What does “all things” mean?
Romans 8:28 is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. Many people memorize it, quote it in prayer, and find comfort in it during suffering. However, this verse is often misunderstood. The phrase “all things work together for good” does not simply refer to optimistic thinking or a positive mindset. When Paul wrote this verse, he meant it in the context of God’s sovereignty and redemptive plan. To understand it properly, we must begin by interpreting what “all things” actually means. While the phrase appears limitless, the “all things” of Scripture differs from what people usually imagine. In God’s language, “all things” is not a random list but a sovereign declaration of the conditions God uses to bring about His good.
Paul wrote these words in a context of suffering. Romans chapter 8 begins with a confession that creation is groaning and longing for redemption. Not only humanity but all creation has been subjected to futility, portraying the world’s broken reality. Amid this, the children of God are enduring hardship. It is here that Paul declares that God works all things together for good. The “all things” mentioned here do not only include favorable events. They encompass incomprehensible pain, unexpected failure, and unexplained suffering. “All things” includes events beyond human calculation. What seems impossible to human judgment can still be used in God’s plan.
The phrase “all things” directly challenges our human lens. We often evaluate events by their immediacy and visible outcomes. If something goes well, we label it a blessing. If something is difficult or uncomfortable, we consider it a curse or obstacle. But God does not fit within such binary categories. He is the one who turns evil into good and opens redemptive history through human failure. Joseph’s life is a clear example. Though he was sold into slavery by his brothers’ jealousy and imprisoned unjustly, he later confessed that the entire process was God’s providence. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,” he said. This was not because the outcome turned out well, but because every part of the process was under God’s hand. Joseph only realized after the suffering that everything had worked together. From God’s perspective, the entire journey was one continuous flow toward His good.
“All things work together” does not mean that things just happen to align into a good result. It means that God intentionally uses every circumstance within His will. “Work together” here does not imply cooperation between agents but expresses a theological confession that God sovereignly orchestrates each part. That’s why this verse applies only to believers. Paul explicitly says this applies “to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” This is not just a precondition. It means that only those in covenant relationship with God are included in this orchestration. For those without God, life may seem random. But for those who love Him, all things are connected by faith.
One critical point is that this verse does not claim all present events are inherently good. The Bible names evil for what it is and identifies sin as sin. God’s goodness is not revealed by ignoring or downplaying evil. Rather, His will is revealed by His power to reach into even evil circumstances and bring about His purpose. Thus, suffering or injustice in a believer’s life must not be prematurely romanticized. What matters is what it eventually produces. From God’s view, today’s pain may be preparation for tomorrow’s glory. But we cannot fully understand that glory until it is revealed. This verse is not an invitation to hastily interpret events, but a call to trust that God is at work.
“All things work together for good” is not psychological encouragement to look at life positively. It is an eschatological proclamation that God’s will shall be fulfilled. Paul emphasizes that even amid human suffering and creation’s groaning, God’s salvation is advancing. We now see only in part, but one day we will see fully. Faith is the belief that today’s “all things” are not meaningless. Even when results are invisible, faith trusts that God is still working. Faith does not depend on understanding everything, but on trusting even when nothing makes sense. God works through all things, and nothing is wasted.
What is “good” and how is it fulfilled?
The heart of Romans 8:28 is the “good” that is ultimately accomplished. As we explored, “all things” includes suffering and failure. For this promise to offer true comfort and power, we must define what “good” actually means. Most people interpret good as outcomes they desire. Healing is good, reconciliation is good, success is good. But Scripture defines good not by human preference but by God’s will and His image.
Romans 8:29 explains it clearly. Those whom God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. This verse clarifies the meaning of good. Paul says the purpose of God working all things together is to conform us to the likeness of Jesus Christ. In other words, the events of our lives are used to shape us into Christlikeness. Good is not about receiving what we want but becoming who He is. Scripture calls this glory and sanctification.
God’s good always points toward eternal purpose. People often define good by present comfort or happiness, but God defines good in terms of eternity. This is not emotional relief or mental peace but a fundamental transformation of our being. Even suffering, trials, and failure are used in this process. Not being healed may still be used by God to deepen trust in Him. A relationship may not be restored, but the pain may teach forgiveness and the essence of love. Humans judge by outcomes. God judges by image. The more we resemble Christ, the more truly good our lives become.
Good is not blind positivity. In Scripture, good always aligns with God’s will. In Genesis, when God saw that creation was “good,” it meant it fully reflected His intention. When Jesus was called the Good Shepherd, it did not mean moral perfection alone. It meant He perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will. The Bible defines good not by ethics or emotion but by how closely something aligns with God’s redemptive purpose. Therefore, the good in Romans 8:28 is not about ease or success. It is about alignment with the direction of God’s will.
But believers cannot always know what that good is. Paul confessed that we now see as through a dim mirror. God’s good may be happening in situations that feel painful and confusing. It may not make sense now. But Scripture declares that God is good and His goodness never changes. So even when we do not understand the process, we hold on to the One who does. Faith is the power to trust what will one day be revealed as good, even when we do not see it yet. That kind of faith is not human optimism but the certainty given by the Spirit.
God’s good is also communal. Paul spoke not just to individuals but to the people of God. What happens in the church also unfolds within His greater purpose. Even division or wounds within the body of Christ can be turned into redemption. Not because those things are good in themselves, but because they awaken deeper repentance and lead to greater gospel clarity. God is not building perfect communities instantly. He is forming holy people through fire. That whole process is part of how He works His good.
The most powerful example is the cross of Jesus Christ. To human eyes, the crucifixion looked like the ultimate failure. An innocent man condemned and killed. But through that suffering, salvation began. The greatest pain became the foundation of the greatest good. This is how God works. He redeems through what we reject. That means all suffering and failure in the believer’s life must be interpreted beneath the cross. God actively uses every trial to accomplish His good.
“All things work together for good” is not just comfort. It is a declaration of divine sovereignty. It is both a promise that sustains us in suffering and a caution not to interpret life too quickly. This truth invites believers to trust even when nothing makes sense. That trust is not fantasy. It is faith built on the redemptive history of the cross. God is good, and His good is not our ambition but His image. He is still using everything to shape that image in us. And that truth is why we keep living with hope.
Maeil Scripture Journal | Today’s World, A View Through the Word
