All Things Work Together For Good

“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

This verse has been a particular source of comfort to Christians for two millennia. Unfortunately, it has also been frequently been misapplied and taken out of context. The context is the manner in which God is working out our redemption practically speaking, in this life, while we are still in the flesh waiting with eager anticipation for the adoption of sons, which is the resurrection of our bodies, given the transaction of our salvation (lit. our justification) has already been completed and the future realization of our redemption is guaranteed.

In this already-not-yet period of the Christian’s existence, the Spirit of God makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God, thus helping us in our infirmities. But this is not all that God is doing. Recall in the introduction of this letter, I laid out the chiastic structure of Paul’s letter and suggested that the form of the letter was nearly as instructive as the content of the letter. 

1:1-17 Introduction

1:18-3:30 Chaos (Devolution of Humanity)

4-5 Faith Saves

6-7 Two Regimes

8 The Glory of the Gospel

9-11 Two Branches

12-13 Faith Works

14-15 Cosmos (Evolution of Humanity)

16 Farewell

Paul now begins to reveal what is often called “the golden chain” of redemption as he begins his ascent to the pinnacle of his letter. In the providential work of God, he is working all things—good and evil—together for good, specifically for those who love him, for those who are the called according to his purpose.

It is here so many misuse Paul’s words to mean something other than what God is actually doing. To understand the nature of God’s covenant promise, one must understand what Paul means by “those who love God,” and “those who are the called according to his purpose.” Further, one must understand how Paul is defining “good.” In other words, for whom is such grace directed and what is the nature of this good that God is working all things together toward?

Hint: All things do not work together for good for everyone. They work together for good for those to whom the promise is made–believers; and the good is becoming conformed to the image of Christ.