Because whom he has foreknown, he has also predestinated [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be [the] firstborn among many brethren. But whom he has predestinated, these also he has called; and whom he has called, these also he has justified; but whom he has justified, these also he has glorified.
Romans 8:27 But he who searches the hearts knows what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for saints according to God.
Romans 8:28 But we *do* know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose.
Romans 8:29 Because whom he has foreknown, he has also predestinated [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be [the] firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:30 But whom he has predestinated, these also he has called; and whom he has called, these also he has justified; but whom he has justified, these also he has glorified.
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who against us?
Romans 8:32 He who, yea, has not spared his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him grant us all things?
The verse centers on "called", "foreknow", "predestinate", "conformed to the image of his Son", "image of his Son", "firstborn among many brethren", "justified", and "glorified". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "called" and "foreknow", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.
The nearby context moves from verse 28's "But we do know that all things..." into verse 31's "What shall we then say to these...", so "called" and "foreknow" belong inside that flow. In The Spirit's Help and God's Purpose, the local focus is life in the Spirit, intercession, God's providence, and conformity to Christ.
A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "called" and "foreknow" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.