Romans 8:28

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

This is one of the most well-known and beloved verses in the entire Bible, and for good reason.

It can be translated in three different ways:

· “for those who love God all things work together for good” [ESV]
· “God makes all things work together for good” [NRSV]
· “in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about
what is good” [NIV textual note]

I think Paul deliberately wants us to think of all three meanings at once. God is working with everything and working with and through and around His people to bring about the good.

We have to be careful not to twist Romans 8:28 to a sort of magic formula, however. What Paul is NOT saying is that those who love God will not have any problems. Rather, what Paul is saying is that even problems can be used by God to bring about the ultimate good. The definitive example of this is the crucifixion of Jesus, which was a bad thing but which God, through the Holy Spirit, turned into the good thing of the resurrection.

Keep going—even the bad things will be used for good.