Foreknowledge

Timothy Keller:

Of course God in his omniscience knows the future, and sees everyone who has ever lived and will ever live; but that is not what Paul is referring to here (otherwise, since those he “foreknew” he also “justified” and “glorified,” this would be teaching that everyone will be saved). In the Bible, when we are told God “knows” someone, it means he has set his love on him in a personal way. For instance, when Jesus says to some: “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23), he doesn’t mean he won't know about them, but that he will have no relationship with them. Therefore “foreknew” means “forelove.” A survey of the other places where “foreknew” or “foreknowledge” is used (Acts 2:23; Romans 11:2; 1 Peter 1:2) shows this. Thus, God set his love on us back before the beginning of time.

(Timothy Keller, Romans 8-16 For You, [The Good Book Company, 2015; reprinted 2019], pp. 50-51.)

καὶ αὐτός ἐστιν πρὸ πάντων καὶ τὰ πάντα ἐν αὐτῷ συνέστηκεν ~ Soli Deo Gloria