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.

Verse 27 Read Chapter 8 Verse 29

Ambrosiaster

AD 400

It is not that God, knowing the intention of their heart and their ignorance, gives them the opposite of what they ask for. Rather he teaches them what ought to be given to people who love God. This is what the Lord says in the Gospel: “For your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him.” Those who are called according to the promise are those whom God knew would believe in the future. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.

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Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

There is, in the foreknowledge of God, a predetermined limit and number of saints who love God as he has given them to do through the Holy Spirit poured forth in their hearts, and for them everything works together for good.

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

"For if God foreknew those who are called, according to His purpose, to be conformed to the image of His Son "for whose sake, according to the blessed apostle, He has appointed "Him to be the first-born among many brethren"

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Cyril of Alexandria

AD 444

To be called according to God’s purpose is to be called according to the will. But is this the will of the one who calls or the will of those who are called? Naturally, every impulse which leads to righteousness comes from God the Father. Christ himself once said: “No one can come to me unless the Father draws him.” Nevertheless it is not wrong to say that some are called according to God’s purpose and according to their own intentions as well. .

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George Leo Haydock

AD 1849

To them that love God, all things work together unto good. All trials, temptations, afflictions, must be taken as coming from the hand of God, who ordains or permits them for the greater good of his elect. For the good of those, who, according to his purpose are called the saints. Literally, according to purpose: but it seems certain that to translate his purpose, is only to give the literal sense, if we compare this place with other texts, both in the Greek and Latin, where the same words signify according to God's good will, or his eternal decree, and not according to the purpose, or will of men, as some expound it. (Witham)

1 min5/10

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Jerome

AD 420

When Job lost all his wealth, when he lost his sons, everything seemed to militate against him, but since he loved the Lord, the evils that befell him worked together for his good. The vermin of his body were preparing for him the crown of heaven. Before the time he is tempted, God has never spoken to him; after he is tempted, however, God comes to him and speaks familiarly with him, as a friend with his friend. Let calamity strike, let every kind of disaster fall, as long as after the catastrophe Christ comes.

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

When Paul speaks of “all things” he mentions even the things that seem painful. For if tribulation, or poverty, or imprisonment, or famines, or deaths or anything else should come upon us, God can change them into the opposite. For this is one instance of his ineffable power, that he can make painful things appear light to us and turn them into things which can be helpful. Paul talks about being called “according to his purpose” in order to show that the calling itself is not enough…. The calling was not forced on anyone, nor was it compulsory. Everyone was called, but not everyone obeyed the call.

1 min7/10

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

Even opposition and disappointment are turned into good, which is exactly what happened with this remarkable man, the apostle Paul.

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

When Paul speaks of “all things” he mentions even the things that seem painful. For if tribulation, or poverty, or imprisonment, or famines, or deaths or anything else should come upon us, God can change them into the opposite. For this is one instance of his ineffable power, that he can make painful things appear light to usand turn them into things which can be helpful. Paul talks about being called “according to his purpose” in order to show that the calling itself is not enough…. The calling was not forced on anyone, nor was it compulsory. Everyone was called, but not everyone obeyed the call.

1 min9/10

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Thomas Aquinas

AD 1274

Having shown that the Holy Spirit helps us in the weaknesses of the present life in regard to fulfilling our desires [n. 686], the Apostle now shows how he helps us in relation to external events by directing them to our good. First, he states his proposition; secondly, he proves it [v. 29; n. 701]; thirdly, he draws a conclusion [v. 35; n. 721]. 696. In regard to the first there are two things to consider [cf. n. 699]. First, the greatness of the benefit conferred on us by the Holy Spirit, namely, that all things work together for good. To realize this we should consider that whatever happens in the world, even if it be evil, accrues to the good of the universe; because, as Augustine says in Enchiridion: "God is so good that he would permit no evil, unless he were powerful enough to draw some good out of any evil." However, the evil does not always accrue to the good of that in which it is. Thus, the death of one animal accrues to the good of the universe, inasmuch as by the destructi... Read More

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