Romans 8:28 Quotes
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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. 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. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30, KJV)
Context
This verse is part of one of Paul's most famous letters to a group of Christians, who were living in Rome around 55 CE. (That's about 20 years after Jesus died and rose again.) It seems that since Jesus went to hang with his Father in Heaven, Christians have just not been able to get along. There's a lot of arguing, squabbling, and general disputing going on.
Paul spends a bunch of time in his letter to Romans trying to address these fights and worries, but here he gets a little more hopeful. Sure, the early Christians are going through a rough spot right now, but things are gonna get better. After all, that's what God has promised them, right? And everyone knows God never ever breaks his promises.
Paul reminds the Romans that God chose the first Christians before they were even born, so he's totally gonna save them. God knew that they would become like Jesus, and that their lives would be awesome.
Well, their lives would be awesome eventually. At this point, things are kind of grim.
Where you've heard it
Since this is a pretty positive and hopeful verse, you'll usually see it in all kinds of happy places—like church newsletters, t-shirts, and greeting cards. What can we say? Paul loved bringing the happy.
Additional Notable References:
- Rick Warren's book, The Purpose-Driven Life, is all about God's purpose for our lives and how anyone who follows that purpose is gonna be a-okay. Just like Romans 8:28!
- The song "Your Love Never Fails" from the aptly named band Jesus Culture ends with the repeated line "You make all things work together for my good." Awww!
- This verse starts a whole section on the idea of "predestination" that Paul expands on in Romans 9. Later, some folks, like John Calvin, thought this idea meant that God decided some people would be saved, and some people wouldn't. Hey, that doesn't sound very fair, does it?
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
This is a pretty cheerful pick me up for any believer who's feeling down. What's pretentious about that?