New
International Dictionary of New Testament Theology:
Rom. 8:29
declares that, “those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to
the image [symmorphous tēs eikonos]
of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” The
passage presupposes that Christ is the image of God. In Christ God is really
present. Again symmorphos means that
we shall not only be similar to or like Christ but that we shall come into the
same realm of power as he. We shall be identified with the same substance as
he, and enter into the same essential nature as Christ. One might even speak in
the same vein as the Hel. mystery religions and speak of a “divinization” or
“Christening” (the objection of J. Behm, TDNT
IV 758, is not fully convincing). Nevertheless, within this relationship Christ
retains separate identity (“the firstborn among many brethren”, cf. also 2 Cor.
3:18). (G. Braumann, “Μορφή,” in New
International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 4 vols. [Grand Rapids, Mich:
Zondervan, 1986], 1:707)
BDAG:
6961 σύμμορφος
• σύμμορφος, ον (s. prec. and next entry; Ps.-Lucian, Amor. 39 al.) pert.
to having a similar form, nature, or style, similar in form τινός as or to someth. (σ. τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ Orig., C.
Cels. 2, 69, 16; B-D-F §182, 1; Rob. 504; 528) σύμμ. τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ like his Son
in form or appearance
Ro 8:29 (JKürzinger, BZ 2, ’58, 294-99). Also w. the dat. (Nicander
[II BC], Ther. 321 ed. OSchneider [1856]; Heraclit. Sto. 77 p. 102, 12 σ. τρισὶ θεοῖς of Agamemnon; B-D-F §194, 2; Rob. 528) σύμμ. τῷ σώματι τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ Phil 3:21.—DELG s.v. μορφή. TW.
