In this series, we are looking at some common misquotes of Scripture and setting the record straight. Today’s misquote comes in two forms: “In all things, God works for good” OR “All things work for good.” These are both misquotes of Romans 8:28:

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

“In all things, God works for good.” This first misquote is marred by many problems. First, it makes it sound as if God is working for some abstract or subjective notion of “good,” when the actual verse makes it clear that God causes everything to work together for the good of His people. Since “good” is so often used subjectively, a problem with this misquote is that two people with opposing causes could both claim that their cause is good and that God is working for that good. This verse is not about a subjective good, but a specific objective good—the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

“All things work for good.” This misquote is even worse because it removes God completely. The problem is, things don’t work—it’s a logical fallacy. What things? How do things work? Things are inanimate and usually abstract and thus cannot work at all, let alone for a moral ideal. This misquote creates more questions, mysteries, and problems than anything else.

The first thing to note from Romans 8:28, as we mentioned earlier, is that God causes, meaning He is active and in control. It is not things that work together for good, but God causing things to work. Second, Paul states that God causes, not some things, not a few things, but everything, so no matter the thing—a flat tire in the morning, a pink slip in the afternoon, or a devastating diagnosis in the evening—God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God. Thirdly, the verse is clear that this is for a specific people. God is causing everything to work together, not for a general “good” but for the good of a specific people: those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Don’t be swayed or misguided by these common misquotes of Scripture. God is at work, causing all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We can take heart knowing that no matter what comes our way, our God is working in it and through it.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed