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Selected Verse: Romans 8:28 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 8:28	Strong Concordance	And [1161] we know [1492] that all things [3956] work together [4903] for [1519] good [18] to them that [3754] love [25] God [2316], to them who are [5607] the called [2822] according [2596] to his purpose [4286].
	King James	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.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
And--or, "Moreover," or "Now"; noting a transition to a new particular. we know, &c.--The order in the original is more striking: "We know that to them that love God" (compare Co1 2:9; Eph 6:24; Jam 1:12; Jam 2:5) "all things work together for good [even] to them who are the called (rather, 'who are called') according to His (eternal) purpose." Glorious assurance! And this, it seems, was a "household word," a "known" thing, among believers. This working of all things for good is done quite naturally to "them that love God," because such souls, persuaded that He who gave His own Son for them cannot but mean them well in all His procedure, learn thus to take in good part whatever He sends them, however trying to flesh and blood: and to them who are the called, according to "His purpose," all things do in the same intelligible way "work together for good"; for, even when "He hath His way in the whirlwind," they see "His chariot paved with love" (Sol 3:10). And knowing that it is in pursuance of an eternal "purpose" of love that they have been "called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" (Co1 1:9), they naturally say within themselves, "It cannot be that He 'of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things,' should suffer that purpose to be thwarted by anything really adverse to us, or that He should not make all things, dark as well as light, crooked as well as straight, to co-operate to the furtherance and final completion of His high design."

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

And--or, "Moreover," or "Now"; noting a transition to a new particular.

we know, &c.--The order in the original is more striking: "We know that to them that love God" (compare Co1 2:9; Eph 6:24; Jam 1:12; Jam 2:5) "all things work together for good [even] to them who are the called (rather, 'who are called') according to His (eternal) purpose." Glorious assurance! And this, it seems, was a "household word," a "known" thing, among believers. This working of all things for good is done quite naturally to "them that love God," because such souls, persuaded that He who gave His own Son for them cannot but mean them well in all His procedure, learn thus to take in good part whatever He sends them, however trying to flesh and blood: and to them who are the called, according to "His purpose," all things do in the same intelligible way "work together for good"; for, even when "He hath His way in the whirlwind," they see "His chariot paved with love" (Sol 3:10). And knowing that it is in pursuance of an eternal "purpose" of love that they have been "called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" (Co1 1:9), they naturally say within themselves, "It cannot be that He 'of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things,' should suffer that purpose to be thwarted by anything really adverse to us, or that He should not make all things, dark as well as light, crooked as well as straight, to co-operate to the furtherance and final completion of His high design."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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; Psa 119:67, Psa 119:71; Jer 31:18-19; Heb 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; Mat 20:16; Mat 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; Rom 1:6-7; Co1 1:2, Co1 1:24; Rev 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; Mat 12:4; Mar 2:26; Luk 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; Rom 9:11; Eph 1:11; Eph 3:11; Ti2 1:9; Jer 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; Eph 1:11. (2) it is without any merit on the part of the sinner - a purpose to save him by grace; Ti2 1:9. (3) it is eternal; Eph 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.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Work together (συνεργεῖ) Or, are working together, now, while the creation is in travail. Together refers to the common working of all the elements included in πάντα all things. For good Jacob cried, all these things are against me. Paul, all things are working together for good.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
And we know - This in general; though we do not always know particularly what to pray for. That all things - Ease or pain, poverty or riches, and the ten thousand changes of life. Work together for good - Strongly and sweetly for spiritual and eternal good. To them that are called according to his purpose - His gracious design of saving a lost world by the death of his Son. This is a new proposition. St. Paul, being about to recapitulate the whole blessing contained in justification, (termed "glorification," Rom 8:30,) first goes back to the purpose or decree of God, which is frequently mentioned in holy writ. To explain this (nearly in the words of an eminent writer) a little more at large: - When a man has a work of time and importance before him, he pauses, consults, and contrives; and when he has laid a plan, resolves or decrees to proceed accordingly. Having observed this in ourselves, we are ready to apply it to God also; and he, in condescension to us has applied it to himself. The works of providence and redemption are vast and stupendous, and therefore we are apt to conceive of God as deliberating and consulting on them, and then decreeing to act according to "the counsel of his own will;" as if, long before the world was made, he had been concerting measures both as to the making and governing of it, and had then writ down his decrees, which altered not, any more than the laws of the Medes and Persians. Whereas, to take this consulting and decreeing in a literal sense, would be the same absurdity as to ascribe a real human body and human passions to the ever - blessed God. This is only a popular representation of his infallible knowledge and unchangeable wisdom; that is, he does all things as wisely as a man can possibly do, after the deepest consultation, and as steadily pursues the most proper method as one can do who has laid a scheme beforehand. But then, though the effects be such as would argue consultation and consequent decrees in man, yet what need of a moment's consultation in Him who sees all things at one view? Nor had God any more occasion to pause and deliberate, and lay down rules for his own conduct from all eternity, than he has now. What was there any fear of his mistaking afterwards, if he had not beforehand prepared decrees, to direct him what he was to do? Will any man say, he was wiser before the creation than since? or had he then more leisure, that he should take that opportunity to settle his affairs, and make rules (or himself, from which he was never to vary? He has doubtless the same wisdom and all other perfections at this day which he had from eternity; and is now as capable of making decrees, or rather has no more occasion for them now than formerly: his understanding being always equally clear and bright, his wisdom equally infallible.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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. 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 Rom 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, Gen 17:4 : Thou shalt be a father of many nations - and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him, Gen 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.

