Romans 8:30 – The golden chain (2)

Now whom He designates beforehand, these He calls also, and whom He calls, these He justifies also; now whom He justifies, these He glorifies also.

Whom GOD designates beforehand, He also calls. And whom He calls, He also justifies. The golden links in this chain are unbreakable because it is all GOD’S work. It is out of the question that GOD would call anyone but would not justify.

The means by which GOD justifies is faith (3:30). For He counts faith as righteousness (4:3). in other words the one who believes GOD (= says amen to his promise) is a righteous one before Him. Of course, GOD Himself is the one who opens hearts, convinces and gives faith. Yet in this verse the issue is not how GOD justifies. Here it is only about the fact that it is GOD who justifies. And that He justifies those whom He calls.

The last link in this chain is glorification. The first link (predestination) refers to the past. The last link is future music. The common rendering (“He has glorified”) is therefore incorrect. Paul uses a timeless verb form. At present  there is still suffering, but the glorification is guaranteed to follow (8:17,21). That is when we will be revealed to creation as sons of God (8:19)!

Delen: