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.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Paul states something very interesting here, Those whom He-God did foreknow, this is a place of contention for many. Foreknowledge what does it mean?
Those He did proginōskō that is, (Strong's) to know beforehand, to be previously acquainted with and Vine's states, "the foreknowledge" of God is the basis of His foreordaining counsels.
Albert Barnes a Presbyterian states this:
For whom he did foreknow - The word used here προέγνω proegnō has been the subject of almost endless disputes in regard to its meaning in this place. The literal meaning of the word cannot be a matter of dispute. It denotes properly to "know beforehand;" to be acquainted with future events. But whether it means here simply to know that certain persons would become Christians; or to ordain, and constitute them to be Christians, and to be saved, has been a subject of almost endless discussion. Without entering at large into an investigation of the word, perhaps the following remarks may throw light on it.
(1) it does not here have reference to all the human family; for all are not, and have not, been conformed to the image of his Son. It has reference therefore only to those who would become Christians, and be saved.
(2) it implies "certain knowledge." It was certainly foreseen, in some way, that they would believe, and be saved. There is nothing, therefore, in regard to them that is contingent, or subject to doubt in the divine Mind, since it was certainly foreknown.
(3) the event which was thus foreknown must have been, for some cause, certain and fixed; since an uncertain event could not be possibly foreknown. To talk of a foreknowing a contingent event, that is, of foreknowing an event as certain which may or may not exist, is an absurdity.
(4) in what way such an event became certain is not determined by the use of this word. But it must have been somehow in connection with a divine appointment or arrangement, since in no other way can it be conceived to be certain. While the word used here, therefore, does not of necessity mean to decree, yet its use supposes that there was a purpose or plan; and the phrase is an explanation of what the apostle had just said, that it was "according to the purpose of God" that they were called. This passage does not affirm why, or how, or, "on what grounds" God foreknew that some of the human family would be saved. It simply affirms the fact; and the mode in which those who will believe were designated, must be determined from other sources. This passage simply teaches that he knew them; that his eye was fixed on them; that he regarded them as to be conformed to his Son; and that, thus knowing them, he designated them to eternal life. The Syriac renders it in accordance with this interpretation: "And from the beginning he knew them, and sealed them with the image of his Son," etc. As, however, none would believe but by the influences of his Spirit, it follows that they were not foreknown on account of any faith which they would themselves exercise, or any goodworks which they would themselves perform, but according to the purpose or plan of God himself.
Romans 10:
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
What does Paul say here? Those who confess with their mouths and believe in their Heart that God raised Christ from the dead shall be saved. Those who call upon the Lord Shall be saved. So who will be saved, is it only those who God chose to be saved? Or is those who live a righteous life too?
Paul says those who confess, believe and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. He also states here that with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and confession comes through the mouth. With the heart unregenerate men believe, because believing makes on in right relationship with God!
We see then verses:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Paul ask and answers several questions here, first how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed. This is similar to the Calvanist question how can they call if they haven't been regenerated? How shall they believe in whom they have not heard? The so called unreached peoples o the world question we see here as well as all who are not believers. How shall they hear without a preacher?
Then we see:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
How shall they preach except they be sent? The preacher, evangelist and missionary must be called and answer that call to go and preach. But notice something Paul says in verse 16 "they have not all obeyed the Gospel" who hasn't obeyed the Gospel? Paul uses Isaiah as an example, who has believed our report, in other words who has obeyed the gospel call to salvation? Faith comes by hearing the gospel, not before thus regeneration comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God. Paul says have not they all heard, the world has all heard the sound of the gospel for it has gone out into all the earth! All the words have gone unto the ends of the earth. All have heard, gospel.
Paul states God knew beforehand those whom He Predestined, therefore what did Paul say? Those who God Predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ became that way by an Omniscient God who knew them Beforehand. Like Jacob and Esau were foreknown by God and one he Loved, the other it is said he hated. God knew them before they were born and He knew them before they were conceived, He based their being conformed to the image of His on that knowledge. We are saved by Grace, given the free choice to choose for or to reject Christ, while God already knows us and what choice we will make. He still let's all hear as Paul says to the ends of the World!
