Romans 8:28 (ASV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Romans 8:26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered;

Romans 8:27 and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

Romans 8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose.

Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

Romans 8:30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "all things", "work together", "for good", "love God", "called", "according to his purpose", "purpose", and "even". It is saying that God is not described as making every event good in itself; the words tie "all things" to a purposeful working "for good" for those who love him and are called.

The nearby context moves from verse 27's "and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth..." into verse 29's "For whom he foreknew he also foreordained...", so "all things" and "work together" belong inside that flow. In The Spirit's Help and God's Purpose, the local focus is life in the Spirit, intercession, God's providence, and conformity to Christ.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "all things" and "work together" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.