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.

ROMANS 8:30KJV
Know the Bible

Romans 8:30 (KJV)

What does Romans 8:30 mean?

Romans 8:30 describes a sequence of actions God takes for certain people: those whom God predestined, God also called; those God called, God also justified; and those God justified, God also glorified. The verse presents these steps as a connected chain, showing God's initiative and purpose in the lives of believers.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, explaining how God's plan for salvation unfolds from start to finish. The verse comes in a section where Paul is assuring believers of their security in God's love and purpose. Each term—predestined, called, justified, glorified—marks a stage in God's work, emphasizing that the process is entirely in God's hands from beginning to end.

The Greek behind Romans 8:30

  • προορίζω (proorizō, "predestinate"): This word means to decide beforehand or to determine in advance. In this context, it highlights that God's plan for these people began before any of their actions.
  • καλέω (kaleō, "called"): This word means to invite or summon. Here, it suggests a personal invitation from God, not just a general announcement.
  • δικαιόω (dikaioō, "justified"): This means to declare righteous or to acquit. Paul uses it to show that God gives a new standing to those He calls.
  • δοξάζω (doxazō, "glorified"): This word means to honor or to give glory. Paul uses the past tense, even though glorification is future for believers, to stress the certainty of God's promise.

Why Romans 8:30 matters

  • Romans 8:30 clarifies that the process of salvation is not random or uncertain; Paul presents it as a sure and connected sequence, giving assurance to believers.
  • The verse emphasizes that each stage—being called, justified, and glorified—is initiated and completed by God, not by human effort.
  • Romans 8:30 connects to the surrounding passage, which focuses on the security and unbreakable nature of God's love and purpose for those who belong to Him.

Where else these words appear

“predestinate” Greek G4309 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
  • Romans 8:29 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.
  • Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

“them” Greek G5128 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Luke 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
  • Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

“he” Greek G1344 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
  • Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

“he” Greek G1392 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  • John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
  • Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.