{Foreknew} (proegn(935c)). Second aorist active indicative of
progin(9373)k(935c), old verb as in Ac 26:5 . See Ps 1:6 (LXX) and
Mt 7:23 . This fore-knowledge and choice is placed in eternity
in Eph 1:4 . {He foreordained} (pro(9372)isen). First aorist
active indicative of prooriz(935c), late verb to appoint beforehand
as in Ac 4:28 1Co 2:7 . Another compound with pro- (for
eternity). {Conformed to the image} (summorphous t(8873) eikonos).
Late adjective from sun and morph(885c) and so an inward and not
merely superficial conformity. Eik(936e) is used of Christ as the
very image of the Father ( 2Co 4:4 Col 1:15 ). See Php 2:6f.
for morph(885c). Here we have both morph(885c) and eik(936e) to express
the gradual change in us till we acquire the likeness of Christ
the Son of God so that we ourselves shall ultimately have the
family likeness of sons of God. Glorious destiny. {That he might
be} (eis to einai auton). Common idiom for purpose. {First born
among many brethren} (pr(9374)otokon en pollois adelphois). Christ
is "first born" of all creation ( Col 1:15 ), but here he is
"first born from the dead" ( Col 1:18 ), the Eldest Brother in
this family of God's sons, though "Son" in a sense not true of
us.
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