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⁹ God [2316] is faithful [4103], by [1223] whom [3739] ye were called [2564] unto [1519] the fellowship [2842] of his [846] Son [5207] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] our [2257] Lord [2962].

¹⁰ He made [06213] the pillars [05982] thereof of silver [03701], the bottom [07507] thereof of gold [02091], the covering [04817] of it of purple [0713], the midst [08432] thereof being paved [07528] with love [0160], for the daughters [01323] of Jerusalem [03389].

⁵ Hearken [191], my [3450] beloved [27] brethren [80], Hath [1586] not [3756] God [2316] chosen [1586] the poor [4434] of this [5127] world [2889] rich [4145] in [1722] faith [4102], and [2532] heirs [2818] of the kingdom [932] which [3739] he hath promised [1861] to them that love [25] him [846]?

¹² Blessed [3107] is the man [435] that [3739] endureth [5278] temptation [3986]: for [3754] when he is tried [1384] [1096], he shall receive [2983] the crown [4735] of life [2222], which [3739] the Lord [2962] hath promised [1861] to them that love [25] him [846].

²⁴ Grace [5485] be with [3326] all [3956] them that love [25] our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] in [1722] sincerity [861]. Amen [281].

⁹ But [235] as [2531] it is written [1125], [3739] Eye [3788] hath [1492] not [3756] seen [1492], nor [2532] [3756] ear [3775] heard [191], neither [2532] [3756] have entered [305] into [1909] the heart [2588] of man [444], the things which [3739] God [2316] hath prepared [2090] for them that love [25] him [846].

¹¹ According to [2596] the eternal [165] purpose [4286] which [3739] he purposed [4160] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] our [2257] Lord [2962]:

⁹ Who [3588] hath saved [4982] us [2248], and [2532] called [2564] us with an holy [40] calling [2821], not [3756] according to [2596] our [2257] works [2041], but [235] according to [2596] his own [2398] purpose [4286] and [2532] grace [5485], which [3588] was given [1325] us [2254] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] before [4253] the world began [5550] [166],

¹¹ In [1722] whom [3739] also [2532] we have obtained an inheritance [2820], being predestinated [4309] according to [2596] the purpose [4286] of him who worketh [1754] all things [3956] after [2596] the counsel [1012] of his own [846] will [2307]:

²⁹ And the land [0776] shall tremble [07493] and sorrow [02342]: for every purpose [04284] of the LORD [03068] shall be performed [06965] against Babylon [0894], to make [07760] the land [0776] of Babylon [0894] a desolation [08047] without an inhabitant [03427].

¹¹ According to [2596] the eternal [165] purpose [4286] which [3739] he purposed [4160] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] our [2257] Lord [2962]:

¹¹ (For [1063] the children being [1080] not yet [3380] born [1080], neither [3366] having done [4238] any [5100] good [18] or [2228] evil [2556], that [2443] the purpose [4286] of God [2316] according [2596] to election [1589] might stand [3306], not [3756] of [1537] works [2041], but [235] of [1537] him that calleth [2564]

⁴ How [5613] he went [1525] into [1519] the house [3624] of God [2316], and [2532] did take [2983] and [2532] eat [5315] the shewbread [740] [4286], and [2532] gave [1325] also [2532] to them that were with [3326] him [846]; which [3739] it is [1832] not [3756] lawful [1832] to eat [5315] but for [1508] the priests [2409] alone [3441]?

²⁶ How [4459] he went [1525] into [1519] the house [3624] of God [2316] in the days [1909] of Abiathar [8] the high priest [749], and [2532] did eat [5315] the shewbread [740] [4286], which [3739] is [1832] not [3756] lawful [1832] to eat [5315] but for [1508] the priests [2409], and [2532] gave [1325] also [2532] to them which were [5607] with [4862] him [846]?

