Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
What About John 3:16?
From: What the Bible Says About the Doctrines of Grace.
"The word "whosoever" in John 3:16 translates from the Greek phrase "πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων" (pas ho pisteuōn).
"Let's break this down:
"1. πᾶς (pas): This is a pronoun commonly translated as "all" or "every."
"It often implies the idea of totality or completeness.
"2. ὁ (ho): This is the definite article in Greek, often translated as "the."
"It is used here to specify or define the group being referred to.
"3. πιστεύων (pisteuōn): This is the present participle form of the verb "πιστεύω" (pisteuō), meaning "to believe" or "to have faith." In the participle form, it functions as a verbal adjective and can be translated as "believing."
"When combined, "πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων" can be literally translated as "all the believing ones" or "everyone who believes."
"This phrase is not indiscriminately saying "everyone" but specifically referring to the entire group of those who are believing or who have faith.
"It is crucial to note that both Calvinists and Arminians concur on two fundamental points:
"first, that anyone who embraces the Gospel will be Saved,
"and second, that the Gospel's invitation extends to all.
"That is not where we differ. The divergence in interpretation arises from the Arminian emphasis on human ability and free will when they encounter the term "whosoever." In contrast, Calvinists, while acknowledging that the Gospel call reaches all and that individuals are accountable to respond, assert based on scriptural passages like John 3:19 that none are naturally inclined to accept the message.
"Calvinists, reading the immediate and broader context, emphasize that when the Gospel is preached indiscriminately, the rejection of its message is not due to God holding anyone back or coercion into disbelief. Rather, it is a consequence of fallen human nature, as individuals willingly and voluntarily spurn the Gospel, hostile to its Message and incapable of grasping Spiritual Truths (John 3:19, 1 Cor 1:23, 2:14, Rom. 3:10-17, 8:7).
"Therefore, although Calvinists, like Arminians, advocate for the universal proclamation of the Gospel, they maintain—guided by scriptural evidence—that no one inherently seeks the light or approaches it without the Intervention of God's Grace and Mercy.
"Arminians interpret the term "whosoever" in John 3:16 as an indication that the Gospel is not only universally accessible but also implies that some individuals possess the natural capacity and willingness to respond. They argue that while some individuals make use of 'prevenient grace', others do not.
"But why the difference? The difference in the way people respond is not Grace,
because, according to Arminians, both had prevenient grace.
"So what makes them to differ? Obviously something other than Grace that is within the soul. This viewpoint suggests that God discerns a vestige of goodwill in certain individuals, leading to their Salvation, whereas those who persist in obstinance are not saved. According to this perspective, intrinsic characteristics such as wisdom, humility, or a predisposition towards goodwill set some apart from others who lack these traits.
"In the Context of John 3:16, the phrase is emphasizing the inclusivity within the group of believers—anyone who believes, without distinction of ethnicity, social status, or background, but it does not imply that everyone will believe or even has the capacity to believe. (That idea is being read into the text by Amrinians). It underscores the universality of the offer of Salvation to all who believe, while inherently acknowledging the Condition of belief for Salvation.
"That's all the Text Conveys. Nothing more.
"Again, in the Context of John 3:16, the phrase is emphasizing the inclusivity within the group of believers—anyone who believes, without distinction of ethnicity, social status, or background, but it does not imply that everyone will believe. It underscores the universality of the offer of Salvation to all who believe, while inherently acknowledging the Condition of belief for Salvation.
"The use of John 3:16 as an objection to the Doctrine of Divine Election, particularly by Arminians,
brings to light the importance of Contextual and Holistic Scriptural Interpretation.
"Here's a critical examination of this objection and a defense of Divine Election considering the Broader Context of John 3:
"1. "Understanding John 3:16 in Context: John 3:16 states,
"For God so Loved the world, that He Gave His Only Begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have Eternal Life."
"This verse is often cited to argue against Divine Election, suggesting a universal potential for salvation.
"However, this interpretation overlooks the underlying implications regarding human ability
and the Context of the Broader Narrative.
"John 3:16 declares the duty of man—to believe in Christ for Salvation.
"Yet, it doesn't address the natural ability of fallen man to fulfill this duty.
"2. The Necessity of Being Born Again (John 3:3-8):
"The discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3 highlights the necessity of being 'born again'
or 'born from above' for entering the Kingdom of God.
"Jesus emphasizes that this New Birth is a Work of the Spirit, not of human will or effort (John 3:5-8).
"The analogy of the wind blowing wherever it wills, likened to the work of the Spirit in Regeneration, points to the Sovereign and Mysterious Work of God in Salvation. It implies that the Initiative and Enabling Spiritual Power for someone to believe comes from the Spirit, not from human capacity.
"3. The Reality of Human Resistance to Light (John 3:19- 20): John 3:19-20 further clarifies the natural condition of humanity:
"And this is the Judgment: the Light has come into the world,
and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."
"This passage depicts the inherent inclination of fallen humans to resist the Truth and love Darkness. These verses underscore the natural inability of humans to come to the Light (Christ) on their own.
"The tendency to resist the Light contradicts the assumption that humans
can freely choose to believe without Divine Intervention.
con't.
See next:
"4. Harmony between Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility:
The narrative of John 3 Harmoniously Integrates
Divine Sovereignty in Salvation with Human Responsibility.
