Romans 8:29 Study Bible: For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

◄ Romans 8:29 ►

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

Study Bible

For those God foreknew
The phrase "For those God foreknew" introduces the concept of divine foreknowledge. The Greek word used here is "proginōskō," which means to know beforehand. In a conservative Christian perspective, this foreknowledge is not merely awareness of future events but an intimate, relational knowledge. It implies that God, in His omniscience, has a personal and loving awareness of those who would come to faith. This foreknowledge is rooted in God's eternal nature, transcending time and space, and reflects His sovereign will and purpose.

He also predestined
The term "He also predestined" comes from the Greek word "proorizō," meaning to determine beforehand. This concept of predestination is central to understanding God's sovereign plan for salvation. It suggests that God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, has set a predetermined path for believers to follow. This does not negate human free will but rather assures believers that their salvation is part of God's eternal plan. It is a source of comfort and assurance, knowing that God has a purpose and destiny for each of His children.

to be conformed to the image of His Son
The phrase "to be conformed to the image of His Son" speaks to the ultimate goal of predestination. The Greek word "symmorphos" means to be shaped or molded into a likeness. This transformation is both a present and future reality for believers. In the present, it involves the process of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and Christlikeness. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding of discipleship as a journey of becoming more like Jesus. Ultimately, it points to the future glorification when believers will fully reflect the image of Christ.

so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers
The phrase "so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers" highlights the preeminence of Christ. The term "firstborn" (Greek: "prōtotokos") signifies rank and honor rather than chronological birth order. In the historical context, the firstborn son held a place of privilege and authority. Here, it emphasizes Christ's supremacy and His role as the head of the new creation. Believers, as "many brothers," are part of this new family, sharing in the inheritance and glory of Christ. This familial language underscores the intimate relationship between Christ and His followers, united in Him as children of God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. God
The sovereign Creator who foreknows and predestines believers.

2. Jesus Christ (His Son)
The image to which believers are conformed; the firstborn among many brothers.

3. Believers
Those whom God foreknew and predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Teaching Points

Foreknowledge and Predestination
God's foreknowledge is not merely foresight but an intimate, relational knowing. His predestination is rooted in His sovereign will and purpose.

Conformity to Christ
The ultimate goal of predestination is to be conformed to the image of Christ. This involves a transformation of character and conduct to reflect Jesus.

Christ as the Firstborn
Jesus is the preeminent one, the firstborn among many brothers, indicating His authority and our relationship as co-heirs with Him.

Sanctification Process
Conformity to Christ is an ongoing process of sanctification, requiring cooperation with the Holy Spirit and commitment to spiritual growth.

Assurance of God's Plan
Believers can have confidence in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He is working all things for their ultimate good and His glory.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding God's foreknowledge and predestination affect your view of His sovereignty and your personal faith journey?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in the process of being conformed to the image of Christ in your daily life?

3. How does recognizing Jesus as the firstborn among many brothers influence your relationship with Him and with other believers?

4. What practical steps can you take to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the sanctification process?

5. How can the assurance of God's plan for your life provide comfort and motivation during challenging times?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Ephesians 1:4-5
Discusses God's predestination and adoption of believers as His children, emphasizing His sovereign choice and love.

Colossians 1:15-18
Describes Christ as the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over all creation, highlighting His preeminence.

2 Corinthians 3:18
Speaks of believers being transformed into the image of Christ, reflecting the ongoing process of sanctification.

1 John 3:2
Assures believers that they will be like Christ when He appears, reinforcing the hope of future conformity to His image.

Sermons

Conformity to Christ		Romans 8:29
Conformity to Christ	Essex Congregational Remembrancer	Romans 8:29
Conformity to Christ	H. Drummond.	Romans 8:29
Conformity to Christ Predestinated	Biblical Museum	Romans 8:29
Developing the Image	E. A. Rand.	Romans 8:29
Foreknowledge and Predestination	Prof. Godet.	Romans 8:29
Glorious Predestination	C. H. Spurgeon.	Romans 8:29
God, in the Moral Restoration of Man	D. Thomas, D. D.	Romans 8:29
God's Means of Conforming Us to Christ		Romans 8:29
Likeness to Christ		Romans 8:29
On Predestination	John Wesley	Romans 8:29
Portraits of Christ	C. H. Spurgeon.	Romans 8:29
Predestination	John Wesley, M.A.	Romans 8:29
Predestination	P. Strutt.	Romans 8:29
Predestination	Prof. Beet.	Romans 8:29
The Believer's Conformity to Christ	Thomas Horton, D.D.	Romans 8:29
The Glorious Exemplar		Romans 8:29
The Image of Christ	J. Krummacher.	Romans 8:29
The Model and the Facsimile	W. Birch.	Romans 8:29
The Object of Predestination -- Conformity to Christ	S. Martin.	Romans 8:29
The True Ideal of Manhood	D. Thomas, D.D.	Romans 8:29
True Conformity	D. Thomas, D.D.	Romans 8:29
The Privileges and Responsibilities of the Children of God	C.H. Irwin	Romans 8:12-30
Salvation in Spite of Suffering	R.M. Edgar	Romans 8:18-30
God's Purpose in Christ	T.F. Lockyer	Romans 8:28-30

