Romans 8:28

New Living Translation

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan.

Revised Standard Version
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For we knowe that all thinges worke for the best vnto them yt love God which also are called of purpose.

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

International Standard Version
And we know that he works all things togetherthat all things work together; other mss. read that God works all things together">[fn] for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.Romans 9:11,23-24; 2 Timothy 1:9;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

New Century Version
We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan.

Update Bible Version
And we know that to those that love God all things work together for good, to those that are called according to [his] purpose.

Webster's Bible Translation
And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

English Standard Version
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

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

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And we know, that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.

Weymouth's New Testament
Now we know that for those who love God all things are working together for good--for those, I mean, whom with deliberate purpose He has called.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And we witen, that to men `that louen God, alle thingis worchen togidere in to good, to hem that aftir purpos ben clepid seyntis.

English Revised Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Contemporary English Version
We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,

Amplified Bible
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

American Standard Version
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.

Bible in Basic English
And we are conscious that all things are working together for good to those who have love for God, and have been marked out by his purpose.

Complete Jewish Bible
Furthermore, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose;

Darby Translation
But we *do* know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose.

Etheridge Translation
BUT we know that those who love Aloha, in every thing he helpeth them for good; them whom he set before that they might be called.

Murdock Translation
And we know that he aideth him in all things, for good, who love God; them whom he predestined to be called.

King James Version (1611)
And wee know that all things worke together for good, to them that loue God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

New Life Bible
We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.

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

Geneva Bible (1587)
Also we knowe that all thinges worke together for the best vnto them that loue God, euen to them that are called of his purpose.

George Lamsa Translation
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
We know, further, that, unto them who love God, God causeth all things to work together for good, - unto them who, according to purpose, are such as he hath called;

Douay-Rheims Bible
And we know that to them that love God all things work together unto good: to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
For we knowe yt all thinges worke for the best, vnto them that loue God, to them which also are called of purpose.

Good News Translation
We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.

Christian Standard Bible®
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

King James Version
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Lexham English Bible
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose,

Literal Translation
But we know that to the ones loving God all things work together for good, to those being called according to purpose;

Young's Literal Translation
And we have known that to those loving God all things do work together for good, to those who are called according to purpose;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But sure we are, that all thinges serue for the best vnto them that loue of God, which are called of purpose.

Mace New Testament (1729)
We know too, that all things co-operate for the good of those who love God, who, pursuant to his purpose, has now called them:

New English Translation
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,

New King James Version
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Simplified Cowboy Version
We have no doubt God will take the reins and lead all us cowboys and cowgirls who have answered his call to green pastures.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Legacy Standard Bible
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Contextual Overview

²⁶ And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. ²⁷ And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. ²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

we know: Romans 8:35-39, Romans 5:3, Romans 5:4, Genesis 50:20, Deuteronomy 8:2, Deuteronomy 8:3, Deuteronomy 8:16, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:2, Jeremiah 24:5-7, Zechariah 13:9, 2 Corinthians 4:15-17, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Philippians 1:19-23, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7, Hebrews 12:6-12, James 1:3, James 1:4, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 1:8, Revelation 3:19

them: Romans 5:5, Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 6:5, Nehemiah 1:5, Psalms 69:36, Mark 12:30, 1 Corinthians 2:9, James 1:12, James 2:5, 1 John 4:10, 1 John 4:19, 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:3

