What Does Romans 8:28 Mean?
Romans 8:28 is a popular verse that's been quoted to inspire hope for happiness or relief from mourning. However, when we review the context of the verse, we see that God is working among our brokenness, but there might be more to that redemption.
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18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[a] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[b] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What Romans 8:28 Does & Doesn’t Say
“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
To start, let me share what Romans 8:28 does not tell us:
Some people think Romans 8:28 teaches a Pollyanna outlook on life, that everything will turn out for our happiness in this life.
Some people misuse Romans 8:28, as they insensitively recite it to persons during brokenness and grief, trying to help comfort. The most important thing we can offer them is our presence, prayers, support, and practical matters. This is not a verse to throw at someone in the throes of grief.
Romans 8:28 does not tell us that God causes people to suffer; it doesn't say that God considers suffering in and of itself good.
What it does say, however, is that God works all things together for the good of those who love him and are who are called according to his purposes. This entire passage in Romans helps us understand how suffering can be redemptive for a Christian because of God’s availability in the suffering.
When reading this verse, it's essential to understand the context because the author, Paul, opened this section by declaring that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that’s coming.
In verses 19-23, we also know the mind-boggling truths that even creation longs for the day Christ returns to redeem all things.
Verse 26 also tells us, as part of the context, that God’s Spirit intercedes for us. The word “intercede” means to close the gap between heaven and earth. It’s what we pray when we pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:10). So, as believers, God’s Spirit is helping us in our weakness.
These verses describe how God is at work, even amid our brokenness and suffering. This entire passage in Romans helps us understand how suffering can be redemptive for the Christian.
What is the Context of Romans 8:28?
1) Romans 8:28 is a Deep Call to Reorientation
Many people quote this verse, not realizing how disoriented they are when they quote it. I recognize that sounds harsh, so let me explain.
Scripture tells us that “God is using all things.” We learned in Psalm 23 that our circumstances are our classroom. God is not a compartment of your life. Instead, He is working in every circumstance because He is all-encompassing.
There is a sense that we can define the secular and the sacred because God has created all things; therefore, all things are sacred. The purpose of Romans 8:28, however, is to exhort believers to reorient themselves and change their perspective regarding their circumstances (i.e., the classroom).
As we dive in, let’s ask a few questions.
Would it hurt me, as a believer, if I misunderstood this verse?
Would it do harm if I misunderstood this verse?
What if God wants me to understand how He works to bless and develop me in my circumstances?
What if God wants me to understand how He works so He can bless and develop me as a husband, father, wife, or in my singleness?
What if God wants me to understand how He works so He can bless and develop me for things that I may not yet understand but are part of a future that He knows and understands?
2) Romans 8:28 is a Conditional Promise
Romans 8:28 is not for everyone.
This verse controls limits and even states that it’s limited to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
That brings another question: How do you know if you love God?
According to Jesus, the purpose of our lives as believers is to love the Lord God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. From that purpose flows a mission statement of making disciples of all peoples. So, that’s our Supreme Purpose.
But the Scriptures also describe some symptoms if that’s not true for us. Symptom: What God says through His Word and your responsiveness matters to you. So, let’s expand upon that.
“But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5
If you are married, and you avoid your spouse for a week and fail to listen when they speak, how would you think they would respond if you asked how they felt? That question is a reflection of the image of God in us. There is a correlation between obedience and your love for God.
JESUS: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
Jesus didn’t just say this once; He said it three times in the same chapter.
JESUS: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15
JESUS: "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14:23
For some of us, reading that, we may think, “That sounds so legalistic.” However, legalism is when we add something to what Jesus or the Scriptures say and force people to abide by it.
Romans 8:28 is trying to help the Church grow in the Lord, but the symptom of loving God is you can’t understand what love is apart from listening and being responsive to Him. We can’t be called according to His purpose unless we align our lives with His purpose.