People

Paul, Romans

Places

Rome

Topics

Band, Bear, Beforehand, Brethren, Brothers, Conformed, Eldest, Existence, Family, Firstborn, First-born, Fore-appoint, Foreknew, Foreknow, Foreknown, Foreordained, Image, Likeness, Marked, Order, Predestinate, Predestinated, Predestined, Pre-destined, Vast

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Romans 8:29

     1020   God, all-knowing
     1040   God, fatherhood
     1130   God, sovereignty
     2069   Christ, pre-eminence
     2203   Christ, titles of
     2339   Christ, example of
     4065   orderliness
     5013   heart, divine
     5023   image of God
     5034   likeness
     5688   firstborn
     6214   participation, in Christ
     6610   adoption, descriptions
     8115   discipleship, nature of
     8117   discipleship, benefits
     8164   spirituality
     8217   conformity
     8244   ethics, and grace
     8271   holiness, purpose
     8348   spiritual growth, nature of
     8441   goals
     8449   imitating

Romans 8:28-29

1115 God, purpose of
8206 Christlikeness

Romans 8:28-30

     1412   foreknowledge
     6620   calling
     6746   sanctification, means and results
     8410   decision-making, examples

Romans 8:28-33

6622 choice

Romans 8:28-39

5805 comfort
6708 predestination

Romans 8:29-30

     5942   security
     6708   predestination
     7027   church, purpose
     8465   progress

Romans 8:29-39

6639 election, to salvation

Library

December 18:
December 18th. The misgiving which will creep sometimes over the brightest faith has already received its expression and its rebuke: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Shall these "changes in the physical state of the environment" which threaten death to the natural man, destroy the spiritual? Shall death, or life, or angels, or principalities, or powers, arrest or tamper with his eternal correspondences? …
Henry Drummond—Beautiful Thoughts

October 10. "If Ye, through the Spirit, do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live" (Rom. viii. 13).
"If ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom. viii. 13). The Holy Spirit is the only one who can kill us and keep us dead. Many Christians try to do this disagreeable work themselves, and they are going through a continual crucifixion, but they can never accomplish the work permanently. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, and when you really yield yourself to the death, it is delightful to find how sweetly He can slay you. By the touch of the electric spark they …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 6. "As Many as are Led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14).
"As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God" (Rom. viii. 14). The blessed Holy Spirit is our Guide, our Leader, and our Resting-place. There are times when He presses us forward into prayer, into service, into suffering, into new experiences, new duties, new claims of faith, and hope, and love, but there are times when He arrests us in our activity, and rests us under His overshadowing wing, and quiets us in the secret place of the Most High, teaching us some new lessons, breathing …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 12. "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). The life of Jesus Christ brought into our heart by the Holy Spirit, operates there as a new law of divine strength and vitality, and counteracts, overcomes and lifts us above the old law of sin and death. Let us illustrate these two laws by a simple comparison. Look at my hand. By the law of gravitation it naturally falls upon the desk and lies there, attracted downward by that natural law which makes heavy bodies fall …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 8. "For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me Free" (Rom. viii. 2).
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free" (Rom. viii. 2). There is a natural law of sin and sickness, and if we just let ourselves go and sink into the trend of circumstances we shall go down and sink under the power of the tempter. But there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in Christ Jesus to which we can rise and through which we can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down. But to do this requires real spiritual energy and fixed …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

September 27. "The Glorious Liberty of the Children of God" (Rom. viii. 21).
"The glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. viii. 21). Are you above self and self-pleasing in every way? Have you got above circumstances so that you are not influenced by them? Are you above sickness and the evil forces around that would drag down your physical life into the quicksands? These forces are all around, and if yielded to would quickly swamp us. God does not destroy sickness, or its power to hurt, but He lifts us above it. Are you above your feelings, moods, emotions and states? …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 11. "And He that Searcheth the Hearts Knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, Because He Maketh Intercession for the Saints According to the Will of God" (Rom. viii. 27).
"And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. viii. 27). The Holy Spirit becomes to the consecrated heart the Spirit of intercession. We have two Advocates. We have an Advocate with the Father, who prays for us at God's right hand; but the Holy Spirit is the Advocate within, who prays in us, inspiring our petitions and presenting them, through Christ, to God. We need this Advocate. We know …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 21. "Who Shall Separate us from the Love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35).
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 35). And then comes the triumphant answer, after all the possible obstacles and enemies have been mentioned one by one, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us." Our trials will be turned to helps; our enemies will be taken prisoners and made to fight our battles. Like the weights on yonder clock, which keep it going, our very difficulties will prove incentives to faith and prayer, and occasions …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

