Romans 8:28 (WEB)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.

Romans 8:27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "all things", "work together", "for good", "love God", "called", "according to his purpose", and "purpose". 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 "He who searches the hearts knows what..." into verse 29's "For whom he foreknew he also predestined...", 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.