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God Works in All Things
Romans 8:28–34 teaches strong confidence for those who love God. This confidence is tied to God’s purpose, the shaping of believers into the likeness of his Son, and the work of Christ for them.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage moves from a statement about God working for good to a sequence of God’s actions, then to several questions. The focus stays on what God has done and is doing for those called according to his purpose and justified by him.
Romans 8:28–34Main takeaway
This passage teaches that confidence rests on God’s purpose, God’s justifying action, and Christ’s death, resurrection and intercession.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01God works for good according to his purposeThe passage opens with a statement of assurance: all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
Explanation
The passage opens with a statement of assurance: all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. The verse ties this good to God’s purpose. It does not define the good here as ease or comfort.
02God’s purpose includes likeness to his SonThe next verses explain that purpose further. Those God foreknew were predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Explanation
The next verses explain that purpose further. Those God foreknew were predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. The goal is likeness to the Son, who is called the firstborn among many brothers. The sequence continues: predestined, called, justified and glorified.
03These truths lead to confident questionsThe passage then asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This is a question of confidence based on what has just been said.
Explanation
The passage then asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This is a question of confidence based on what has just been said. Verse 32 supports that confidence by saying God did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.
04God justifies, and Christ intercedesThe final questions deal with charge and condemnation. No charge can finally stand against God’s chosen ones because God justifies.
Explanation
The final questions deal with charge and condemnation. No charge can finally stand against God’s chosen ones because God justifies. Christ died, was raised, is at the right hand of God, and makes intercession for us. The passage presents these truths as the answer to condemnation.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01In Romans 8:28, which people are described as the ones for whom all things work together for good?
Look for the two descriptions in the verse itself: they love God and are called according to his purpose.
02What goal does Romans 8:29 give for God’s predestining work?
Notice that the verse states the purpose in terms of being conformed to the image of his Son.
03How does Romans 8:34 answer the question, “Who is he who condemns?”
List each part of the verse: Christ died, was raised, is at God’s right hand, and makes intercession for us.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 8:28–34
28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
31What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
33Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies.
34Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.