From: What the Bible Says About the Doctrines of Grace.
"The word "whosoever" in John 3:16 translates from the Greek phrase "πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων" (pas ho pisteuōn).
"Let's break this down:
"1. πᾶς (pas): This is a pronoun commonly translated as "all" or "every."
"It often implies the idea of totality or completeness.
"2. ὁ (ho): This is the definite article in Greek, often translated as "the."
"It is used here to specify or define the group being referred to.
"3. πιστεύων (pisteuōn): This is the present participle form of the verb "πιστεύω" (pisteuō), meaning "to believe" or "to have faith." In the participle form, it functions as a verbal adjective and can be translated as "believing."
"When combined, "πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων" can be literally translated as "all the believing ones" or "everyone who believes."
"This phrase is not indiscriminately saying "everyone" but specifically referring to the entire group of those who are believing or who have faith.
"It is crucial to note that both Calvinists and Arminians concur on two fundamental points:
"first, that anyone who embraces the Gospel will be Saved,
"and second, that the Gospel's invitation extends to all.
"That is not where we differ. The divergence in interpretation arises from the Arminian emphasis on human ability and free will when they encounter the term "whosoever." In contrast, Calvinists, while acknowledging that the Gospel call reaches all and that individuals are accountable to respond, assert based on scriptural passages like John 3:19 that none are naturally inclined to accept the message.
"Calvinists, reading the immediate and broader context, emphasize that when the Gospel is preached indiscriminately, the rejection of its message is not due to God holding anyone back or coercion into disbelief. Rather, it is a consequence of fallen human nature, as individuals willingly and voluntarily spurn the Gospel, hostile to its Message and incapable of grasping Spiritual Truths (John 3:19, 1 Cor 1:23, 2:14, Rom. 3:10-17, 8:7).
"Therefore, although Calvinists, like Arminians, advocate for the universal proclamation of the Gospel, they maintain—guided by scriptural evidence—that no one inherently seeks the light or approaches it without the Intervention of God's Grace and Mercy.
"Arminians interpret the term "whosoever" in John 3:16 as an indication that the Gospel is not only universally accessible but also implies that some individuals possess the natural capacity and willingness to respond. They argue that while some individuals make use of 'prevenient grace', others do not.
"But why the difference? The difference in the way people respond is not Grace,
because, according to Arminians, both had prevenient grace.
"So what makes them to differ? Obviously something other than Grace that is within the soul. This viewpoint suggests that God discerns a vestige of goodwill in certain individuals, leading to their Salvation, whereas those who persist in obstinance are not saved. According to this perspective, intrinsic characteristics such as wisdom, humility, or a predisposition towards goodwill set some apart from others who lack these traits.
"In the Context of John 3:16, the phrase is emphasizing the inclusivity within the group of believers—anyone who believes, without distinction of ethnicity, social status, or background, but it does not imply that everyone will believe or even has the capacity to believe. (That idea is being read into the text by Amrinians). It underscores the universality of the offer of Salvation to all who believe, while inherently acknowledging the Condition of belief for Salvation.
"That's all the Text Conveys. Nothing more.
"Again, in the Context of John 3:16, the phrase is emphasizing the inclusivity within the group of believers—anyone who believes, without distinction of ethnicity, social status, or background, but it does not imply that everyone will believe. It underscores the universality of the offer of Salvation to all who believe, while inherently acknowledging the Condition of belief for Salvation.
"The use of John 3:16 as an objection to the Doctrine of Divine Election, particularly by Arminians,
brings to light the importance of Contextual and Holistic Scriptural Interpretation.
"Here's a critical examination of this objection and a defense of Divine Election considering the Broader Context of John 3:
"1. "Understanding John 3:16 in Context: John 3:16 states,
"For God so Loved the world, that He Gave His Only Begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have Eternal Life."
"This verse is often cited to argue against Divine Election, suggesting a universal potential for salvation.
"However, this interpretation overlooks the underlying implications regarding human ability
and the Context of the Broader Narrative.
"John 3:16 declares the duty of man—to believe in Christ for Salvation.
"Yet, it doesn't address the natural ability of fallen man to fulfill this duty.
"2. The Necessity of Being Born Again (John 3:3-8):
"The discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3 highlights the necessity of being 'born again'
or 'born from above' for entering the Kingdom of God.
"Jesus emphasizes that this New Birth is a Work of the Spirit, not of human will or effort (John 3:5-8).
"The analogy of the wind blowing wherever it wills, likened to the work of the Spirit in Regeneration, points to the Sovereign and Mysterious Work of God in Salvation. It implies that the Initiative and Enabling Spiritual Power for someone to believe comes from the Spirit, not from human capacity.
"3. The Reality of Human Resistance to Light (John 3:19- 20): John 3:19-20 further clarifies the natural condition of humanity:
"And this is the Judgment: the Light has come into the world,
and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."
"This passage depicts the inherent inclination of fallen humans to resist the Truth and love Darkness. These verses underscore the natural inability of humans to come to the Light (Christ) on their own.
"The tendency to resist the Light contradicts the assumption that humans
can freely choose to believe without Divine Intervention.
con't.
See next:
"4. Harmony between Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility:
The narrative of John 3 Harmoniously Integrates
Divine Sovereignty in Salvation with Human Responsibility.
