What does it mean that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)?

Answer

When a Christian speaks the phrase “all things work together for good,” he or she is referring to a portion of one of the most quoted verses in the New Testament, Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Or, as the KJV translates it, “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.”

God orchestrates all things for good—both for His good and our good. As God is glorified, His people benefit.

In Romans 8, Paul contrasts a life lived in selfish pursuits (the flesh) and one lived in alignment with God (the Spirit). He emphasizes that our sovereign God is all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful.

Those who love God can rely on His goodness, His power, and His will to bring about good in all things for us. We journey together with Him.

The assurance that God works all things together for good does not imply that all things, on their own, are good. Some things and events are clearly bad. However, God can blend them together for good. He sees the bigger picture; He has a master plan.

Likewise, the assurance that God works all things together for good does not guarantee that we will obtain all that we want or desire. Romans 8:28 speaks of God’s goodness and our trust that His plan will unfold as He deems best. Since His plan is always good, Christians can trust that, regardless of our circumstances or surroundings, God is at work and will bring things to a conclusion according to His good and wise design. With this understanding, we can learn to be content, as seen in Philippians 4:11.

The fact that God works all things together for good means that God’s plan will not be hindered. In reality, we are part of His plan, having been “called according to his purpose.” «And we know that all things workTogether for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). When we trust God and His ways, we can be certain that He is active and powerful on our behalf (see Ephesians 3:20).

God knows the future, and His desires will be fulfilled. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please'” “declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”, (Isaiah 46:10). Even when things seem chaotic and out of control, God is still in charge. We sometimes worry about what is happening to us because we do not know what is best for us. But God does.

The principle of God working all things together for good is well illustrated in the Old Testament account of Joseph’s life. Early in Joseph’s life, his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. In Egypt, Joseph rises to a position of responsibility. Then, he is unjustly imprisoned and forgotten by his friends. God gifts him the ability to interpret dreams, and through that ability, Joseph is once again raised to a place of honor and power. When drought forces Joseph’s brothers to seek food elsewhere, they travel to Egypt and encounter Joseph, who eventually saves them from starvation and grants them a livelihood in his new land.

Throughout his life, Joseph trusted God regardless of his circumstances, whether good or bad. Joseph experienced plenty of hardships: kidnapping, slavery, false accusations, wrongful imprisonment, rejection, and famine. But in the end, God brought things to a wonderful, life-affirming conclusion. God blessed Joseph’s entire family through those painful circumstances and Joseph’s faith. (You can read about Joseph’s story in the Bible).

H’s life begins in Genesis 37.)

Paul’s life is another testament to how God orchestrates all things for good. Paul endured shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, murder attempts, temporary blindness, and more—all within God’s plan to spread the gospel (see Acts 9:16 and 2 Corinthians 11:24-27). Throughout it all, God was unwaveringly working to bring about positive and glorious outcomes.

After affirming that God works all things together for our benefit, Romans 8 concludes with the marvelous truth that God prevails over everything that opposes Him and His followers. The believer is assured that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39).
God’s love is eternal, and His wisdom is limitless. Regardless of who or what tries to obstruct God’s plan, no one and nothing can succeed. God will harmonize all things for the benefit of those who love Him. Our choice to align our will with God’s and always trust Him will be rewarded.