Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Romans 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.

KJV

οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγαπῶσιν τὸν θεὸν πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν, τοῖς κατὰ πρόθεσιν κλητοῖς οὖσιν.

Greek NT

Scimus autem quoniam diligentibus Deum omnia cooperantur in bonum, iis qui secundum propositum vocati sunt sancti.

Vulgate

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

ASV

And we know that to them that love God all things work together unto good: to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

14 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

δέ
de
conjunction · 2781×
εἰμί
eimi
verb · 2461×
εἰς
eis
preposition · 1769×
εἴδω
eido
verb · 317×
θεός
theos
noun · 1311×
κατά
kata
preposition · 470×
κλητός
kletos
adjective · 10×
πρόθεσις
prothesis
noun · 12×
πᾶς
pas
adjective · 1226×
συνεργέω
sunergeo
verb · 5×
ἀγαθός
agathos
adjective · 102×
ἀγαπάω
agapao
verb · 143×
ὁ
o
article · 19778×
ὅτι
oti
conjunction · 1299×

Textual variants

1 variant unit attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.

notable
SBLGNT: συνεργεῖ | Treg/NIV/RP: συνεργεῖ | WH: + ὁ θεὸς
  • συνεργεῖ — SBLGNT
  • συνεργεῖ — Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27), Robinson-Pierpont
  • + ὁ θεὸς — Westcott-Hort
source: sblgnt-apparatus

Themes

Historic Christian voices

23 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§313"We know that in everything God works for good for those who love him."180 The constant witness of the saints confirms this truth: St. Catherine of Siena said to "those who are scandalized and rebel against what happens to them": "Everything comes from love, all is ordained for the salvation of man, God does nothing without this goal in mind."181 St. Thomas More, shortly before…
§395The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God's reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of…
§1821We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will.92 In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere "to the end"93 and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God's eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ. In hope, the Church prays for "all men to be saved."94 She lo…
…and 2 more from this source.
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210215.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
City of God · 3 passages
Chapter 10.—That the Saints Lose Nothing in Losing Temporal Goods. These are the considerations which one must keep in view, that he may answer the question whether any evil happens to the faithful and godly which cannot be turned to profit. Or shall we say that the question is needless, and that the apostle is vaporing when he says, “We know that all things work together for g…
Chapter 23.—What We are to Understand by the Animal and Spiritual Body; Or of Those Who Die in Adam, And of Those Who are Made Alive in Christ. For as those bodies of ours, that have a living soul, though not as yet a quickening spirit, are called soul-informed bodies, and yet are not souls but bodies, so also those bodies are called spiritual,—yet God forbid we should therefor…
Chapter 51.—That the Catholic Faith May Be Confirmed Even by the Dissensions of the Heretics. But the devil, seeing the temples of the demons deserted, and the human race running to the name of the liberating Mediator, has moved the heretics under the Christian name to resist the Christian doctrine, as if they could be kept in the city of God indifferently without any correctio…
Then Joseph could not refrain himself. Joseph's revelation of himself to his brethren is deeply moving, and illustrates the reconciling grace of God. His declaration that God sent him before them to preserve life shows a profound understanding of providence. In all the evil his brothers intended, God was working out his sovereign purpose. This is the clearest Old Testament illu…
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. This is the pinnacle of the epistle. Calvin shows the golden chain of salvation: foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification. The Spirit of adoption enables believers to cry Abba, Father. All things work together for good to them that love God. If God be for us, who can be against…
Chapter 1.— This Work Not Intended as a Treatise on Rhetoric. 1. This work of mine, which is entitled On Christian Doctrine, was at the commencement divided into two parts. For, after a preface, in which I answered by anticipation those who were likely to take exception to the work, I said, There are two things on which all interpretation of Scripture depends: the mode of ascer…
Is providence suitably assigned to God? Does everything come under divine providence? Is divine providence immediately concerned with all things? Does divine providence impose any necessity upon things foreseen? Article 1. Whether providence can suitably be attributed to God? Objection 1. It seems that providence is not becoming to God. For providence, according to Tully (De In…
Heidelberg Catechism · 3 passages
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I am not my own, but belong — body and soul, in life and in death — to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father i…
Q. What do you believe when you say: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son. I trust him so much that I do not …
Q. Why the words in heaven? A. These words teach us not to think of God's heavenly majesty as something earthly, and to expect everything for body and soul from his almighty power.
Canons of Dort · 2 passages
The Synod rejects the errors of those who teach that in this life there is for believers no fruit, no awareness, and no assurance of their unchangeable election to glory, beyond a conditional awareness, which depends on whether they will continue to the end. For not only is it absurd to speak of an uncertain assurance, but these things are also contrary to the experience of the…
So it is not by their own merits or strength but by God's undeserved mercy that they neither forfeit faith and grace totally nor remain in their downfalls to the end and are lost. With respect to themselves this not only easily could happen, but also undoubtedly would happen; but with respect to God it cannot possibly happen, since his plan cannot be changed, his promise cannot…
The Formula affirms that God has from eternity chosen, predestined, and ordained to salvation those whom He foreknew would believe, and that this election is the cause of their salvation, faith, and perseverance. Election is in Christ and is revealed through the means of grace. It denies both a decree of reprobation (that God predestines anyone to damnation) and the idea that e…

Cross-references

  • 1Cor 1:9 — God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • 1Cor 1:9 — God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • 1Cor 1:24 — But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
  • 1Cor 2:9 — But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
  • 1Cor 2:9 — But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
  • 1Cor 3:21 — Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
  • 1Cor 8:3 — But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
  • 1Cor 10:13 — There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to esca
  • 1John 4:10 — Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
  • 1John 4:19 — We love him, because he first loved us.
  • 1John 5:2 — By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
  • 1Pet 1:7 — That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
  • 1Pet 1:15 — But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
  • 1Pet 3:9 — Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
  • 1Pet 3:13 — And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
  • 1Pet 5:10 — But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
  • 1Pet 5:10 — But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
  • 1Thess 1:4 — Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
  • 1Thess 5:9 — For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
  • 1Tim 6:6 — But godliness with contentment is great gain.
  • 1Tim 6:12 — Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
  • 2Cor 1:6 — And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consol
  • 2Cor 4:15 — For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
  • 2Cor 4:15 — For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
  • 2Cor 5:1 — For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
  • 2Pet 1:3 — According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
  • 2Pet 1:10 — Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
  • 2Sam 16:12 — It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
  • 2Thess 1:5 — Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
  • 2Thess 2:13 — But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the t
  • 2Thess 2:14 — Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 2Thess 3:5 — And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
  • 2Tim 1:9 — Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
  • 2Tim 1:9 — Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
  • 2Tim 2:19 — Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
  • 2Tim 2:19 — Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
  • Acts 13:48 — And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
  • Dan 9:4 — And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
  • Deut 5:10 — And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
  • Deut 6:5 — And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.