Romans 8:29

Roman 8:29

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.

a. NLT: For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

b. 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.

c. YLT: because whom He did foreknow, He also did fore-appoint, conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be first-born among many brethren;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was ^[k]aware and ^[l]loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

e. Worrell Translation: because whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren

1. “For whom he did foreknow…”

a. for [3754 * hoti] [Strong: neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

b. whom [3739 * hos,  including feminine he hay, and neuter ho] [Strong: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

c. he did foreknow [4267 * proginosko; pro-before; ginosko-to know] [Strong: from 4253 and 1097; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee:--foreknow (ordain), know (before).] [Zodhiates: To perceive or recognize beforehand, know previously, take into account or specially consider beforehand.]

1). God is omniscient, He knows all things.

a). Isaiah 46:9, 10   Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

b). 1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

c). Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

2). Therefore there is not a person born into this earth that he did not fore know, this covers every person.

2. “…he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…”

a. he did…predestinate [4309 * pro-before; horizo-to determine] [Strong:  from 4253 and 3724; to limit in advance, i.e. (figuratively) predetermine:--determine before, ordain, predestinate.]

b. to be conformed [4832 * summorphos; sun-together with; morphe-form ] [Strong: from 4862 and 3444; jointly formed, i.e. (figuratively) similar:--conformed to, fashioned like unto.]

c. to the image [1504 * eikon] [Strong: from 1503; a likeness, i.e. (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance:--image.]

d. of his [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

e. Son [5207 * huios] [Strong: apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:--child, foal, son.]

3. “…that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

a. that [1519 * eis] [Strong: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

b. he [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

c. might be [1511 * einai] [Strong: present infinitive from 1510; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.]

d. the firstborn [4416 * prototokos; protos-first; tikto-bear, bring forth] [Strong: from 4413 and the alternate of 5088; first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively):--firstbegotten(-born).] [Zodhiates: firstborn, preeminent.]

1). The word prototokos is theologically loaded word and is found 9 times in the NT, three times it is referring to the firstborn son, (Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:7; Hebrews 11:28). In its other uses it gives preeminence to Christ or substance to our redemption.

a). Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

(1) Vincent: It implies a prototype, and embodies the essential verity of its prototype.

(2) I personally believe that the above definition could be applied also to Hebrews 1:6

b). Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

(1) This is the assembly in heaven of those born again. A church of thos made up of born again men and women, boys and girls in heaven.

c). Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

d). Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

(1) Both Colossians 1:18 and Revelation 1:5 refer to Jesus Christ as being the first human who was born again. Jesus was born again in hell and then raised from the dead.

e). Romans 8:29 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.

(1) Jesus was the first person born again and he was to be the first of many born again.

e. among [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

f. many [4183 * polus] [Strong:  including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

g. brethren [80 * adephos] [Strong:  from 1 (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like 1):--brother.]