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Paul states something very interesting here, Those whom He-God did foreknow, this is a place of contention for many. Foreknowledge what does it mean?
Those He did proginōskō that is, (Strong's) to know beforehand, to be previously acquainted with and Vine's states, "the foreknowledge" of God is the basis of His foreordaining counsels.
Albert Barnes a Presbyterian states this:
For whom he did foreknow - The word used here προέγνω proegnō has been the subject of almost endless disputes in regard to its meaning in this place. The literal meaning of the word cannot be a matter of dispute. It denotes properly to "know beforehand;" to be acquainted with future events. But whether it means here simply to know that certain persons would become Christians; or to ordain, and constitute them to be Christians, and to be saved, has been a subject of almost endless discussion. Without entering at large into an investigation of the word, perhaps the following remarks may throw light on it.
(1) it does not here have reference to all the human family; for all are not, and have not, been conformed to the image of his Son. It has reference therefore only to those who would become Christians, and be saved.
(2) it implies "certain knowledge." It was certainly foreseen, in some way, that they would believe, and be saved. There is nothing, therefore, in regard to them that is contingent, or subject to doubt in the divine Mind, since it was certainly foreknown.
(3) the event which was thus foreknown must have been, for some cause, certain and fixed; since an uncertain event could not be possibly foreknown. To talk of a foreknowing a contingent event, that is, of foreknowing an event as certain which may or may not exist, is an absurdity.
(4) in what way such an event became certain is not determined by the use of this word. But it must have been somehow in connection with a divine appointment or arrangement, since in no other way can it be conceived to be certain. While the word used here, therefore, does not of necessity mean to decree, yet its use supposes that there was a purpose or plan; and the phrase is an explanation of what the apostle had just said, that it was "according to the purpose of God" that they were called. This passage does not affirm why, or how, or, "on what grounds" God foreknew that some of the human family would be saved. It simply affirms the fact; and the mode in which those who will believe were designated, must be determined from other sources. This passage simply teaches that he knew them; that his eye was fixed on them; that he regarded them as to be conformed to his Son; and that, thus knowing them, he designated them to eternal life. The Syriac renders it in accordance with this interpretation: "And from the beginning he knew them, and sealed them with the image of his Son," etc. As, however, none would believe but by the influences of his Spirit, it follows that they were not foreknown on account of any faith which they would themselves exercise, or any goodworks which they would themselves perform, but according to the purpose or plan of God himself.
Romans 10:
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
What does Paul say here? Those who confess with their mouths and believe in their Heart that God raised Christ from the dead shall be saved. Those who call upon the Lord Shall be saved. So who will be saved, is it only those who God chose to be saved? Or is those who live a righteous life too?
Paul says those who confess, believe and call upon the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. He also states here that with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and confession comes through the mouth. With the heart unregenerate men believe, because believing makes on in right relationship with God!
We see then verses:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Paul ask and answers several questions here, first how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed. This is similar to the Calvanist question how can they call if they haven't been regenerated? How shall they believe in whom they have not heard? The so called unreached peoples o the world question we see here as well as all who are not believers. How shall they hear without a preacher?
Then we see:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
How shall they preach except they be sent? The preacher, evangelist and missionary must be called and answer that call to go and preach. But notice something Paul says in verse 16 "they have not all obeyed the Gospel" who hasn't obeyed the Gospel? Paul uses Isaiah as an example, who has believed our report, in other words who has obeyed the gospel call to salvation? Faith comes by hearing the gospel, not before thus regeneration comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God. Paul says have not they all heard, the world has all heard the sound of the gospel for it has gone out into all the earth! All the words have gone unto the ends of the earth. All have heard, gospel.
Paul states God knew beforehand those whom He Predestined, therefore what did Paul say? Those who God Predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ became that way by an Omniscient God who knew them Beforehand. Like Jacob and Esau were foreknown by God and one he Loved, the other it is said he hated. God knew them before they were born and He knew them before they were conceived, He based their being conformed to the image of His on that knowledge. We are saved by Grace, given the free choice to choose for or to reject Christ, while God already knows us and what choice we will make. He still let's all hear as Paul says to the ends of the World!
