Romans 8:28

And we knew, &c. Here appears a fresh assurance of safety. We have seen (1) the certainty of the son-ship of the believer; (2) the fact that his sorrows are only the prelude of glory; (3) the Divine assistance afforded him by the Holy Spirit, especially in prayer. Now, before the final appeal, we have an express statement of the truth that the children of God are the objects on His part of an Eternal Purpose, which must issue in their final blessedness, and must thus turn "all things" at last to good for them. This is stated as a confessed certainty, well known in the Church.

all things In the amplest sense. See Romans 8:38-39 for illustration. No doubt St Paul has specially in view the sufferingsof the saints, which would often tempt them to say "these things are against me." But peace and rest, on earth, are perils also; and even such trials therefore need a similar assurance. St Chrysostom's dying words were, "Glory be to God for all things."

work together As means in the great Worker's hand. It is instructive to note this expression in a passage where also the Divine Decrees are in view. The eternal Will takes place not arbitrarily, but through means; and those means are immensely various, and mutually adjusted by supreme Wisdom only.

for good Chiefly, no doubt, the finalGood is meant, the fruition of God in eternal Glory. But all true good by the way is included, as part of the path thither.

that love God As His children; in whose hearts His love has been "outpoured by the Holy Ghost" (ch. Romans 5:5). Observe that this note of saintship stands firstin this memorable passage; not eternal election, but that conscious love to God in Christ which is its sure fruit, and without which no speculation of mysteries brings the soul near to Him. It is the True God alone who makes this His unalterable demand; "Thou shalt love me."

to them who are the called Identical with "them that love Him." See on Romans 1:6, for the profound meaning of "the call." 1 Corinthians 1:24; 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 is a clear illustration, in contrast with Matthew 20:16; Matthew 22:14. In the Gospels the word "call" refers to outward hearing; in the Epistles to inward reception, due to a special and sovereign influence from above. See too Revelation 17:14.

according to his purpose Same word as Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9. See especially the last passage and Ephesians 1:11, for the sense in which St Paul uses the word here. It is the intention of "Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His will;" and it is absolute and sovereign, in the sense not of arbitrary caprice, (God forbid,) but in that of its being uncaused by anything external to Himself. The gift of life is "notaccording to our works, but according to His own purpose." His "good pleasure" was, "before the world began," "purposed in Himself." (2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 1:11.) In the next verses, St Paul explains his meaning further. (The word "His" is not in the Gr., but is certainly right in translation.)