When life feels chaotic, or is falling apart, does the phrase “All things work together for good” make you feel better? Or do you share my reaction and it makes your skin crawl?
In this series, we’re exploring Bible verses often misused in ways that harm mental health. Romans 8:28 is one of those verses, frequently quoted to suggest everything will turn out fine.
But this isn’t what Romans 8:28 says.
The Misinterpretation
The phrase “All things work together for good,” comes from Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).
It’s often paired with “Everything happens for a reason,” spoken with good intentions but missing the mark. Many translations, like the NIV, place “all things working out for good” before “loving God,” which is where a lot of the misinterpretation comes from.
While the ancient Greek word order emphasizes loving God first, the bigger issue I want to address is how people interpret – or misinterpret – this verse.
The True Meaning
In this translation, among others, it says “God works for the good of those who love him.” But, as N.T. Wright points out, it misses a key point.1 The original Greek συνεργεῖ (sunergei) means to work together.2
To emphasize this point, the NLT says, “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.” The emphasis of working together explains that when we love God, we work together with Him according to His purpose.
This might seem like I’m trying to split hairs in order to make something say what I want it to mean, but the emphasis of working together with God according to His purpose goes along with the rest of Paul’s letter to the Romans.3
So let’s look at what this is actually saying. As I mentioned, this verse is only part of Paul’s letter to the Romans. In this section, Paul continues his explanation that humanity needs an intercessor because, when we are left to our own, our decisions cause our own downfall.
Paul says in verse 22, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (NIV). We eagerly await God’s restoration, in which we are called to be a part of. And to love God and love our neighbor.
It is our purpose – to live to fulfill the will of God. Not to tear each other down for our own gains, as has been done since the beginning of sin. It is in this purpose that “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Or more accurately stated, “we know that to all those loving God, all things work together for good.”
This “good” is God’s redemptive plan, not our instant happiness.
God works through our pain, our suffering, our struggles, our afflictions, for His eternal purpose. Although He doesn’t desire for these things to happen, but when they do, He can still use it for good.
The Mental Health Impact
When someone struggles, whether it’s a long-term condition such as depression, or something recent like a loved-one passing away, telling them “God works all things for the good of those who love him,” can be detrimental. Just as telling them, “Everything happens for a reason.”
What are people left to think? That God is the source of the evil in their lives? That God has caused their struggles? Their afflictions? Their suffering? If life does not appear to be working out for good, does that mean you are not being called according to God’s purpose?
Have you ever had these thoughts? You are not alone.4
Correcting The Misconception
When we love God, and are called according to His purpose, He will allow his purpose to work through us for His good.5
But His purpose might not look the best to me through my current lens. This is because I don’t have the full perspective. My perspective is limited only to what I want to see in my current state of mind.
It’s when I look past my current struggles and focus on others in a way to reveal God’s kingdom that I begin to understand a purpose beyond my current suffering.
It isn’t a coincidence that another well-known verse comes just before this. In verse 18, Paul says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (NIV).
Which brings me to this point – it is very necessary to look at the full context of a passage rather than pluck out a single verse. If there is a verse that causes you to stumble, it’s imperative to look into the true meaning rather than look at the surface-level translation of our current culture.
There Is Still Hope For Us
I have dealt with physical and mental pain that won’t go away. This verse does not promise that God will ease that pain because of my love for Him. It says that He will use that pain (my current sufferings, struggles, afflictions) for good.
As much as I want to know what that “good” looks like, that’s what faith is about. I must continue to press on despite my struggles, and trust in God that the good that comes from it is for His purpose, and for His kingdom. And that purpose includes others who struggle as well as those who don’t. That includes you.
Find More Resources
There are many resources to help when struggling with Bible interpretations (or misinterpretations). One that I have found to be very helpful is The Bible Project. But as always, you can reach out to me with any questions.
If you struggle with a mental health condition and need more resources, please feel free to contact me, or check out the links below.
References
1. Wright, N. (2023, January 9). Does God Work For Us or With Us? | Romans 8:28 | N.T. Wright Online. YouTube. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih_gQFgYrQA
2. Bible Hub. (n.d.). Greek: Sunergei (4903). Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://biblehub.com/greek/4903.htm
3. Book of Romans Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 2). (n.d.). The Bible Project. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://bibleproject.com/videos/romans-5-16
4. The Daily Grace Co. (2024, October 8). The wrong way to read Romans 8:28. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://thedailygraceco.com/blogs/the-daily-grace-blog/the-wrong-way-to-read-romans-828
5. Thielman, F. S. (2019, March 13). The meaning of Romans 8:28: “God works for the good of those who love…. Zondervan Academic. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/the-meaning-of-romans-828-god-works-for-the-good-of-those-who-love-him