ROM 8:29 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be a similar form to the image of his Son so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

UST This is because those whom God chose in advance, he also decided in advance to make resemble his Son Jesus. God did these things in order for his Son Jesus to have first place among many spiritual siblings.

BLB because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be firstborn among many brothers.

AICNT For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers;

OEB For those whom God chose from the first he also destined from the first to be transformed into likeness to his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest among many brothers and sisters.

WEBBE For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn amongst many brothers.[fn]

8:29 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

WMBB (Same as above including footnotes)

NET because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

LSV because whom He foreknew, He also foreordained, conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be firstborn among many brothers;

FBV For God, choosing them in advance, set them apart to be like his Son, so that the Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters.

TCNT Because those whom he foreknew he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

T4T God knew previously that we would believe in him (OR, would be saved). We are those who God also decided previously would develop a character like his Son’s character. The result of that is that Christ is like a firstborn/highest-ranking son, and those/we who are God’s children [MET] are like [MET] many younger brothers of Jesus.

LEB because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brothers.

BBE 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:

Moff For he decreed of old that those whom he predestined should share the likeness of his Son — that he might be the firstborn of a great brotherhood.

Wymth For those whom He has known beforehand He has also pre-destined to bear the likeness of His Son, that He might be the Eldest in a vast family of brothers;

ASV 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:

DRA 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.

YLT 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;

Drby 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.

RV 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:
(For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren/brothers: )

SLT For whom he before knew, he also before determined of the form of the image of his Son, for him to be first born in many brethren.

Wbstr For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.

KJB-1769 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.
(For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren/brothers. )

KJB-1611 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his sonne, that hee might bee the first borne amongst many brethren.
(For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the first-born amongst many brethren/brothers.)

Bshps For those which he knewe before, he also dyd predestinate, that they shoulde be lyke fashioned vnto the shape of his sonne, that he myght be ye first begotten among many brethren.
(For those which he knew before, he also did predestinate, that they should be like fashioned unto the shape of his son, that he might be ye/you_all first begotten among many brethren/brothers.)

Gnva For those which hee knewe before, he also predestinate to bee made like to the image of his Sonne, that hee might be the first borne among many brethren.
(For those which he knew before, he also predestinate to be made like to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren/brothers. )

Cvdl For those whom he knewe before, hath he ordeyned also before, yt they shulde be like fashioned vnto ye shappe of his sonne, yt he mighte be the first begotte amoge many brethre.
(For those whom he knew before, hath/has he ordained also before, it they should be like fashioned unto ye/you_all shape of his son, it he might be the first begotten among many brethre.)

TNT For those which he knewe before he also ordeyned before that they shuld be lyke fassioned vnto the shape of his sonne that he myght be the fyrst begotten sonne amonge many brethren.
(For those which he knew before he also ordained before that they should be like fassioned unto the shape of his son that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren/brothers. )

Wycl For thilke that he knewe bifor, he bifor ordenede bi grace to be maad lijk to the ymage of his sone, that he be the first bigetun among many britheren.
(For that that he knew before, he before ordainede by grace to be made like to the image of his son, that he be the first begotten among many brethren/brothers.)

Luth Denn welche er zuvor versehen hat, die hat er auch verordnet, daß sie gleich sein sollten dem Ebenbilde seines Sohns, auf daß derselbige der Erstgeborne sei unter vielen Brüdern.
(Because which he before provided has, the has he also prescribed, that they/she/them even be should to_him Ebenbilde his son, on/in/to that the_same the/of_the Erstgeborne be under many brothers.)

ClVg Nam quos præscivit, et prædestinavit conformes fieri imaginis Filii sui, ut sit ipse primogenitus in multis fratribus.[fn]
(For/Surely which beforescivit, and beforedestinavit conformes to_be_done imaginis Children self, as be exactly_that/himself firstborn in/into/on many brothers. )

8.29 Nam quos, Deus, prædestinavit, id est, per appositam gratiam præparavit ut verbo prædicationis crederent: illos præscivit, id est longe ante prænovit, fieri conformes Filii, qui est imago Patris, usquequaque eadem cum Patre. Unde dicitur: Qui videt me, videt et Patrem Joan. 14.. Imaginis. Ut portemus imaginem cœlestis, sicut portavimus imaginem terreni. Vel primogenitus. Quia ante omnem creaturam non factus sed natus est, et quia primus sine peccato natus, et primus impassibilis resurgens, in quo habet fratres.

8.29 For/Surely which, God, beforedestinavit, that it_is, through appositam grace prepared as word preaching to_believent: those beforescivit, that it_is far_away before beforenovit, to_be_done conformes Children, who/which it_is imago Father's, usquequaque the_same when/with Father. From_where/who it_is_said: Who he_sees me, he_sees and Father Yohan 14.. Imaginis. As portemus image heavenly, like gate/doorvimus image earthly. Or firstborn. Because before all creature not/no became but born it_is, and because primus without sin born, and primus impassibilis resurgens, in/into/on where has brothers.

UGNT ὅτι οὓς προέγνω, καὶ προώρισεν συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς.
(hoti hous proegnō, kai proōrisen summorfous taʸs eikonos tou Huiou autou, eis to einai auton prōtotokon en pollois adelfois.)

