6/7/19 

Romans 8:28 - 2

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

The words “all things” are understood differently by very able commentators.  Charles Hodge writes that it refers back to 8:18 and the “suffering” referred to there.

He then explains that from 8:18 the Christian is given a view of a hostile world in which he must expect aggressive opposition with undesirable experiences.  This has a great deal to recommend it and nothing really to deny it.  Still it is only by understanding “all things” as limited to the context can this be accepted.

Then does the context make this demand?  It would seem that the paragraph beginning with 8:28 and following fits best in understanding our concern here.  This would recognize the suffering, but it would also recognize the security and blessing that accrue to the elect.  If we see the context following 8:28 as included, then “all things” would include the complex of both blessing and curse to make up the whole of the church’s experience.

As we experience both blessing and curse under the Providence of God, there is nothing that we, the Church, can experience that is not designed for our benefit and God’s glory.