June 1. "That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us" (Rom. viii. 4).
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us" (Rom. viii. 4). Beloved friends, do you know the mistake some of you are making? Some of you say: "It is not possible for me to be good; no man ever was perfect, and it is no use for me to try." That is the mistake many of you are making. I agree with the first sentence, "No man ever was perfect"; but I don't agree with the second, "There is no use trying." There is a divine righteousness that we may have. I don't mean merely that which …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

October 13. "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7).
"The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. viii. 7). The flesh is incurably bad. "It is not subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, can be." It never can be any better. It is no use trying to improve the flesh. You may educate it all you please. You may train it by the most approved methods, you may set before it the brightest examples, you may pipe to it or mourn to it, treat it with encouragement or severity; its nature will always be incorrigibly the same. Like the wild hawk which the little …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 4. "Ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ He is None of His" (Rom. viii. 9).
"Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His" (Rom. viii. 9). A spiritual man is not so much a man possessing a strong spiritual character as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. So the apostle said: "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." The glory of the new creation, then, is not only that it recreates the human spirit, but that it fits …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience.
Text: Romans 8, 18-22. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 8, 18-22. REDEMPTION OF THE CREATURES. 1. We have heard how Paul comforts the Christians in their sufferings, pointing them to the future inconceivable and eternal glory to be revealed in us in the world to come; and how he has, for our greater consolation, reminded us that the whole creation as one being suffers in company with the Christian Church. We have noted how he sees, with the clear, keen eye of an apostle, the holy cross in every creature. He brings out this …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Eighth Sunday after Trinity Living in the Spirit as God's Children.
Text: Romans 8, 12-17. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: 13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Accusers Challenged
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies. T hough the collating of manuscripts and various readings has undoubtedly been of use in rectifying some mistakes which, through the inadvertency of transcribers, had crept into different copies of the New Testament, yet such supposed corrections of the text ought to be admitted with caution, and not unless supported by strong reasons and authorities. The whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God: and they who thankfully …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

August the Twenty-Fifth Impotent Enemies
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" --ROMANS viii. 31-39. Who can get between the love of Christ and me? What sharp dividing minister can cleave the two in twain, and leave me like a dismembered and dying branch? Terrible experiences cannot do it. "Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword!" All these may come about my house, but they cannot reach the inner sanctuary where my Lord and I are closeted in loving communion and peace. They may bruise my skin, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

May the Twenty-Eighth the Sons of God
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God." --ROMANS viii. 9-17. And how unspeakably wealthy are the implications of the great word! If a son, then what holy freedom is mine! Mine is not "the spirit of bondage." The son has "the run of the house." That is the great contrast between lodgings and home. And I am to be at home with the Lord. And if a son, then heir! "All things are yours." Samuel Rutherford used to counsel his friends to "take a turn" round their estate. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Sons and Heirs
'If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.'--ROMANS viii. 17. God Himself is His greatest gift. The loftiest blessing which we can receive is that we should be heirs, possessors of God. There is a sublime and wonderful mutual possession of which Scripture speaks much wherein the Lord is the inheritance of Israel, and Israel is the inheritance of the Lord. 'The Lord hath taken you to be to Him a people of inheritance,' says Moses; 'Ye are a people for a possession,' says …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Suffering with Christ, a Condition of Glory with Christ
'...Joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.'--ROMANS viii. 17. In the former part of this verse the Apostle tells us that in order to be heirs of God, we must become sons through and joint-heirs with Christ. He seems at first sight to add in these words of our text another condition to those already specified, namely, that of suffering with Christ. Now, of course, whatever may be the operation of suffering in fitting for the possession of …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Witness of the Spirit
'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.'--ROMANS viii. 18. The sin of the world is a false confidence, a careless, complacent taking for granted that a man is a Christian when he is not. The fault, and sorrow, and weakness of the Church is a false diffidence, an anxious fear whether a man be a Christian when he is. There are none so far away from false confidence as those who tremble lest they be cherishing it. There are none so inextricably caught in …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Revelation of Sons
'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.'--ROMANS viii. 19. The Apostle has been describing believers as 'sons' and 'heirs.' He drops from these transcendent heights to contrast their present apparent condition with their true character and their future glory. The sad realities of suffering darken his lofty hopes, even although these sad realities are to his faith tokens of joint-heirship with Jesus, and pledges that if our inheritance is here …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

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