But we *do* know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose. Because whom he has foreknown, he has also predestinated [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be [the] firstborn among many brethren. But whom he has predestinated, these also he has called; and whom he has called, these also he has justified; but whom he has justified, these also he has glorified.
Romans 8:26 And in like manner the Spirit joins also its help to our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as is fitting, but the Spirit itself makes intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:27 But he who searches the hearts knows what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for saints according to God.
Romans 8:28 But we *do* know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose.
Romans 8:29 Because whom he has foreknown, he has also predestinated [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be [the] firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:30 But whom he has predestinated, these also he has called; and whom he has called, these also he has justified; but whom he has justified, these also he has glorified.
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who against us?
Romans 8:32 He who, yea, has not spared his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him grant us all things?
The verse centers on "all things", "work together", "for good", "love God", "called", "purpose", "foreknow", and "predestinate". 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 "But he who searches the hearts knows..." into verse 31's "What shall we then say to these...", 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.