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.
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