizened) that they would be like Christ, making Christ the first born of many, and those that he conformed he called (or called forth), he made rightous, and He gave glory to.

kaleo (greek) = called; called forth

29 because whom He did foreknow, He also did fore-appoint, conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be first-born among many brethren;
30 and whom He did fore-appoint, these also He did call; and whom He did call, these also He declared righteous; and whom He declared righteous, these also He did glorify.

 

[JohnStevenson]

I would submit that the idea of "foreknowing" in this passage goes far beyond God merely having knowledge of a series of facts, for we also believe that God had foreknowledge of who would not be saved and yet they were not predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Instead, the idea of "foreknowledge" in this verse looks beyond the knowing of mere facts to that of a loving relationship. Such a use is common from the pages of the Old Testament where we read that "Adam knew his wife."

 

[theseed]

Thank you for your post.

 

[Chappie]

I would submit that the idea of "foreknowing" in this passage goes far beyond God merely having knowledge of a series of facts, for we also believe that God had foreknowledge of who would not be saved and yet they were not predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Instead, the idea of "foreknowledge" in this verse looks beyond the knowing of mere facts to that of a loving relationship. Such a use is common from the pages of the Old Testament where we read that "Adam knew his wife."

Not denying God's foreknowledge, but what causes you to suggest that the passage is dealing with a foreknowing of those that would be saved. I do see any reason to believe that what you suggest is there in that context. The passage appears to deal with the knowing (predestining) of a consequence of being saved, rather than being salvific.....

For whom God foreknew, knew is used to suggest a personal relationship. As in, Adam "Knew" Eve, and Cain was born; suggesting the most personal relationship possible between men. For whom God had a personal relationship with, those he predestined to be conformed into the image of Christ.

He did not predestin salvation, he predestined those that were saved: To be conformed into the image of Christ...