Does Romans 8:28 mean that the ends justify means?

[Robert_Sock]

Romans 8:28
28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

If God can use evil to bring about good, it seems that the ends do indeed justify a means which is evil.

 

[dmar198]

Romans 8:28
28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

If God can use evil to bring about good, it seems that the ends do indeed justify a means which is evil.

Your conclusion doesn’t follow from the verse. The phrase “the ends justifies the means” implies that one can do evil in order that good may come. That’s not what God is doing in this verse. In this verse He permits people to do evil, not just to bring a greater good out of those evil actions, but also to preserve our freedom. One may never do evil, but if life hands you lemons, it’s not evil to make lemonade.

Also, the same book of Romans also says directly that the ends do not justify the means: “why not do evil that good may come? – as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.” Romans 3:8

 

[Robbinson]

Romans 8:28
28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

If God can use evil to bring about good, it seems that the ends do indeed justify a means which is evil.

That is an interesting question/thought - that would be true if God caused evil to effect a good. But God does not cause evil., rather evil is a product of our fallen condition (arising from original sin). Nevertheless, God finds away even for the trial and tribulation we often face (as a result of sin - an exercise of mankind’s free will and sickness (a product of our fallen world which is a product of Adam’s first sin) to work for the God of those who love him.

That is how loving God is - Thank the Lord for such Grace

Blessings,

Brian