Romans 8 28

Romans 8:28 kjv

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 nkjv

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 niv

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 esv

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 nlt

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8 verses

Romans 8 28 Meaning

Romans 8:28 affirms a profound truth: for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, God actively orchestrates all circumstances, whether good, bad, or indifferent, to ultimately work together for their highest good. This "good" is primarily their spiritual growth and conformity to the image of Christ, rather than merely temporal comfort or ease. It highlights God's sovereignty, faithful providence, and unfailing love in the lives of His elect.

Romans 8 28 Context

Romans chapter 8 is a powerful discourse on the assurance and victory of the Christian life in the Holy Spirit, building upon the themes of justification by faith in earlier chapters. Following the struggles described in Romans 7, chapter 8 celebrates liberation from sin and death through Christ, life in the Spirit, adoption as children of God, and the certainty of future glory. Romans 8:28 stands as a pivotal promise within this chapter, particularly within a passage (vv. 18-30) that addresses the present sufferings of believers in light of their future hope and God's ultimate plan. This verse serves as a beacon of hope and assurance that despite groaning with creation (v. 22) and in anticipation of redemption (v. 23), believers are not abandoned. Instead, God actively works amidst these very difficulties, demonstrating His unchanging purpose and love for His chosen people, leading them towards conformity with Christ's image (v. 29). The verse directly precedes the "golden chain" of salvation (vv. 29-30), which details the sovereign progression of God's work from foreknowledge to glorification.

Historically, the Roman church faced external pressures of persecution and internal struggles concerning Jewish and Gentile identity. Paul's message provided profound comfort and stability, reminding them that even amidst suffering, a powerful and loving God was at work, meticulously weaving every thread of their lives into a masterpiece that served His divine purpose for their ultimate good. It implicitly challenged pagan beliefs in arbitrary fate or capricious deities, affirming a personal, provident God who orchestrates events with intention and love.

Romans 8 28 Word analysis

• And we know: (καὶ οἴδαμεν - kai oidamen) - The phrase conveys a settled, confident, and experiential knowledge, not a mere hope or speculation. It is a shared understanding among believers. This contrasts with speculative philosophical knowledge of the time; it's a revealed and internal certainty.
• that: (ὅτι - hoti) - Connects the confident knowledge to the truth that follows.
• in all things: (πάντα - panta) - This is a comprehensive term, encompassing every circumstance, event, joy, sorrow, success, failure, illness, and even suffering. It leaves no room for exceptions in the lives of those for whom the promise is true.
• God works: (ὁ θεὸς συνεργεῖ - ho theos synergei) - This is a crucial interpretive point. While some ancient manuscripts (and thus translations like KJV/NIV) have "all things work together," the majority of modern critical texts, supported by stronger manuscript evidence, grammatical analysis, and the context of Romans 8, confirm God as the subject. "Synergei" means to "work with" or "cooperate." Here, God is the active agent who orchestrates or causes all things to cooperate or work for the good. It is God's active, divine superintendence and not an impersonal fate or a mere aggregation of events.
• for the good: (εἰς ἀγαθόν - eis agathon) - Not just any good, but ultimate, eternal good. This "good" is not necessarily immediate happiness or material prosperity, but alignment with God's purpose, spiritual maturity, character development, and most importantly, conformity to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). It implies a teleological (goal-oriented) design.
• of those who love him: (τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτόν - tous agapōntas auton) - This phrase identifies the specific recipients of this promise. "Love" (ἀγαπάω - agapaō) here is an active, ongoing love that is responsive to God's initiative. It signifies a genuine relationship, characterized by obedience and devotion, not merely sentiment.
• who have been called: (κλητοῖς οὖσιν - klētois ousin) - Emphasizes divine initiative and election. The "calling" is an effectual call by God's Spirit, leading to conversion, not merely an invitation. It confirms the identity of "those who love Him" as those chosen by God. This links directly to God's sovereign plan.
• according to his purpose: (κατὰ πρόθεσιν - kata prothesin) - This reinforces God's divine sovereignty and predetermined plan. His purpose (prothesis) is eternal, deliberate, and unchanging. It signifies that the entire process, including the calling and the working of all things for good, is not accidental but part of God's perfect design for His people, stretching from eternity past to eternity future (cf. Rom 8:29-30; Eph 1:11).

Word-groups analysis

• And we know that in all things God works for the good: This entire phrase encapsulates the core theological assurance. It posits a divinely guaranteed outcome amidst life's complexities, emphasizing God's benevolent and active sovereignty over everything in the lives of His children.
• those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose: This double qualifier precisely defines the beneficiaries of the promise. It underscores that this promise is for genuine believers—those whose hearts are turned toward God in love and whose lives reflect God's effectual calling and predestination. This excludes a general application to all humanity, or to those who merely claim faith without genuine love or transformation.

Romans 8 28 Bonus section

It's important to understand what Romans 8:28 does not mean. It is not an affirmation that evil or sin are "good" in themselves, nor does it excuse our responsibility for sinful choices. Rather, it means that even when we make poor choices or endure hardship due to others' sins or life's fallenness, God possesses the infinite capacity and intention to redeem and repurpose these situations for His glory and our sanctification. It should never be used flippantly to dismiss someone's suffering or grief, but rather offers a profound theological comfort and hope that sustains believers through their darkest times, rooted in the immutable character and sovereign will of God. This promise hinges on God's foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and eventual glorification, painting a holistic picture of His unbreakable commitment to His elect.

Romans 8 28 Commentary

Romans 8:28 is a cornerstone of Christian assurance and providential theology. It assures believers that God, in His infinite wisdom and power, sovereignly orchestrates all experiences, good and bad, into His overarching plan for their ultimate spiritual benefit. This "good" is intrinsically linked to conformity to the image of Christ, as revealed in the subsequent verse (Rom 8:29), reflecting a higher, eternal purpose rather than immediate comfort or worldly success. The promise is specifically for genuine believers—those marked by an active love for God, which is itself a response to His sovereign and effectual call. It is a powerful antidote to despair in suffering, reinforcing faith in God's faithfulness and good intention, ensuring that nothing that touches the life of a called-out child of God is random or purposeless. This verse teaches us not that bad things cease to be bad, but that God can transform their impact, using them as instruments in His refining work. For example, a severe illness, though devastating in itself, might draw one closer to God, teach reliance on Him, or open doors for ministry. A job loss might lead to an unexpected career path that serves God's kingdom more effectively. Even tragic failures can, through God's grace, become lessons that lead to humility, repentance, and a deeper walk with Him.