Romans 8:28 is one of the most well-known and comforting verses in the Bible. It says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” This verse assures believers that God can use all circumstances, even difficult ones, for an ultimate good purpose in their lives.
To understand this verse fully, it’s important to look at the context. Romans 8 discusses the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit in the life of a Christian. Though believers struggle with sin, they are no longer condemned, but have been freed from sin and death through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1-4). The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers Christians to live righteously (Romans 8:5-11). Believers are called to live not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:12-14). When Christians set their minds on the things of the Spirit, it brings eternal life and peace (Romans 8:5-6).
Paul then explains that while Christians will suffer in this life as they wait for the redemption of their bodies, their present sufferings are not worth comparing to the future glory that will be revealed in them (Romans 8:18-25). It’s in this context of suffering that Paul writes Romans 8:28, reminding believers that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.
What are some key points from Romans 8:28?
- This promise of all things working for good is only for “those who love God.” Those who have put their faith in Christ demonstrate their love for God. To experience this promise, we must be in a loving relationship with God through Jesus (John 14:21-24).
- This promise is also only for “those who are called according to his purpose.” God has a purpose for each Christian, and that is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). As believers yield to this process, God uses circumstances to shape their character to reflect Christ more fully.
- The promise is that “all things work together for good.” Notice it’s all things – not just some things. This means not only good things, but also bad things are used by God. Circumstances that seem bad, such as trials, griefs, temptations can still be used by God for good purposes.
- The word “work” indicates that things do not happen by chance, but God actively uses all circumstances to accomplish His good purposes.
- This promise does not mean all things will be good, but that all things “work together” for good. The good may come later, not right away. The ultimate good is conformity to Christ (Romans 8:29).
- This promise is a matter of faith, not sight. It may not look like things are working for good in the moment. But as believers trust God and submit to His work in their lives, the good purposes unfold over time.
How does God work all things for good?
God is sovereign and infinitely wise, so He has the power and knowledge to use any circumstance believers face for the good of conforming them to the image of Christ and fulfilling His purposes in their lives. Here are some ways God can work things for good:
- Molding character – God uses trials to develop godly virtues such as patience, endurance, humility, compassion. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4).
- Drawing us to Christ – Difficulties show us our need for God. In grief or pain, believers turn to Christ for comfort, strength, and help. “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).
- Teaching obedience – As believers yield to God’s work in trials, they learn greater obedience. “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
- Producing fruit – God prunes believers through trials so they bear more spiritual fruit. “every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2).
- Causing growth – Difficulties are used by God to mature believers. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-3).
- Refining faith – God uses trials to strengthen and refine the faith of believers. “so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
- Changing perspective – God uses hardships to adjust believers’ earthly perspectives and improve their eternal focus. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
- Bringing spiritual growth – Through difficulties believers can grow spiritually in ways that may not have been possible otherwise. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10).
- Deepening intimacy with God – Difficult times draw us closer to God as we cling to Him for help. “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).
- Increasing ministry effectiveness – God allows trials to better equip believers for ministry to others. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
God may also work circumstances for good in ways believers can’t foresee. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Even when believers can’t understand how, they can trust God’s wisdom and sovereignty to use all things for good.
What are some examples of how God can work bad circumstances for good?
- Persecution of the early church – which led to the spreading of the gospel throughout the world (Acts 8:1-4)
- A deadly virus – which draws people to reflect on mortality and eternity
- Natural disasters – which give opportunity to show Christ’s love through service to those in need
- Death of a loved one – which results in comforting others with the comfort received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- A disability – which teaches complete dependence on God rather than self
- Loss of a job – which leads to a career better suited to an individual’s gifts and priorities
- An accident – which prevents something worse from happening
- Imprisonment – which gives unique opportunity to share the gospel (Philippians 1:12-14)
God specializes in bringing good out of bad circumstances, often in unexpected ways. Believers may not understand how at the time, but can trust in God’s wise, loving purposes.
What are some wrong ways people interpret Romans 8:28?
While this verse offers great comfort, some mistakenly use it to minimize the pain and tragedy of hard events, thinking Romans 8:28 means:
- All things will be good – But the verse doesn’t promise everything will be good, but will “work together for good.”
- Good things will immediately follow bad things – But the good purpose may come much later.
- There’s always a good purpose for evil events – Some evil has no conceivable good purpose, such as genocide, abuse, racism. We can trust God ultimately for justice.
- Good excuses all evil – While God can use evil for good, He never condones evil (Romans 3:8).
- Believers will see the good in their lifetime – God’s greater purposes may only be known in eternity.
- No need for heartache – Believers still feel grief, pain, lament. But they grieve with hope.
- Passively wait for good – Believers should actively participate in God’s work in trials.
Romans 8:28 doesn’t minimize suffering or imply all things will be good. But it gives hope that in His wisdom, God ultimately works even painful trials for our eternal good purposes.
How should Christians respond to Romans 8:28?
Believers can respond to this powerful promise in the following ways:
- Worship God for His sovereignty, wisdom, love and ability to work all things for our eternal good.
- Trust God and His good purposes even when circumstances are painful and unclear. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
- Persevere in hope through trials, knowing God will use them for good. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
- Draw near to God during difficult times for comfort, strength and help in the trial. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
- Obey God’s Word diligently so trials will produce spiritual fruit. “if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile” (1 Peter 1:17).
- Wait patiently on God’s timing and purpose to be revealed, no matter how long it takes. “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:26).
- Praise God as the ultimate good purpose unfolds, even if only partially understood. “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High” (Psalm 7:17).
This powerful promise sustains believers through suffering and enables them to persevere with joyful hope. God uses even painful trials for the glorious purpose of making them more like Christ.
