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This brings the presentation of God’s provision of salvation to the climax. This salvation was planned by God before the foundation of the world (cf. Eph 1:4). He has a specific purpose and design that he will follow through. Therefore, we know and are confident that the ultimate goal of salvation, our final glorification, will be achieved (vv.28-30).
The word predestined (prohorizō) occurs in vv.29-30. This has been misinterpreted to mean that God arbitrarily determined in advance certain individuals to be saved. This, however, is not the meaning of the word. This word occurs six times in the NT: Ac 4:28; Ro 8:29, 30; 1Co 2:7; and Eph 1:5, 11. In all other occurrences, the context indicates clearly that it has to do with the plan, the design, the condition of some event, or salvation. It is also so used here (Murray, 1:318). Those who participate in salvation are those who love God. They are called according to God’s purpose (prothesis, v.28). In the entire NT when purpose (prothesis) is used of God, it has to do with the plan, the design, or the condition of some event, never with certain persons. God’s purpose regarding salvation is that all be saved and none be lost (1Ti 2:4; Tit 2:11; 2Pe 3:9). The call is the invitation addressed by God to all human beings. It is inclusive, not exclusive.
In v.29 the object of predestine is to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. In v.30 the object seems to be certain persons. These persons, however, are those whom God foreknew, not those arbitrarily chosen by God. Foreknowledge does not cause them to have faith, but rather their faith causes God to foreknow. My knowing does not cause you to do something. But your doing causes me to know. In the same way, God’s knowledge does not cause us to do something, but our doing causes God to know. Since, however, God is not bound by time, he can know before we do it.
The central thought of vv.31-39 is this: Since God is for us, who can be against us (v.31)? God has done the harder thing—giving his own Son for us; surely he will do the easier thing—give us all the blessings he has promised. He is the only one who can justify, and he has already justified us; who can bring any charge against us? The judge himself, Christ Jesus, died, was resurrected, and now is interceding for us. Surely no one will condemn us. God loves us so much. Surely nothing can separate us from the love God has for us in Christ.