Rom8v28 doing Good

Romans 8:28 KJV 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.

Rom 8:28 ERV We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan.

Romans 8:28 jvb.1 And we [well] know that [in every activity producing] good [God works with] them that love God, those who are the called according to his purpose.

_ This post is a continuation and amplification of earlier remarks at: http://j.mp/2Rom8_28GodAids
or http://intwocities.blogspot.com/2015/06/rom8v28-god-assists.html

_ My .1 translation above is a modification of my translation in the earlier post.

_ [well] - According to Thayer, the sense of the Greek verb in this verse is “it is well known or acknowledged among us”. He cites examples of Paul and other using the verb in this and other similar constructions to commend “something well known” for “thoughtful consideration”.

_ [in every activity producing] good – When “all things” is taken as accusative and the object of the verb “work with” rather than the traditional nominative case and verb subject, “for good” modifies the object of the verb rather than the verb.

_ [God works with] – The reasons for making “God” the subject of the verb rather than “all things” has been given briefly in the prior post linked above. With “God” as the subject, the general sense is, as Gingrich tells us “in everything God helps (or works for or with) those who love God to obtain what is good.” Friberg's entry for the verb is also of value, “of persons work (together) with, help, cooperate (with) (1Co 16.16); (2) of things join together, unite with (Jam 2.22); in Rom 8.28 manuscripts vary between pa,nta (all) and o` qeo,j (God) as the subject; a third possible subject is pneu/ma (Spirit) in 8.27 ”. The discussion below outlines some of the benefits in terms of consistency with various levels of context and the enhancement of our understanding of the walk of the believer.

Rom 8:16 KJV The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

_ There is an interesting parallel between verses 16 and 28. The Holy Spirit assists the believer's begotten-again spirit in bearing witness to the inner man. God assists the believer in is doing true spiritual good.

Eph 2:10 KJV For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

_ It seems to me that the times when God works with the believer in producing true good is during his walking in a pre-ordained good work.

1Pe 5:7 KJV Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

_ God,s providential care for the believer is sure during all the varieties of human experience, including the worst of offenses. But the special help given during a pre-ordained good work is something else and has eternal value.

Mat 6:20 KJV But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

2Co 4:17 LITV (Jay Green's literal version) For the lightness of our present affliction works out for us an eternal weight of glory, surpassing moment by surpassing moment;

_ When the believer is involved in a truly good work, he is actively (and necessarily) helped in this work by God. Treasure, an eternal weight of glory, is being reserved in heaven. And he is spiritually aware of, and encouraged by this. It is the momentary lightness of the affliction accompanying each good work that encourages. The affliction comes from acting contrary to the world, the flesh, and the devil. It reminds us of our weakness and dependence upon God. The active spiritual assistance of God makes the affliction accompanying a good work light and momentary. This provides assurance and peace and joy.

2Co 1:3-5 Darby Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassions, and God of all encouragement; (4) who encourages us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to encourage those who are in any tribulation whatever, through the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged of God. (5) Because, even as the sufferings of the Christ abound towards us, so through the Christ does our encouragement also abound.

_ When the encouragement overwhelms the pain of the tribulation, the momentary lightness of the affliction affirms a truly good work and there is joy.

I2C 150625aa Rom8v28 doing Good | I2C | 150625 1355 et |