Romans 8:28
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.
King James Version
World English Bible (WEB)
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
American Standard Version (ASV)
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.
What this verse means
Not that everything is good, but that God weaves even the painful threads toward good.
A closer look at Romans 8:28
Romans 8:28 sits inside a chapter that has already named groaning, weakness, suffering, and a creation waiting for renewal. All things work together for good therefore cannot mean that every individual event is good in itself. Paul has just said that the Spirit helps people who do not know how to pray, and he goes on to speak of suffering that cannot separate believers from God’s love. The good is the destination of God’s work, not a flattering label for every mile of the road.
The phrase is also addressed to them that love God and called according to His purpose; it is not a generic prosperity slogan. When someone is grieving, the verse should not be used to explain why the loss happened or to hurry the person toward a lesson. A more faithful use is slower: admit that the event is evil or painful, refuse to call it meaningless, and trust that God can weave even what we cannot redeem into a future we cannot yet see.
A short prayer
Lord, I cannot see the good in this yet. Work all things together, as You promised.
Read in context — Romans 8
26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Related verses
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”Luke 19:10
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”Mark 10:27
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”Mark 9:23
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”Matthew 17:20
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”Matthew 19:26
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