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.

Cross-reference

Romans 8:30 Parallel

Romans 8:30 expands the 'called according to his purpose' into predestination, calling, justification, glorification—showing how God works all for good.

Romans 8:32 Parallel

Romans 8:32 argues that if God gave His Son for us, He will certainly work all things for our good — the ultimate guarantee.

Romans 5:3 Related theme

In Romans 5:3, suffering produces perseverance — a specific good God works through trials for those who love Him.

Romans 5:4 Related theme

In Romans 5:4, perseverance produces character and hope — part of the chain of good outcomes from suffering.

Romans 9:11 Parallel

Romans 9:11 clarifies that God's purpose in calling is based on His choice, not works—directly explaining the 'purpose' in Romans 8:28.

Romans 1:6 Parallel

Romans 1:6 identifies the called as those belonging to Jesus Christ, specifying the identity of the called in Romans 8:28.

Romans 5:5 Parallel

Romans 5:5 grounds this confidence: God's love poured into our hearts assures us that all things work for good.

Romans 9:23 Parallel

Romans 9:23 reveals God's goal: to show His glory through vessels of mercy prepared for glory—the ultimate 'good' worked in Romans 8:28.

Romans 9:24 Parallel

Romans 9:24 states that God called both Jews and Gentiles, expanding the scope of 'the called' in Romans 8:28 to all believers.

Romans 11:7 Parallel

In Romans 11:7, only the elect obtain what they sought — showing that God's purpose works for good specifically for the called, not all.

Romans 1:7 Parallel

Romans 1:7 describes the called as saints and loved by God, adding holiness to the calling theme in Romans 8:28.

Mark 12:30 Allusion

Mark 12:30 quotes the greatest commandment: loving God wholeheartedly—the love required for this promise.

Revelation 3:19 Related theme

Revelation 3:19 says those loved are rebuked and disciplined, tying divine correction to love and ultimate good.

Acts 13:48 Parallel

In Acts 13:48, God's appointment for eternal life directly parallels the 'called according to his purpose' here — both emphasize divine sovereignty in salvation.

1 Corinthians 2:9 describes the unseen blessings God has prepared for those who love Him—parallel to 'all things work for good'.

In 2 Corinthians 4:15-17, Paul echoes that light affliction works an eternal glory, showing how suffering leads to good.

Ephesians 3:11 explicitly mentions God's 'eternal purpose' accomplished in Christ — a direct parallel to the purpose in Romans 8:28.

Philippians 1:19-23 shows Paul's imprisonment advancing the gospel and his desire for Christ, a direct example of all things working for good.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 states God appointed believers for salvation, not wrath — directly echoing the 'called according to his purpose' for good.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 describes God's choice of believers for salvation — aligning with the calling and purpose in Romans 8:28.

2 Thessalonians 2:14 connects calling through the gospel to sharing Christ's glory — a direct parallel to the purpose-driven calling in Romans 8:28.

Hebrews 12:6-12 calls discipline a sign of love producing righteousness, reinforcing that hardship works for our good.

James 1:3 Parallel

James 1:3 states that testing of faith produces perseverance, a specific good outcome from trials.

James 1:4 Parallel

James 1:4 continues the thought that perseverance leads to maturity, showing the complete good work of trials.

1 Peter 1:7 Parallel

1 Peter 1:7 says tested faith results in praise and glory at Christ's appearing, a clear good from suffering.

1 Peter 5:10 speaks of God's calling to eternal glory in Christ — directly parallel to the called-according-to-purpose theme in Romans 8:28.

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph declares God turned intended evil into good — the classic example of Romans 8:28 in action.

Deuteronomy 6:5 defines loving God with total devotion—the very love that qualifies for the promise here.

Deuteronomy 8:2 Related theme

In Deuteronomy 8:2, God humbled Israel to test their hearts — a purposeful good through hardship.

Deuteronomy 8:3 Related theme

In Deuteronomy 8:3, God fed Israel with manna to teach dependence on His word — a good purpose in hunger.

In Deuteronomy 8:16, God gave manna to humble and test, so it might go well — explicit good outcome from trial.

In Isaiah 14:27, God's purpose cannot be thwarted — directly undergirding the certainty that His plan works for good for the called in Romans 8:28.

Jacob laments 'all these things are against me' — directly opposing Romans' claim that God works all for good. A stark contrast of perspective.

2 Timothy 1:9 Related theme

2 Timothy 1:9 expands on that calling: it's according to God's own purpose and grace, not our works — the same divine initiative.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 affirms election by God — the basis for 'called according to His purpose'.

Philippians 1:12 gives a concrete case: Paul's imprisonment advanced the gospel, illustrating 'all things work for good'.

Philippians 1:6 assures that God who began a good work will complete it — parallel to 'all things work together for good'.

Ephesians 1:4 reveals God's eternal purpose in choosing us, directly echoing 'called according to His purpose'.

Ezra 8:22 Parallel

Ezra 8:22 directly states that God's hand is for good on all who seek him — a nearly identical promise to Romans 8:28.

1 Corinthians 1:9 reveals that the called are called into fellowship with Christ — the ultimate good for which God works all things.

Jeremiah 32:40 Related theme

In Jeremiah 32:40, God's covenant to never stop doing good to His people grounds the promise that all things work for good.

John 16:7 Parallel

In John 16:7, Jesus says his departure is for their good, bringing the Holy Spirit — an example of God working all things for good.

Psalm 25:10 Parallel

Psalm 25:10 says all the Lord's ways are loving toward those who keep his covenant — closely matching the promise in Romans 8:28.