SBL-GNT ὅτι οὓς προέγνω, καὶ προώρισεν συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς·
(hoti hous proegnō, kai proōrisen summorfous taʸs eikonos tou huiou autou, eis to einai auton prōtotokon en pollois adelfois;)

RP-GNT Ὅτι οὓς προέγνω, καὶ προώρισεν συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς·
(Hoti hous proegnō, kai proōrisen summorfous taʸs eikonos tou huiou autou, eis to einai auton prōtotokon en pollois adelfois;)

TC-GNT Ὅτι οὓς προέγνω, καὶ προώρισε συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς·
(Hoti hous proegnō, kai proōrise summorfous taʸs eikonos tou huiou autou, eis to einai auton prōtotokon en pollois adelfois; )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 8:18–30: God promises to us help today and glory later

In this section Paul said that the things that cause us suffering are only small compared to the glory that God will give us in the future, renewed world. The created world waits for God to reveal us, his adopted children, in our new bodies, because he will also renew the created world at that time. We and the created world groan waiting for that renewal. Paul then described what hope is.

The Holy Spirit helps us where we are weak. He also helps us to pray and intercedes for us. God causes all things to work for our good. He chose us to become like Jesus in word and deed, and become like him like a brother is like his brother. He chose us before the creation of the world, called us, made us righteous, and has glorified us.

Here are other possible headings for this section:

We wait for God to give glory to us

Later we will be together with God in his glory

The Holy Spirit helps us today and God will glorify us in the future

8:29a

For those God foreknew,

For the people whom he knew before they existed
For God knew his people ahead of time, and

For: The Greek is more literally “because.” It introduces a reason or explanation for what was said in 8:28. But the BSB starts a new sentence here, so “because” would not have the correct meaning in English.The word “because,” when it starts a sentence in English, indicates that the result clause comes after the reason clause, not before it. So it and many English versions use For here.

those God foreknew: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as foreknew:

It means know before a certain time here. God knew us before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The word implies a complete knowledge rather than just knowing about someone. For example:
knew his people in advance (NLT) (BSB, RSV, NIV, NASB, KJV, NLT, GW, ESV, NABRE, NET, REB, CEV)
It means choose before a certain time here. For example:
Those whom God had already chosen (GNT) (GNT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many scholars follow it as well.For example, Moo, Longenecker, Cranfield, Dunn, Schreiner, and Jewett. Here are other ways to translate this clause according to interpretation (1):

those whom God knew before ever they were (REB)

God knew them before he made the world (NCV)

8:29b

He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,

he also planned at that time that they would be like his Son,
he also planned then that he would cause them to be like his Son.

predestined: This word means “determine ahead of time.” Before the creation of the world God made a plan that his people would become like his Son. Here are other ways to translate this word:

determined beforehand

appointed (GW)

to be conformed: The Greek word here refers to being similar in form or nature.BDAG (page 958) and Louw and Nida (on TW). We do not start this life being similar to Jesus, so here this word implies that God changes us so that we are like his Son. Therefore the BSB and many English versions use the word conformed. Here are other ways to translate this Greek word:

to be like (NCV)

to share (REB)

the image of His Son: Here the word image indicates that God will make us like Jesus in many ways. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the likeness of his Son (NIV)

become like his Son (GNT)

His Son: See how you translated this phrase at 1:3.

8:29c

so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

so that he will be the firstborn/eldest of his many brothers and sisters.
This will result in his Son becoming the oldest/eldest brother to many younger siblings in God’s family.

He would be: Here the Greek word is literally “to be.” Here it indicates that being the firstborn among many brothers will happen in the future, because God has not yet given glorified bodies to believers. For example:

the Son would be (GNT)

the firstborn among many brothers: This phrase indicates that Jesus is like his brothers, that is, all believers, but that he is special, like a firstborn Jew was special. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the eldest among a large family of brothers (REB)

the praiseworthy oldest-sibling of all of us who are siblinged-together who have been adopted by GodTagbanwa Back Translation on TW.

firstborn: In Hebrew and Greek culture (and probably other cultures of that time and area), the firstborn was given special privileges. In some languages groups people treat the firstborn like all the other siblings. If that is true in your language, you may want to indicate that the firstborn is special. For example:

special/leader firstborn

the one who is prominent before all those believers who are brothers with himOtomi Back Translation on TW.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οὓς προέγνω

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι οὕς προέγνω καί προώρισεν συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τό εἶναι αὐτόν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς)

Here, foreknew could mean: (1) God had determined to know them ahead of time, which is how this word is used in [1 Peter 1:20](../1pe/01/20.md). Alternate translation: [whom he chose beforehand] (2) God knew what they would do ahead of time. Alternate translation: [whom he knew beforehand,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ

similar ˱to˲_the image ˱of˲_the Son ˱of˲_him

Here, image refers to how Christians will one day resemble Jesus. If it might be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. See how you translated image in [1:23](../01/23.md). Alternate translation: [to be a similar form that is like his Son]

Note 3 topic: guidelines-sonofgodprinciples

τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ

˱of˲_the Son ˱of˲_him

Son is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God.

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν

in_order (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι οὕς προέγνω καί προώρισεν συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ Υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τό εἶναι αὐτόν πρωτότοκον ἐν πολλοῖς ἀδελφοῖς)

Here, so that introduces a purpose clause. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [for the purpose that he might be]

Note 5 topic: writing-pronouns

αὐτὸν

The pronoun he refers to God’s Son, Jesus. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [the Son]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸ & πρωτότοκον

Here, firstborn could mean: (1) the most important person among God’s children. Alternate translation: [the person ranked first] (2) the first person to be resurrected. Alternate translation: [the first person to be resurrected]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἀδελφοῖς

brothers

Although the term brothers is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: [brothers and sisters]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor