John Chrysostom

Here he seems to me to have mooted this whole topic with a view to those who were in danger; or, rather, not this only, but also what was said a little before this. For the words, "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us;" and those, that "the whole creation groaneth;" and the saying, that "we are saved by hope;" and the phrase, "we with patience wait for;" and that, "we know not what we should pray for as we ought;" are all of them said to these. …

Homily on Romans 15 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

What was said before, namely: "the creation was subjected to vanity" (Rom. 8:20), also: "shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption" (Rom. 8:21), and further: "we do not know what we should pray for" (Rom. 8:26) — all of this, as we have noted, served as encouragement for those being persecuted in Rome. But what is now added is clearest of all. To those who love God, he says, all things, even those that seem unpleasant and grievous, work together for good. …

Commentary on Romans ↗

Clement of Alexandria

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to the purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren. And whom He did predestinate, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified.

The Stromata Book 4 ↗

Augustine of Hippo

There is, in the foreknowledge of God, a predetermined limit and number of saints who love God as he has given them to do through the Holy Spirit poured forth in their hearts, and for them everything works together for good.

Letter 186 ↗

Jerome

"But to those who love God all things work together for good." Job, the holy man, was tempted: he lost his sons and daughters, his house collapsed, he lost everything, he lost all things suddenly — neither father nor master; for nothing sound remained to him in his body, except only his tongue with which he might blaspheme. See the tempter, the devil. "From the sole," he says, "of his foot to the crown of his head he struck him with a most grievous wound" — that is, with elephantiasis. …

Homily 6, on Psalm 66 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Having shown that the Holy Spirit helps us in the weaknesses of the present life in regard to fulfilling our desires, the Apostle now shows how he helps us in relation to external events by directing them to our good. First, he states his proposition; second, he proves it, at "for whom he foreknew"; third, he draws a conclusion, at "who then will separate us" (Rom 8:35). In regard to the first there are two things to consider. …

Commentary on Romans ↗