⁴ How [4459] he entered into [1525] [1519] the house [3624] of God [2316], and [2532] did eat [5315] the shewbread [740] [4286], which [3739] was [2258] not [3756] lawful [1832] for him [846] to eat [5315], neither for [3761] them which [3326] were with him [846], but [1508] only [3441] for the priests [2409]?

¹⁴ These [3778] shall make war [4170] with [3326] the Lamb [721], and [2532] the Lamb [721] shall overcome [3528] them [846]: for [3754] he is [2076] Lord [2962] of lords [2962], and [2532] King [935] of kings [935]: and [2532] they that are with [3326] him [846] are called [2822], and [2532] chosen [1588], and [2532] faithful [4103].

²⁴ But [1161] unto them [846] which [3588] are called [2822], both [5037] Jews [2453] and [2532] Greeks [1672], Christ [5547] the power [1411] of God [2316], and [2532] the wisdom [4678] of God [2316].

² Unto the church [1577] of God [2316] which [3588] is [5607] at [1722] Corinth [2882], to them that are sanctified [37] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424], called [2822] to be saints [40], with [4862] all [3956] that in [1722] every [3956] place [5117] call upon [1941] the name [3686] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] our [2257] Lord [2962], both [5037] theirs [846] and [2532] ours [2257]:

⁶ Among [1722] whom [3739] are [2075] ye [5210] also [2532] the called [2822] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]:
⁷ To all [3956] that be [5607] in [1722] Rome [4516], beloved [27] of God [2316], called [2822] to be saints [40]: Grace [5485] to you [5213] and [2532] peace [1515] from [575] God [2316] our [2257] Father [3962], and [2532] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].

¹⁴ For [1063] many [4183] are [1526] called [2822], but [1161] few [3641] are chosen [1588].

¹⁶ So [3779] the last [2078] shall be [2071] first [4413], and [2532] the first [4413] last [2078]: for [1063] many [4183] be [1526] called [2822], but [1161] few [3641] chosen [1588].

¹¹ Now [1161] no [3956] [3756] chastening [3809] for [4314] [3303] the present [3918] seemeth [1380] to be [1511] joyous [5479], but [235] grievous [3077]: nevertheless [1161] afterward [5305] it yieldeth [591] the peaceable [1516] fruit [2590] of righteousness [1343] unto them which are exercised [1128] thereby [1223] [846].

¹⁸ I have surely [08085] heard [08085] Ephraim [0669] bemoaning [05110] himself thus; Thou hast chastised [03256] me, and I was chastised [03256], as a bullock [05695] unaccustomed [03808] [03925] to the yoke: turn [07725] thou me, and I shall be turned [07725]; for thou art the LORD [03068] my God [0430].
¹⁹ Surely after [0310] that I was turned [07725], I repented [05162]; and after [0310] that I was instructed [03045], I smote [05606] upon my thigh [03409]: I was ashamed [0954], yea, even confounded [03637], because I did bear [05375] the reproach [02781] of my youth [05271].

⁷¹ It is good [02896] for me that I have been afflicted [06031]; that I might learn [03925] thy statutes [02706].

⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted [06031] I went astray [07683]: but now have I kept [08104] thy word [0565].

³⁰ Moreover [1161] whom [3739] he did predestinate [4309], them [5128] he [2564] also [2532] called [2564]: and [2532] whom [3739] he called [2564], them [5128] he [1344] also [2532] justified [1344]: and [1161] whom [3739] he justified [1344], them [5128] he [1392] also [2532] glorified [1392].

¹⁸ Seeing that Abraham [085] shall surely become a great [01419] and mighty [06099] nation [01471], and all the nations [01471] of the earth [0776] shall be blessed [01288] in him?

⁴ As for me [0589], behold, my covenant [01285] is with thee, and thou shalt be a father [01] of many [01995] nations [01471].

²⁸ And [1161] we know [1492] that all things [3956] work together [4903] for [1519] good [18] to them that [3754] love [25] God [2316], to them who are [5607] the called [2822] according [2596] to his purpose [4286].
²⁹ For [3754] whom [3739] he did foreknow [4267], he [4309] also [2532] did predestinate [4309] to be conformed [4832] to the image [1504] of his [846] Son [5207], that [1519] he [846] might be [1511] the firstborn [4416] among [1722] many [4183] brethren [80].
³⁰ Moreover [1161] whom [3739] he did predestinate [4309], them [5128] he [2564] also [2532] called [2564]: and [2532] whom [3739] he called [2564], them [5128] he [1344] also [2532] justified [1344]: and [1161] whom [3739] he justified [1344], them [5128] he [1392] also [2532] glorified [1392].