How should we understand the expression “all things” in Romans 8.28?
Whilst in Romans 8.26 we are reminded that “we know not what we should pray for as we ought”, Paul now writes “we know”(v 28), introducing a statement of truth known by revelation; “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Are the “all things” everyday experiences, whether good or bad? Do both favourable and adverse circumstances work together for good? Is the apostle speaking of present good or eternal good? Are those that “love God” a special class of Christians? Since “all” in Scripture is never qualified, it must refer to what is amplified in verses 29-30. It is necessary to take into account the context: “For” (v 29) means ‘because’. Paul is clearly stating here those things that work together for our good. Thus, the “all things” are not those mentioned in verses 38-39, that is, the circumstances of life, whether they be good or bad.
Five ‘things’ are stated: 1) “Whom he did foreknow” - God’s foreknowledge is not mere prescience (a knowing before); it is a foreknowledge of persons who are the objects for His blessing. 2) “He also did predestinate” – God’s predestination; to predestinate is to mark out beforehand. Those foreknown have been marked out by God to be like His Son. His foreknowledge and predestination took place in the past. 3) “Them he also called” – God’s calling; this is not the universal call of the Gospel, but God’s effectual call. Those who love God are the same as those “whom he called”; this confirms that the expression “them that love God” is descriptive of all believers. 4) “Them he also justified”, that is, declared righteous, cleared of every charge of guilt. In terms of God’s purpose, the called are justified. Calling and justification take place in time. 5) “Them he also glorified”. Although the glorifying is yet future, it is stated as an accomplished fact. However, in glorification there is the anticipation of all that lies before. Thus, the series of acts of divine grace stretches from the eternity of the past to the eternity of the future, if we may speak in such terms.
The “all things” are therefore God’s foreknowledge, His predestination, His calling, His justification and His glorifying. They work together for our eternal good, since nothing can thwart God’s purpose of good for us.
David E West
When the Lord healed the blind man at Bethsaida (Mk 8.22-26), why did it happen in two stages?
Mark in his Gospel records for us two most interesting miracles – the miracle performed on the deaf mute (7.31-37), and the miracle on the blind man. In both cases the Lord Jesus used peculiar methods of healing which we find nowhere else mentioned in the records of His ministry. These two miracles are very fittingly found only in Mark’s Gospel, and present to us the lovely character of the true Servant of God. Our Lord sought not the praise of men, so we read that He took the deaf mute aside from the multitude, and He led the blind man out of the town. Does this not show the humility and love of the Saviour? As with the miracle performed on the deaf man, there are a number of interesting details.
Let us focus on why the man in chapter 8 was healed in two stages. In the first stage we have partial sight. In the second stage there was complete sight. We surely know that a word from the Lord, or a touch from His hand, would have easily been enough to heal the man in a moment. There must therefore be some special meaning in this miracle. We believe the spiritual experience of believers is illustrated here. The gradual nature of the cure suggests the Lord’s spiritual dealings with us. Very often the believer does not see clearly, and the vision is blurred. The reason this is so is because we are too much taken up with the pride, greatness and achievements of men. Trees in Scripture are sometimes used as symbols of great persons (see Dan 4.10-12). Thus, the Lord asked the man if he saw ought. He looked up, and said “I see men as trees, walking.” Very often, like the blind man, we need a second touch from the Lord. In the second stage of the healing the man saw clearly. It would be good to ask ourselves the question, do I see clearly?
John J Stubbs