the called: Romans 8:30, Romans 1:6, Romans 1:7, Romans 9:11, Romans 9:23, Romans 9:24, Jeremiah 51:29, Acts 13:48, Galatians 1:15, Ephesians 1:9, Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:14, 2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 5:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:36 - all these things are against me Exodus 1:12 - But the more Deuteronomy 5:10 - love me Deuteronomy 7:9 - which keepeth Deuteronomy 10:12 - love Deuteronomy 30:6 - to love the Lord Joshua 22:5 - love Joshua 23:11 - love Judges 5:31 - them that 2 Samuel 16:12 - requite 1 Kings 3:3 - loved Ezra 8:22 - The hand Psalms 5:11 - love Psalms 20:4 - General Psalms 25:10 - the paths Psalms 91:14 - set Psalms 97:10 - Ye that Psalms 103:17 - the mercy Psalms 119:175 - and let thy Psalms 121:7 - preserve Psalms 138:8 - perfect Psalms 145:20 - preserveth Proverbs 12:21 - no Proverbs 19:23 - he shall Song of Solomon 2:4 - his banner Song of Solomon 8:7 - waters Isaiah 14:27 - the Lord Isaiah 48:12 - my called Isaiah 54:17 - weapon Isaiah 56:6 - to love Jeremiah 32:40 - that I Daniel 2:30 - but Daniel 9:4 - the great Joel 2:32 - and in Malachi 3:6 - therefore Matthew 18:14 - it is Matthew 24:24 - insomuch Luke 12:32 - the kingdom John 5:24 - and shall not John 6:39 - this John 15:2 - and John 16:7 - It John 17:6 - thine Romans 8:32 - how Romans 11:7 - but the election 1 Corinthians 1:9 - by 1 Corinthians 1:24 - called 1 Corinthians 3:21 - For 1 Corinthians 8:3 - love 1 Corinthians 10:13 - who 2 Corinthians 1:6 - effectual Ephesians 1:4 - as Ephesians 1:18 - his calling Ephesians 4:1 - vocation Philippians 1:6 - begun Philippians 1:12 - rather Philippians 3:14 - the high 1 Thessalonians 1:4 - Knowing 2 Thessalonians 3:5 - into 1 Timothy 4:8 - having 1 Timothy 6:6 - godliness 1 Timothy 6:12 - whereunto 2 Timothy 1:9 - called Hebrews 3:1 - the heavenly Hebrews 6:19 - both Hebrews 9:15 - they which 1 Peter 1:15 - as 1 Peter 3:9 - called 1 Peter 3:13 - who 2 Peter 1:3 - called 2 Peter 1:10 - election

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And we know that all things work together for good,.... There is a temporal good, and a spiritual good, and an eternal one. Temporal good is what the men of the world are seeking after, and generally have the greatest share of, and the saints the least; and yet they have as much as is needful for them, and what they have, they have with a blessing; and even sometimes afflictions work for the temporal good of God's children: spiritual good lies in a lively exercise of grace and a conformity of the soul to God; and is what the men of the world least regard, and the saints most; and sometimes afflictions issue in this sort of good, as they do also in eternal good, for they work for us an exceeding weight of glory: by "all things" may be meant, all beings good and bad: all good beings eternal or created: eternal, as Jehovah the Father, all his perfections, purposes, promises, provisions, and performances; Jehovah the Son, as the mighty God, and as Mediator, all that he is in himself, all that he has in himself, all that he has done, or is doing, all his titles, characters, and relations; Jehovah the Spirit, in his person, offices, and operations; these all have worked together in the council of peace, in the covenant of grace, and in redemption; and they do work together in sanctification, and so they will in glorification, and that for the good of the saints: all created ones, as good angels, good magistrates, good ministers of the Gospel: all evil beings, as devils, persecuting magistrates, heretics, and false teachers: all things, good and bad: all good things, outward peace and prosperity, external gifts, the ministry of the word, the administration of ordinances, church censures, admonitions, and excommunications; all evil things, sin the evil of evils: original sin, or the fall of Adam, which contains all other sins in it, was attended with aggravating circumstances, and followed with dismal consequences, yet has been overruled for good; hereby a Saviour became necessary, who was sent, came, and wrought out salvation; has brought in a better righteousness than Adam lost; entitled his people to a better life than his was, and makes them partakers of the riches both of grace and glory: actual sin, inward or outward; indwelling sin; which is made use of, when discovered, to abate pride, to lead to an entire dependence on Christ, to teach saints to be less censorious, to depend on the power and grace of God to keep them, and to wean them from this world, and to make them desirous of another, where they shall be free from it; outward sins, of others, or their own; the sins of others, of wicked men, which observed, raise an indignation in the saints against sin, and a concern for God's glory, and to look into their own hearts and ways, and admire the grace of God to them, that this is not their case; of good men, which are recorded, and may be observed, not for example and encouragement in sin, but for admonition, and to encourage faith and hope under a sense of it; of their own, for humiliation, which issues in weakening the power of sin in themselves, and the strengthening of the graces of others: but from all this it does not follow, that God is the author of sin, only that he overrules it to wise and gracious purposes; nor should any take encouragement to sin, to do evil that good may come; nor is sin itself a real good; nor is it to be said that it does no hurt; for though it cannot hinder the everlasting salvation of God's people, it does a great deal of hurt to their peace and comfort; and that it is made to work in any form or shape for good, is not owing to its own nature and influence, which is malignant enough, but to the unbounded power and unsearchable wisdom of God: all evils or afflictions, spiritual and temporal, work together for good; all spiritual ones, such as the temptations of Satan, which are made useful for humiliation, for the trial of grace, to show us our weakness, our need of Christ, and to conform us to him, and also to excite to prayer and watchfulness; the hidings of God's face, which make his presence the more prized when enjoyed, and the more desirable. Temporal afflictions, afflictions in body, name, or estate, nay even death itself, all work together for the good of God's people. The Jews tell us of one Nahum, the man Gamzu, who, they say, was k so called, because of everything that happened to him he used to say, גם זו לטובה, "Gam zu letobah", "this is also for good": and they give instances of several misfortunes which befell him, upon which account he used these words, and how they proved in the issue to his advantage: agreeably to this is the advice given by them,

