Romans 8:30 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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.

Moreover - rather, 'And' or 'Now;' for the same train of thought is still in course of development,

Whom he did predestinate, them he also called - q.d., 'In "predestinating us to be conformed to the image of His Son," He settled all the successive steps of it; the "predestination" of them from everlasting being followed up by the "calling" of them in time. The word "called" (as Hodge and others truly observe) is never in the Epistles of the New Testament applied to those who have only the outward invitation of the Gospel (as in Matthew 20:16; Matthew 22:14). It always means 'internally, effectually, savingly called;' denoting the first great step in personal salvation, and answering to "conversion." Only, whereas the word conversion expresses the change of character which then takes place, this 'calling' expresses the divine authorship of the change, and the sovereign power by which we are summoned-Matthew-like, Zaccheus-like-out of our old, wretched, perishing condition, into a new, safe, blessed life.

And whom he (thus) called, them he also justified - brought into the definite state of reconciliation, acceptance, and righteous standing already so fully described;

And whom he justified, them he also glorified - brought to final glory (see Romans 8:17-18). Noble climax, and how rhythmically expressed! And all this is viewed as past; because, starting from the past decree of "predestination to be conformed to the image of God's Son," of which the other steps are but the successive unfoldings, all is beheld as one entire, eternally completed salvation.

Romans 8:30

30 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.