In Psalm 145:20, God watches over all who love Him — the same group as in Romans 8:28 — assuring that He preserves them through every circumstance.

Psalm 91:14 Parallel

Psalm 91:14 promises rescue and protection because he loves me — directly paralleling Romans 8:28's condition and outcome.

Psalm 138:8 Parallel

In Psalm 138:8, the LORD's promise to fulfill His purpose for His servant reinforces that God sovereignly works all things for good for those He calls.

John 15:2 Parallel

John 15:2 shows that God prunes fruitful branches to increase fruitfulness — a specific way He works all things for the good of those called.

Psalm 97:10 Parallel

Psalm 97:10 states that the Lord guards those who love him and delivers them — a clear parallel to Romans 8:28.

Ephesians 1:10 shows the ultimate goal of God's purpose — uniting all things in Christ — giving cosmic scope to the 'good' in Romans 8:28.

Exodus 1:12 Parallel

Oppression leads to multiplication in Exodus — a clear example of God turning affliction into blessing, echoing Romans' theme.

God circumcises hearts to enable love — precursor to Romans' 'those who love God', showing God's work in creating lovers of Him.

Ephesians 1:9 reveals the mystery of God's will — it expands on the 'purpose' mentioned here, showing it centers on Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 1:6, Paul shows that afflictions work for others' consolation — a specific example of 'all things work for good'.

2 Peter 1:3 Related theme

2 Peter 1:3 grounds the calling in God's own glory and goodness — the divine resources that ensure the promise of Romans 8:28.

2 Peter 1:10 Related theme

2 Peter 1:10 urges confirming your calling and election, which echoes the assurance that those called according to God's purpose have His work for good.

1 John 4:19 Parallel

In 1 John 4:19, the source of our love for God is revealed: He first loved us. This grounds the condition of loving God in Romans 8:28.

1 Peter 3:9 Related theme

1 Peter 3:9 shows we are called to bless others — aligning with God's purpose of working all things for good.

In Proverbs 12:21, no harm befalls the righteous — echoing that God prevents ultimate harm, though Romans adds that even hardships work for good.

1 Peter 1:15 Related theme

1 Peter 1:15 reveals the purpose of that calling: holiness — God works all things to conform us to his holiness.

James 2:5 Parallel

James 2:5 says God chose the poor to be heirs of the kingdom promised to those who love Him—same promised group.

James 1:12 Parallel

James 1:12 promises the crown of life to those who love Him, showing endurance yields blessing for the same group.

Exodus 20:6 Allusion

Exodus 20:6 shows the OT precedent: God shows mercy to those who love Him, the same condition as here.

1 John 5:2 Parallel

1 John 5:2 defines loving God as obeying His commandments, adding a practical test for those who love God in Romans 8:28.

1 John 5:3 Parallel

1 John 5:3 equates love for God with keeping His commandments, emphasizing obedience is not burdensome—deepening the call in Romans 8:28.

Hebrews 3:1 Related theme

Hebrews 3:1 describes believers as sharing in a heavenly calling — the same calling for which God works all things.

2 Timothy 2:19 affirms God knows those who are His — a foundational truth behind the confidence that all things work for good for the called.

1 Timothy 6:12 Related theme

1 Timothy 6:12 urges taking hold of eternal life, the very calling that Romans 8:28 says God works all things toward.

In 1 Corinthians 1:24, Christ is God's power and wisdom to the called — the same group for whom God works all things for good.

1 Corinthians 3:21 says 'all things are yours' — echoing that God works all things for the good of believers who belong to Christ.

1 Corinthians 8:3 says whoever loves God is known by God — this describes those who love Him and for whom all things work for good.

Galatians 1:15 shows God's calling from birth for Paul — a specific instance of the broader principle of being called according to purpose.

Ephesians 1:18 prays for enlightenment to know the hope of His calling — the same calling as in Romans 8:28.

Ephesians 4:1 urges walking worthy of the calling — the calling from Romans 8:28 that defines our life.

Philippians 3:14 speaks of the upward call of God — the same calling that is central to Romans 8:28.

John 17:6 Parallel

John 17:6 identifies those given to Christ by the Father — the very ones called according to His purpose in Romans 8:28.

Psalm 103:17 Related theme

Psalm 103:17 speaks of the Lord's love from everlasting to those who fear him — a parallel theme of God's faithful love to the devout.

Psalm 121:7–8 Related theme

Psalm 121:7-8 promises the Lord will keep you from all harm — a general protection promise that parallels the good God works, though without the condition.

Deuteronomy 5:10 Related theme

God shows love to those who love Him — same condition as Romans' 'those who love God'. General parallel on covenant love.

Judges 5:31 Related theme

Those who love God shine like the sun — a blessing on lovers of God, parallel to Romans' promise of good for them.

Proverbs 19:23 Related theme

In Proverbs 19:23, fearing the LORD brings safety and satisfaction — a similar promise of security for the faithful, though from a different angle.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Related theme

Similar to Deut 5:10 — God keeps covenant of love with those who love Him. Parallel on the condition for divine favor.

Psalm 69:36 Related theme

Psalm 69:36 promises inheritance to those who love God's name, a similar blessing for the same group.

Nehemiah 1:5 echoes God's covenant mercy toward those who love Him, reinforcing the condition here.

Psalm 5:11 Related theme

Psalm 5:11 declares that those who love God's name will rejoice under his protection — echoing the blessing for those who love God in Romans 8:28.