Rom 8:28-30 | RWP | e4.org | All things work together ( παντα συνεργε ). A B have ο θεος as the subject of συνεργε (old verb, see on ; ). That is the idea anyhow. It is God who makes "all things work together" in our lives "for good" ( εις αγαθον ), ultimate good. According to his purpose ( κατα προθεσιν ). Old word, seen already in and for "shewbread" in . The verb προτιθημ Paul uses in for God's purpose. Paul accepts fully human free agency but behind it all and through it all runs God's sovereignty as here and on its gracious side ( ; ; ).

‏ Romans 8:28-30

All things work together ( παντα συνεργε ). A B have ο θεος as the subject of συνεργε (old verb, see on 1Co 16:16; 2Co 6:1). That is the idea anyhow. It is God who makes "all things work together" in our lives "for good" ( εις αγαθον ), ultimate good.

According to his purpose ( κατα προθεσιν ). Old word, seen already in Ac 27:13 and for "shewbread" in Mt 12:4. The verb προτιθημ Paul uses in 3:24 for God's purpose. Paul accepts fully human free agency but behind it all and through it all runs God's sovereignty as here and on its gracious side (9:11; 3:11; 2Ti 1:9).

Foreknew ( προεγνω ). Second aorist active indicative of προγινωσκω, old verb as in Ac 26:5. See Ps 1:6 (LXX) and Mt 7:23. This fore-knowledge and choice is placed in eternity in Eph 1:4.

He foreordained ( προωρισεν ). First aorist active indicative of προοριζω, late verb to appoint beforehand as in Ac 4:28; 1Co 2:7. Another compound with προ- (for eternity).

Conformed to the image ( συμμορφους της εικονος ). Late adjective from συν and μορφη and so an inward and not merely superficial conformity. Εικων is used of Christ as the very image of the Father (2Co 4:4; Col 1:15). See Php 2:6f. for μορφη. Here we have both μορφη and εικων to express the gradual change in us till we acquire the likeness of Christ the Son of God so that we ourselves shall ultimately have the family likeness of sons of God. Glorious destiny.

That he might be ( εις το εινα αυτον ). Common idiom for purpose.

First born among many brethren ( πρωτοτοκον εν πολλοις αδελφοις ). Christ is "first born" of all creation (Col 1:15), but here he is "first born from the dead" (Col 1:18), the Eldest Brother in this family of God's sons, though "Son" in a sense not true of us.

Called ( εκαλεσεν )

--Justified ( εδικαιωσεν )

--Glorified ( εδοξασεν ). All first aorist active indicatives of common verbs ( καλεω, δικαιοω, δοξαζω ). But the glorification is stated as already consummated (constative aorists, all of them), though still in the future in the fullest sense. "The step implied in εδοξασεν is both complete and certain in the Divine counsels" (Sanday and Headlam).