"for ever (say they l) let a man be used to say, all that the Lord does, לטב עביד, "he does for good".''

Now that all things do work together for good, the saints "know", and are firmly persuaded of; both from the word and promises of God, and from the instances of Jacob, Joseph, Job, and others, and also from their own experience: and it is to be observed, that it is not said that all things "have" worked together, and so they may again, or that they "shall" work together, but all things work together for good; they "now" work together, they are always working together, whether it can be observed or not: prosperity and adversity, whether in things temporal or spiritual, work "together", and make an intricate woven work in providence and grace; which will be viewed with admiration another day: one copy reads, "God works together", or "causes all things to work together for good"; and so the Ethiopic version, "we know that God helps them that love him, to every good thing": and to this agrees the Syriac version, "we know that to them that love God, he in everything helps them to good"; and certain it is, that God is the efficient cause, that makes all things work together for his people's good. The persons to whom all things work together for good, are described as such

that love God; a character, which does not agree with all the sons and daughters of Adam: love to God is not naturally in men; it is wrought in the soul in regeneration, and is an evidence of it; it grows up with faith, which works by it; without it, a profession of religion is vain; and where it is once wrought, it lasts for ever; it ought to be superlative and universal, constant, warm and ardent, hearty and sincere: such who have it, show it by a desire to be like to God, and therefore imitate him, by making his glory the supreme end of their actions; by being careful not to offend him; by delighting in his presence, in his people, word, ordinances, ways, and worship; and by undervaluing the world, and all things in it, in comparison of him; who is to be loved for the perfections of his being, the characters and relations he stands in and bears to his people, and on account of the love with which he has loved them, and which is indeed the spring and source of theirs. They are further described, as such

who are the called according to his purpose. The called of God and of Jesus Christ; not to any office, or by the external ministry of the word only, but by special grace; from darkness to light, from bondage to liberty, from the company of sinful men to fellowship with Christ, from a trust in their own righteousness to a dependence on his, to grace here, and glory hereafter; which is done according to the purpose of God: the persons called are fixed upon by God; none are called but whom God purposed to call; those who are called can assign no other reason of it than the will of God; and no other reason but that can be given why others are not called; the time when, the place where, the means whereby persons are called, are all settled and determined by the will, and according to the purpose of God.

k T. Bab. Taanith, fol. 21. 1. Sanhedrin, fol. 108. 2. Cosri, fol. 151. 1. l T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 60. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And we know - This verse introduces another source of consolation and support, drawn from the fact that all flyings are under the direction of an infinitely wise Being, who has purposed the salvation of the Christian, and who has so appointed all things that they shall contribute to it.

All things - All our afflictions and trials; all the persecutions and calamities to which we are exposed. Though they are numerous and long-continued yet they are among the means that are appointed for our welfare.

Work together for good - They shall cooperate; they shall mutually contribute to our good. They take off our affections from this world; they teach us the truth about our frail, transitory, and lying condition; they lead us to look to God for support, and to heaven for a final home; and they produce a subdued spirit. a humble temper, a patient, tender, and kind disposition. This has been the experience of all saints; and at the end of life they have been able to say it was good for them to be afflicted; Psalms 119:67, Psalms 119:71; Jeremiah 31:18-19; Hebrews 12:11.

For good - For our real welfare; for the promotion of true piety, peace, and happiness in our hearts.

To them that love God - This is a characteristic of true piety. To them, afflictions are a blessing. To others, they often prove otherwise. On others they are sent as chastisements; and they produce complaining, instead of peace; rebellion, instead of submission; and anger, impatience, and hatred, instead of calmness, patience, and love. The Christian is made a better man by receiving afflictions as they should be received, and by desiring that they should accomplish the purpose for which they are sent; the sinner is made more hardened by resisting them, and refusing to submit to their obvious intention and design.

