Devine Scripture

Romans 8:29

What does Romans 8:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 8:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 8:29 means

Those whom God foreknew he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son. Foreknowledge here carries the sense of God’s prior loving regard, not mere foresight of actions. The goal is Christlikeness; salvation aims at reshaping us to reflect the Son’s character. Christ is the “firstborn among many brethren,” the preeminent elder brother whose resurrection inaugurates a family resemblance in a vast redeemed people. God’s purpose is thus both relational and transformative. He is not simply rescuing individuals but forming a Christ-shaped community. This verse anchors our hope: our destiny is fixed by God’s design to make us like Jesus, honoring the Son as head of a redeemed family.

Romans 8:29 in context

Romans 8 — No Condemnation, No Separation

The high-water mark of Paul's letters. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of life sets us free from the law of sin and death; the same Spirit cries 'Abba, Father' in our hearts and assures us we are children and heirs. Suffering is real, but the glory ahead is incomparably greater. All things work together for good to those who love God. And nothing — neither death nor life nor angels nor things present nor things to come — shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Justification
  • Indwelling Spirit
  • Adoption
  • Final perseverance

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because those of whom he had knowledge before they came into existence, were marked out by him to be made like his Son, so that he might be the first among a band of brothers:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

Verse 28 mentioned God’s purpose; verse 29 explains it: conformity to Christ, rooted in God’s foreknowledge and foreordination. This sets up verse 30’s “golden chain,” tracing the unbroken sequence from foreordination to calling, justification, and glorification. The argument is cumulative: God’s purpose is comprehensive and effectual, supplying the strongest possible grounds for the triumphant assurance that follows in verses 31–39.

v.28And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.

v.29This passage

v.30and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:49

    And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

  • John 17:19

    And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

  • John 17:16

    They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

  • Matthew 25:40

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:18

    But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.

  • John 17:26

    and I made known unto them thy name, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou lovedst me may be in them, and I in them.

Sermon ideas from Romans 8:29

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Romans 8:29 teaches us about justification

  • What Romans 8:29 teaches us about indwelling spirit

  • What Romans 8:29 teaches us about adoption

  • What Romans 8:29 teaches us about final perseverance

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Romans 8

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Romans 8.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Romans 8:29.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary