How many times do people say only part of Romans 8:28 and that out of context?
Scripture must always be interpreted in context and in its entirety. The first mistake with this misunderstood, misused, and misinterpreted quote is that it only uses part of the verse. Here is the whole thing:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
There are a couple of caveats even just with reading the whole sentence: for those who love God and for those called to God’s purpose. That alone is sufficient to discredit the faulty misinterpretation that no matter how hard things are God will make it good. Sometimes bad things happen because we live in a fallen world. Evil is a reality. Illness can be devastating. Tragedy strikes without regard to a person’s faith (or lack thereof.)
The greater context offers illumination. Paul is writing about future glory for believers, not present circumstances. The section of this letter immediately preceding this verse is about suffering, intense suffering. And not only personal suffering, but the suffering of all of creation waiting to be restored to its original state. Paul wrote, “We wait eagerly for… redemption of our bodies, for in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all” (Romans 8:23-24). The good God has for those who love him and are called according to his purpose is not necessarily this side of eternity, but it is a promise for future glory.
Picking and choosing parts of Scripture to make pithy feel-good statements is never a good idea. The Bible must be interpreted in its entirety and in context.