Paul climbs to the heights in his teaching to give some great statements to encourage believers (v28-31). Paul’s conviction is that God is working in all things to fulfil His perfect plans for the good of those who love Jesus (v28).  If you are a Christian, rejoice for this is true for you!

In verses 29-30 Paul outlines God’s plan for His people. Five things are mentioned here that God does which have been called ‘the golden chain’.

1. ‘whom He foreknew’ – this means that God in eternity chose certain people to set his love upon and to save. ‘To know’ means to love.
2. ‘He predestined’ – God designed for those chosen to become like Jesus.
3. ‘He also called’ – this speaks of the inward call of the Spirit which makes people born again and brings them to Christ.
4. ‘He also justified’ – through being brought to faith in the death of Jesus they are declared as righteous in God’s sight.
5. ‘He also glorified’ – this speaks of being perfected and wonderfully changed in heaven. Paul speaks of this in the past tense, showing it is as good as being already achieved. This is why we can say with confidence, ‘if God is for us, who can be against us?’ (v31)