3) Romans 8:28 is a Comprehensive Promise
"All things" should be taken to mean every circumstance one might experience, even in pain or suffering. The word "good" does not necessarily mean happy or painless, financially successful, or our idea of the best possible outcome on any given day.
“For our good” doesn’t necessarily mean “for our pleasure” or “for our comfort and security.” We have to take into context what Paul was describing before this verse. In verses 18-27, he referenced persecution, pain, and suffering. Yet, despite all that Christians might face in this life, Paul is making it clear that God’s promise is all things will work for our good.
A promise is only as good as the person who is making it.
I think about all of the human trafficking victims that I’ve worked alongside. Being trafficked wasn’t good, but God made it good. I think about the cancer victim who wanted the Gospel shared at her funeral. Her cancer wasn’t good, but God used it for good. God used tragedy for His story of triumph, and from the ashes, there was beauty.
God can make our suffering work for our ultimate good and the ultimate good of others.
He also uses suffering redemptively to develop us. James 1:2-4 tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Now, let’s call attention to some specifics of Romans 8:28.
“And we know that all things work together for good.” (emphasis added)
That’s an invitation for the believer to move into that kind of trust. This is an invitation to engage in reorientation of our circumstances.
As believers, we know that God is working well through problems related to relationships, marriage, finances, physical and mental health, work, school, and persecution. Without God, there is an asphyxiating nature to our sufferings, but with God, there is always hope in suffering.
Knowing brings comfort and peace, but not knowing—living in the unknown—makes it all too easy for doubt, fear, and worry to creep in. Therefore, it is worth noting that the Scriptures don’t say, “We think” or “We hope.” However, the Scriptures declare: “We know!”
Hope is ultimately what Romans 8:28 is all about.
4) Romans 8:28 is an Eternal Perspective, Not Just a Temporal Perspective
God is up to something! And ultimately, what God is up to is from an eternal perspective. Christ ushered humanity to heaven by God developing us to be more like the person of Jesus. We see that in the very next verse.
“For those whom He foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29
The good He’s working in your life is to develop you to be more like the Son. The late Tim Keller said, “Christ did not suffer, so you would not suffer. He suffered, so when you suffer, you will become like Him.”
We see this declared early in the chapter, only a few verses before. Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
The context of this verse is that the whole of creation, every leaf, rock, organic matter, and beyond, is crying out for the day of redemption. Everything longs for the day when the seasons are not harsh, and the Lion and the Lamb lie down together when Christ returns.
Heaven is not the stereotype of people floating on clouds and playing harps. Scriptures tell us that the heaven where we will spend eternity is Christ returning and recreating the heavens and the Earth with Him dwelling among us. 2 Timothy even declares that if we endure hardship, we will reign with Him.
Everything you’re going through this side of heaven is developing you as a responsibility to the new world. You have God in Christ, who identifies with you. Not only does He identify with you in your sufferings, but He also entered into humanity for the sake of our deepest need, which was to atone for our sins, to bear the brunt of every failure and mistake, and, whereby everyone who turns to Him in faith can be forgiven.
TL;DR
Romans 8:28 does not guarantee a trouble-free life or justify suffering but rather highlights that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
This verse calls us to reorient ourselves and change our perspective regarding our circumstances.
It teaches that God is at work in every aspect of our lives, and we should align ourselves with His purpose to experience His blessings and development.
Romans 8:28 is a conditional promise for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
Our love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His word, and aligning our lives with His purpose allows us to experience the fullness of this promise.
The promise of Romans 8:28, while it does not guarantee a painless life, assures us that God can use our suffering for our ultimate good and the good of others.
The perspective of Romans 8:28 is not limited to the temporal but extends to the eternal. God's ultimate purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus, and develop us for the new world to come.
Related Reading
How Do I Read the Bible by Grant Caldwell
What is the Context of Jeremiah 29:11? by Rev. Paul Lawler
How Does God’s Word Transform Us? by Rev. Paul Lawler