To them who are the called - Christians are often represented as called of God. The word κλητός klētos is sometimes used to denote an external invitation, offer, or calling; Matthew 20:16; Matthew 22:14. But excepting in these places, it is used in the New Testament to denote those who had accepted the call, and were true Christians; Romans 1:6-7; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:24; Revelation 17:14. It is evidently used in this sense here - to denote those who were true Christians. The connection as well as the usual meaning of the word, requires us thus to understand it. Christians are said to be called because God has invited them to be saved, and has sent into their heart such an influence as to make the call effectual to their salvation. In this way their salvation is to be traced entirely to God.

According to his purpose - The word here rendered “purpose” πρόθεσις prothesis means properly a proposition, or a laying down anything in view of others; and is thus applied to the bread that was laid on the table of show-bread; Matthew 12:4; Mark 2:26; Luke 6:4. Hence, it means, when applied to the mind, a plan or purpose of mind. It implies that God had a plan, purpose, or intention, in regard to all who became Christians. They are not saved by chance or hap-hazard. God does not convert people without design; and his designs are not new, but are eternal. What he does. he always meant to do. What it is right for him to do, it was right always to intend to do. What God always meant to do, is his purpose or plan. That he has such a purpose in regard to the salvation of his people, is often affirmed; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; Jeremiah 51:29. This purpose of saving his people is,

1. One over which a creature can have no control; it is according to the counsel of his own will; Ephesians 1:11.

(2)It is without any merit on the part of the sinner - a purpose to save him by grace; 2 Timothy 1:9.

(3)It is eternal; Ephesians 3:11.

(4)It is such as should excite lively gratitude in all who have been inclined by the grace of God to accept the offers of eternal life. They owe it to the mere mercy of God, and they should acknowledge him as the fountain and source of all their hopes of heaven.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God] To understand this verse aright, let us observe:

1. That the persons in whose behalf all things work for good are they who love God, and, consequently, who live in the spirit of obedience.

2. It is not said that all things shall work for good, but that συνεργει, they work now in the behalf of him who loveth now, αγαπωσι; for both verbs are in the present tense.

3. All these things work together; while they are working, God's providence is working, his Spirit is working, and they are working TOGETHER with him. And whatever troubles, or afflictions, or persecutions may arise, God presses them into their service; and they make a part of the general working, and are caused to contribute to the general good of the person who now loves God, and who is working by faith and love under the influence and operation of the Holy Ghost. They who say sin works for good to them that love God speak blasphemous nonsense. A man who now loves God is not now sinning against God; and the promise belongs only to the present time: and as love is the true incentive to obedience, the man who is entitled to the promise can never, while thus entitled, (loving God,) be found in the commission of sin. But though this be a good general sense for these words, yet the all things mentioned here by the apostle seem more particularly to mean those things mentioned in Romans 8:28-30.

To them who are the called according to his purpose. — Dr. Taylor translates τοις κλητοις, the invited; and observes that it is a metaphor taken from inviting guests, or making them welcome to a feast. As if he had said: Certainly all things work together for their good; for this reason, because they are called, invited, or made welcome to the blessings of the covenant, (which is ratified in eating of the covenant sacrifice,) according to God's original purpose first declared to Abraham, Genesis 17:4: Thou shalt be a father of many nations-and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him, Genesis 18:18. Thus this clause is to be understood; and thus it is an argument to prove that all things, how afflictive soever, shall work for our good while we continue to love God. Our being called or invited, according to God's purpose, proves that all things work for our good, on the supposition that we love God, and not otherwise. For our loving God, or making a due improvement of our calling, is evidently inserted by the apostle to make good his argument. He does not pretend to prove that all things shall concur to the everlasting happiness of all that are called; but only to those of the called who love God. Our calling, thus qualified is the ground of his argument, which he prosecutes and completes in the two next verses. Our calling he takes for granted, as a thing evident and unquestionable among all Christians. But you will say: How is it evident and unquestionable that we are called? I answer: From our being in the visible Church, and professing the faith of the Gospel. For always, in the apostolic writings, all that are in the visible Church, and profess the faith of the Gospel, are numbered among the called or invited; i.e. among the persons who are invited to feast on the covenant sacrifice, and who thus, in reference to themselves, confirm and ratify the covenant. As for what is termed effectual calling, as distinguished from the general invitations of the Gospel, it is a distinction which divines have invented without any warrant from the sacred writings. Our calling, therefore, is considered by the apostle in the nature of a self-evident proposition, which nobody doubts or denies; or which, indeed, no Christian ought to doubt, or can call in question, Taylor's notes.