Romans 8:28

Roman 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.

a. NLT: And we know that God causes everything to work togetherfn for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

b. NIV: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whofn have been called according to his purpose.

c. YLT: And we have known that to those loving God all things do work together for good, to those who are called according to purpose;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

e. Worrell Translation: And we know that all things are working together for good to them who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose;

1. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…”

a. and [1161 * de] [Strong:  a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. we know [1492 * eido] [Strong: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot.]

c. that all things [3956 * pas] [Strong: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

d. work together [4903 * sunergeo] [Strong: from 4904; to be a fellow-worker, i.e. co-operate:--help (work) with, work(-er) together.]

e. for [1519 * eis] [Strong: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

f. good [18 * agathos] [Strong: a primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun):--benefit, good(-s, things), well.]

g. to them that [3754 * hoti] [Strong: neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

h. love [25 * agapao] [Strong: perhaps from agan (much) (or compare 5689); to love (in a social or moral sense):--(be-)love(-ed).]

i. God [2316 * theos] [Strong:  of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). Do we want all things to work together for our good? Of course we do, but there is a qualifier inserted in this section of the verse. It will work together for our good if we love God. If we love him we will obey his word.

a). Exodus 20:4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourthgeneration of them that hate me;

20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

b). Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

c). John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

d). John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

2. “…to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

a. to them who are [5607 * on] [Strong: including the feminine ousa oo'-sah; and the neuter on on present participle of 1510; being:--be, come, have.]

b. the called [2822 * kletos] [Strong: from the same as 2821; invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint:--called.]

c. according to [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

d. his purpose [4286 * prosthesis] [Strong: from 4388; a setting forth, i.e. (figuratively) proposal (intention); specially, the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God:--purpose, shew(-bread).]

1). God’s purpose for all of us is to be conformed the the image of His Son Christ Jesus.

a). Romans 8:29 For 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.

2). The purpose of God is accomplished in our lives when we obey His word and in doing so we will conform our lives to His.

a). Romans 12:1, 2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind; that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

b). 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

3). Our ministry our purpose for being on this earth is to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.