Charles Spurgeon Commentary Romans 8:24-28

"For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? But if we hope for that which we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for it. And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for [us] with groanings which cannot be uttered; and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose." — Romans 8:24-28 (ASV)

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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.

We know that all things work together for good. That is a wonderfully positive statement, Paul. There are certain persons, nowadays, who say that we know nothing; yet the apostles constantly say, "We know this," and "We know that." These people tell us that there is a great distinction between believing and knowing—but, evidently, it is a distinction of which the inspired apostles knew nothing at all. Read the Epistles of John, and note how he continually says, "We know, we know, we know," and how frequently he adds, "We believe," as though believing and knowing were the same thing. Agnostics may declare that they know nothing, if they please; but, as for us who do know, because we believe what we are taught of God in this Book, we will speak.

He who has something to say has a right to say it; we know, and therefore we speak. Mark, brothers, how the apostle speaks here: he does not say that all things will work together for good; no, but that they do work together—they are now working for your present good.

This is not merely something which will eventually turn out right; it is all right now. We know that all things are working together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

No sooner does the apostle mention that word "purpose" than he must then launch into a long discourse upon it. He was not afraid or ashamed to speak of the purposes of God. There are some preachers who say nothing about God's purpose, or God's decree; they seem to be afraid of it, they say it is "Calvinistic doctrine."

Why, it was here, in the Scriptures, long before Calvin was born, so what right have they to call it by his name? Listen to what the apostle has to say: