We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. 34 Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul assures believers that everything that happened in their lives, whether good or bad, works for the ultimate “good” for those who love God. This “good” primarily refers to spiritual growth that conforms believers to the image of Christ, reflecting God’s purpose for their lives. Believers are encouraged to trust in divine providence, knowing that God is actively involved in their circumstances for their benefit. Those whom God predestined according to His divine plan are called to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Christ holds a preeminent and unique status as the Son of God, and believers share in the inheritance and glory that come from their familial relationship with Him.
In biblical terms, "foreknowledge" suggests an intimate relationship and recognition of individuals by God before time began. This is reflected in the book of Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you (Jer. 1:5), underscoring God’s foreknowledge and the special calling that God places on each person. Predestination refers to God's eternal plan to choose certain individuals for salvation which suggests that God, in His sovereignty, determines the destiny of believers even before they exist. While God predestines individuals according to His divine plan, He honors their freedom to respond to that plan so predestination does not negate free will.
The chain of salvation—predestination, calling, justification, and glorification—highlights God’s active role in the process of salvation. "Called" refers to the divine invitation to faith, while "justified" signifies being declared righteous through faith in Christ. "Glorified" speaks to the future hope of eternal life and complete transformation. If God is actively on the side of believers, no opposition can ultimately prevail against them. God, having given His most precious gift—His Son—will surely provide everything else necessary for salvation. Paul emphasizes that no one can successfully accuse those whom God has chosen and justified, for God is the ultimate judge whose verdict cannot be overturned. Christ’s death and resurrection are central to salvation, and He now sits at the right hand of God with all authority and power to intercede for us.
Paul assures believers that nothing can sever their connection to the love of Christ. He lists various trials—such as death, life, angels, or any other power—to emphasize that none can separate them from God's love. This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's providence, knowing that their circumstances, whether good or bad, serve a greater purpose within His divine plan.
The victory that believers have through Christ’s death and resurrection is complete and transformative, enabling them to overcome all challenges. Paul emphasizes that God's love is invincible and all-encompassing, affirming that those whom God has justified are secure in their relationship with Him. Consequently, believers can live confidently in their faith, knowing they are embraced by God's unwavering love.
Almighty God, You assure us that all things work for the good of those who love You. Help us trust in Your divine plan and embrace our identity as Your beloved children. May we find comfort in the knowledge that nothing can separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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