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.

ROMANS 8:29KJV
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Romans 8:29 (KJV)

What does Romans 8:29 mean?

Romans 8:29 says that God knew certain people ahead of time and decided that they would become like His Son, Jesus, so that Jesus would be the first and most honored among many brothers and sisters. The verse highlights God’s purpose for those He foreknew: to shape them to reflect Jesus’ character and standing in God’s family.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome, explaining how God’s plan works for those who love Him. Romans 8:29 follows the idea that God works all things for good for those called according to His purpose, and here Paul explains what that purpose is: being made like Christ. The verse sets up a chain of God’s actions—foreknowing, predestining, conforming—showing a process rooted in God’s initiative and desire for a family shaped by Jesus’ example.

The Greek behind Romans 8:29

  • προέγνω (proegnō, "foreknow"): This word means to know beforehand. In this context, it often carries the sense of God having a relationship or recognition of certain people ahead of time, not just knowing facts about them.
  • προώρισεν (proōrisen, "predestinate"): This means to decide or determine something ahead of time. Here, it points to God’s decision about the future shape and destiny of those He foreknew.
  • συμμόρφους (summorphous, "conformed"): This word means to be shaped or molded to match something else. Paul uses it to say believers are to be shaped to match the image of Jesus.
  • εἰκών (eikōn, "image"): This word means likeness or representation. The verse uses it to say believers are meant to reflect the character and nature of Jesus, not just outwardly but in who they are.

Why Romans 8:29 matters

  • Romans 8:29 clarifies that God’s goal for believers is not just forgiveness, but transformation—to become like Jesus in character and relationship to God.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s actions are purposeful and intentional, showing a plan that began before people responded to Him.
  • Understanding this verse helps connect the comfort of Romans 8:28 (“all things work together for good”) to a specific outcome: being shaped to reflect Christ, not just personal happiness or success.

Where else these words appear

“conformed” Greek G4832 · used in 2 verses

  • Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

“foreknow” Greek G4267 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
  • Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
  • 1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

“he” Greek G4309 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
  • Romans 8:30 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.
  • Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

“firstborn” Greek G4416 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
  • Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
  • Hebrews 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.