Re-examining the Goal of Salvation: A literary and theological investigation of the phrase ‘συμμόρφους τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτου’ in Romans 8:29b

Abstract

This thesis examines the meaning of the phrase ‘conformed to the image of his Son’ in Romans 8:29b from within the literary and theological context of Romans 1—8. To date, scholarship has offered no focused, full-length exegetical treatment of the phrase. After examining the semantic function of δόξα and δοξάζω in their occurrences throughout the LXX, the thesis addresses the function of the terms as they occur in Romans. It then discusses the Pauline motifs of union and participation with Christ and how these motifs are expressed in terms of believers’ vocational participation in the resurrection life and glory of the Son. An examination is made of those texts in Philippians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, and Colossians where there exists semantic and thematic overlap with Romans 8:29b. In turning to Romans 8:29b itself, the phrase ‘image of his Son’ is addressed, with particular attention paid to the identity of the Son within the context of Romans. Specific attention is also paid to the motif of believers’ vocational participation with the Son in his inheritance and glory in Romans 8:17 and Paul’s reference to believers’ glorification in Romans 8:30. On the basis of these contextual and theological connections, this thesis concludes that ‘conformed to the image of his Son’ refers to believers’ vocational participation with the Son in his rule over creation, as God’s adopted children and renewed humanity. This rule is the fulfilment of Adam’s created function to have dominion over creation as God’s vicegerent, as is narrated in Genesis 1:26-28 and picked up in Psalm 8:5-8. Moreover, it is argued that this participation occurs in the form of glorification—reception of an honourable or exalted status associated with power, rule, or authority—both in the present and the future.