Romans 8:29

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

For [that class of] persons whom God knew beforehand He also predetermined to become conformed to the [spiritual] likeness of His Son, so that He could be the firstborn One among [His] many brothers [i.e., so He could be the preeminent example to all His followers. See Heb. 2:11].

Cross References

Matthew 25:40

And the King will answer them and say, ‘Truly I tell you, since you did all this for one of my least [significant] brothers, you did it for me.’

Matthew 28:10

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers [i.e., the disciples, that you have seen me], so they can head for Galilee where they will see me.”

Matthew 7:23

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never acknowledged you [as my people]; go away from me, you people who have done sinful things.’

John 17:16

They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

John 17:19

And for their sakes I dedicate myself [to you] so that they themselves also may be truly dedicated [to you].

John 17:26

And I declared your name to them and I will continue to declare it, so that the love you have for me will be in them [also], and that I [will be] in them.”

John 20:17

Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not ascended to the Father yet [Note: Apparently Jesus was discouraging Mary from embracing Him in worship as was done in Matt. 28:9, and thereby causing a delay of when the rest of the disciples would learn of His resurrection], but go to my brothers and tell them [I said] ‘I am [about] to ascend to my Father and to your Father, and to my God and your God.’”

Romans 11:2

God did not reject His people whom He knew previously. Or, do you not know what the Scriptures say in the passage where Elijah pleads with God against Israel?

Romans 13:14

But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not make any plans for satisfying the strong desires of your flesh [i.e., your appetites for sinful pleasures].

Romans 9:23

[What if He did this] in order to demonstrate His wealth of glory toward people who deserved His mercy, whom He had previously determined should receive [such special] honor?

1 Corinthians 15:49

And just as we [now] appear [in both a physical and spiritual body] like the man who came from dust [i.e., Adam]; we will also [someday] appear [in both a physical (?) and a spiritual body] like the man who came from heaven [i.e., Christ].

1 Corinthians 2:7

But we [apostles] speak God’s secret wisdom, which has been hidden [through the ages], which God predetermined for our honor before time began.

1 Corinthians 8:3

But if anyone loves God, that person is known by God.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But all of us [Christians], with unveiled faces, see the Lord’s splendor reflected, as [though we were] looking in a mirror, and [so] are being transformed into His likeness in ever-increasing splendor. This is [the work] of the Lord, [who is] the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:11

It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we [Jewish Christians] also were selected as [God’s] inheritance [i.e., to receive His never ending blessings], having been predetermined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in harmony with what He wants.

Ephesians 4:24

And you should put on the new person who has been [re-] created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Philippians 3:21

who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself.

Colossians 3:10

and have put on the new person, who is being [daily] renewed with full knowledge, according to the image of God, who [re-] created him.

2 Timothy 1:9

[It is] God who saved us and called us to live holy lives [or, “to be dedicated people”], not as a result of our [good] deeds, but in harmony with His own purpose and unearned favor. [This was] given to us through [the atoning work of] Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time. [Note: Salvation through Christ was planned before time began. See Titus 1:2; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4].

2 Timothy 2:19

However, the solid foundation of God stands firm. [Note: This probably refers to the church. See I Tim. 3:15]. It is sealed with these words [i.e., certifying God’s ownership and a commitment to Him]: “The Lord knows those who are His people,” [See Num. 16:5], and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord should stop practicing wickedness.” [See Isa. 26:13].

1 Peter 1:2

These people have been [specially] selected, and [their acceptance was] pre-planned by God the Father, and they were set apart through [the work of] the Holy Spirit. This resulted in their obedience and sprinkling [Note: This is a figurative reference to the Old Testament practice of cleansing, See Exodus 24:7-8] by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God’s unearned favor and peace be continually upon you.

1 Peter 1:20

For Christ was previously known [by God, even] before the world was created, yet was not fully revealed for your benefit until [these] final times.

1 John 3:2

Dearly loved ones, we are God’s children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like!

Revelation 13:8

And everyone who lives on earth will worship the beast, [even those] people whose names had not been recorded in the book of life belonging to the Lamb, who was killed [i.e., in prospect] from the creation of the world. [Note: This sentence could also read “...not been recorded from the creation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed”].