The ‘All Things’ of Romans 8.28: Are they about how God turns adversity into something good?

Romans 8.28 in the ESV translation reads,

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

After considering the translation, the question that begs for an answer is whether the common interpretation of this verse is correct.  That is, is Paul saying that God turns adversity into something good for those who love Him, or does his point lie elsewhere?

First, the verse could be translated differently, as the NIV does:

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.

The meaning is very close however the passage is translated.  The difference is whether ‘all things’ or ‘God’ is the subject.  Do all things work together for good, or does God work all things together for good?  The Greek grammar could go either way.  My preference in translation lies with the NIV, however, as it captures the meaning of the verse read in light of the whole chapter better.  The interpretation of the verse, however, does not depend on how we translate the verse.

Moving on, then, we need to ask, ‘What does Paul mean by “all things”?’  The popular interpretation of the verse needs to answer that he is intentionally general: whatever happens, things will work out for good.  Things are determined by God, even the bad things, and we just need to trust Him.  When something bad happens, God can and does turn this into something good.  Determinism is not, however, Paul’s point in this verse.

The immediate context in vv. 29-30, the entire chapter 8, and the parallel in Ephesians 1 all point in a different direction.  One wanting to take the route of the popular interpretation might find some assistance with Romans 5.3-4, where Paul appreciates that suffering produces perseverance, which produces character, which produces hope.  Similarly, James says, ‘Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness’ (1.2-3).  These texts do not lead us to determinism, but they do speak of adversity that God uses to bring some good.

Be that as it may, I would suggest the better understanding of Romans 8.28 lies with the view Paul expresses in Ephesians:

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will… (1.11).

Note that God is the one working all things.  The passage is also close to Romans 8 in that the notion of predestination is in view: the ‘all things’ that God is working is for those He has predestined, that is, who are in His salvation plan, and they are the things He works out according to His purpose and by His will.  Ephesians 1 brings out nicely the point that God works out His plan so that we ‘might be to the praise of His glory’ (v. 12).  The parallel with Romans also brings out this goal of our being glorified (Romans 8.30).  We see, too, that ‘all things’ in Ephesians 1.11 relate to God’s plan, and this helps us further with Romans.  The ‘all things’ are not things that happen to us but the salvation that God is working according to His plan.

Romans 8.29-30 lays this plan out in full:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Thus, the ‘all things’ that God works out for those who love Him are His plans of predestination to be conformed to Christ’s image, His calling, His work of justification, and His glorification of us.

In the Ephesians parallel, we see the same theological thought.  In Ephesians 1.3-14, the following words lay out the dimensions of God’s plan: we are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing, chosen in Christ to be holy and blameless, predestined for adoption as God’s sons through Jesus Christ, redeemed through Christ’s blood, forgiven of our trespasses, enlightened as to the mystery of God’s will, made beneficiaries of an inheritance, and sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.  These are the ‘all things’ that God works for us.

In Romans 8, ‘all things’ is not only explained in the immediate context of v. 28 by vv. 29-30 but also by the whole chapter.  As with Ephesians, Paul has in mind what God is doing for us according to His plan.  Thus, despite our sin, He has worked out a plan on Christ Jesus so that we will not be condemned (8.1).  He has worked a plan that frees us from slavery to sin and death (8.2).  Where the Law failed, God succeeded in accomplishing righteousness in us through Jesus Christ (8.3-4).  He has given us His empowering Spirit so that, by walking in accordance with Him, we might obtain life and peace (8.5-11).  By the Spirit, we obtain sonship and inheritance (8.12-17).  Despite suffering, a greater glory awaits us in God’s plan, the redemption of our bodies (8.18-23).  Thus, we have salvation and hope, as well as help in our weakness, for the Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will (8.24-27).

This litany of things—‘all things’—that God works for us is what Paul has in mind in the next verse, v. 28.  We have already noted the terms describing God’s plan in the next two verses.  God’s plan is complete from beginning to end—all things God works for those He loves.  Then Paul asks, ‘What then shall we say to these things?’ (v. 31).  The answer: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’  There is no part of God’s plan that escapes His working for our good.  He has it all covered.  He asks, ‘He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?’ (v. 32).  There is that word again—ta panta, all things.  The all things that God graciously gives are all things necessary for our salvation.

Paul covers ground already covered to draw out His point in the conclusion.  If someone brings a charge against us, God justifies (v. 33).  If someone condemns us, Jesus intercedes for us (v. 34).  If something threatens to separate us from God’s love, such as tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or a sword, the One who has loved us makes us to be more than conquerors. Not anything—death or life, angels or rulers, things present or future, powers, height, depth, anything in all creation—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (vv. 35-39).

So we conclude: Romans 8.28 is not about how God turns adversity into something good for us.  Rather, it is about how God has worked a great salvation in so many dimensions—all things—for us in Christ Jesus and through the Holy Spirit.  It is an impeccable salvation that is not subject to flaws or failure.  Paul does believe that suffering can be and is used by God for some good, but this is not His point in Romans 8.28.  The ‘all things’ God works for our good are the plan He accomplishes for those who love Him and are called into that plan according to His purposes.