Romans 8:29-30 (DRB)

Passage

For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made conformable to the image of his Son: that he might be the Firstborn amongst many brethren. And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Nearby Context

Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what the Spirit desireth: because he asketh for the saints according to God.

Romans 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together unto good: to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints.

Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made conformable to the image of his Son: that he might be the Firstborn amongst many brethren.

Romans 8:30 And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who is against us?

Romans 8:32 He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how hath he not also, with him, given us all things?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "called", "predestinate", "image of his Son", "justified", "glorified", "foreknew", "predestinated", and "conformable". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "called" and "predestinate", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 28's "And we know that to them that..." into verse 31's "What shall we then say to these...", so "called" and "predestinate" 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 "predestinate" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.