God’s Word Translation
Romans 8:29
29This is true because he already knew his people and had already appointed them to have the same form as the image of his Son. Therefore, his Son is the firstborn among many children.
Romans 8:29 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
- New International Version (NIV)For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
- New King James Version (NKJV)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.
Context of Romans 8:29
27The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God’s people the way God wants him to. 28We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan. This is true because he already knew his people and had already appointed them to have the same form as the image of his Son. Therefore, his Son is the firstborn among many children. 30He also called those whom he had already appointed. He approved of those whom he had called, and he gave glory to those whom he had approved of. 31What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Read all of Romans 8Romans 8:29 word by word
ὅτι οὓς προέγνω, καὶ προώρισεν συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
- whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- he did foreknowπρογινώσκωproginōskō · to know/chooseG4267
- heπροορίζωproorizō · to predestineG4309
- alsoκαίkai · andG2532
- conformed toσύμμορφοςsummorphos · conformedG4832
- the imageεἰκώνeikōn · imageG1504
- ofυἱόςuihos · sonG5207
- hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- thatεἰςeis · towardG1519
- might beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- the firstbornπρωτότοκοςprōtotokos · firstbornG4416
- amongἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
Cross-references for Romans 8:29
- Romans 11:2God has not rejected his people whom he knew long ago. Don’t you know what Elijah says in the Scripture passage when he complains to God about Israel? He says,
- Exodus 33:12Moses said to the Lord, “You’ve been telling me to lead these people, but you haven’t let me know whom you’re sending with me. You’ve also said, ‘I know you by name, and I’m pleased with you.’
- Psalms 1:6The Lord knows the way of righteous people, but the way of wicked people will end.
- Jeremiah 1:5“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”
- Matthew 7:23Then I will tell them publicly, ‘I’ve never known you. Get away from me, you evil people.’
- 2 Timothy 2:19In spite of all that, God’s ⌞people⌟ have a solid foundation. These words are engraved on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Whoever worships the Lord must give up doing wrong.”
- 1 Peter 1:2God the Father knew you long ago and chose you to live holy lives with the Spirit’s help so that you are obedient to Jesus Christ and are sprinkled with his blood. May good will and peace fill your lives!
- Revelation 13:8Everyone living on earth will worship it, everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life. That book belongs to the lamb who was slaughtered before the creation of the world.
- Ephesians 1:5Because of his love he had already decided to adopt us through Jesus Christ. He freely chose to do this
- 1 Peter 1:20He is the lamb who was known long ago before the world existed, but for your good he became publicly known in the last period of time.
- Romans 13:14Instead, live like the Lord Jesus Christ did, and forget about satisfying the desires of your corrupt nature.
- John 17:16They don’t belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.
- 1 Corinthians 15:49As we have worn the likeness of the man who was made from the dust of the earth, we will also wear the likeness of the man who came from heaven.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18As all of us reflect the Lord’s glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- Ephesians 1:4Before the creation of the world, he chose us through Christ to be holy and perfect in his presence.
- Ephesians 4:24You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, with a life that truly has God’s approval and is holy.
Commentaries on Romans 8:29
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 29For whom he did foreknow, etc. - "In this and the following verse the apostle shows how our calling is an argument that all things work together to advance our eternal happiness, by showing the several steps which the wisdom and goodness of God have settled, in order to complete our salvation. In order to this he first gives us, in this verse, the foundation and finishing, or the beginning and end, of the scheme of our redemption: For whom God did…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 29For whom he did foreknow - The word used here ́ proegnōhas been the subject of almost endless disputes in regard to its meaning in this place. The literal meaning of the word cannot be a matter of dispute. It denotes properly to “know beforehand;” to be acquainted with future events. But whether it means here simply to know that certain persons would become Christians; or to ordain, and constitute them to be Christians, and to be saved, has been a…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 28-31Verses 28-31 That is good for the saints which does their souls good. Every providence tends to the spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking them off from sin, bringing them nearer to God, weaning them from the world, and fitting them for heaven. When the saints act out of character, corrections will be employed to bring them back again. And here is the order of the causes of our salvation, a golden chain, one which cannot be broken. 1. Whom he…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2929. For--as touching this "calling according to his purpose" (Ro 8:28). whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate--foreordain. In what sense are we to take the word "foreknow" here? "Those who He foreknew would repent and believe," say Pelagians of every age and every hue. But this is to thrust into the text what is contrary to the whole spirit, and even letter, of the apostle's teaching (see Ro 9:11; 2Ti 1:9). In Ro 11:2, and Psa 1:6, God's…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 8:29
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Romans 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries