SolaScriptura
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The Wideness of God’s Mercy
“For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy on all” (Romans 11:32)
In both places “all” is in the Greek, “τοὺς πάντας”, when used with the definite article, “τοὺς”, has the meaning, “the whole of”, as in “the whole of the human race”
It is clear from chapters 9-11 in Romans, that Paul is contrasting the Jews, as God’s original “elect” People, and the Gentiles (ἔθνος), a term used of all the “nations” other than the Jews. If a person was not a “Jew”, then they were “Gentiles”. This is the sum-total of the entire human race.
When we read in Romans 9:15, “ For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion”, it has nothing to do with as misused by the Reformed/Calvinist, that God only has “Mercy and Compassion” on the “elect”. All this verse in its context shows, is that our salvation is not based on any “good works”, that can be used as a “merit”, towards our salvation, but it is a free Gift from God to the entire human race.
The language used by Paul, as in 11:32, in context, is clear that God’s Mercy is for the lost sinners of the entire human race, as is His Great Love, as seen in John 3:16.
It is important to note in Romans 11:32, where Paul uses, “ἐλεήσῃ” (might have Mercy), that the verb is, active, subjunctive, showing that there is a “condition” attached to God’s Mercy, for salvation.
Romans 11:32 is made clearer from what Paul says in Galatians 3:22:
“But the Scripture shut up all under sin, so that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe”
Here we also have “all”, for the entire human race, “τὰ πάντα”.
Note also what Paul says here in Galatians, “δοθῇ”, which, like Romans 11:32, is also, in the “subjunctive”, which is here “conditioned” by the sinner “believing” (to those who believe).
There is nothing “unconditional” about the sinners salvation, as they must DO something, as in “REPENT” of their sins; and “BELIEVE” in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is nonsense to argue as some foolishly do, that for the sinner to “DO” anything for their salvation, it is a “work”. How can the obeying of God’s Just demands for salvation, that the sinner must first “REPENT” and “BELIEVE”, be considered as a “merit”, as though they somehow are “earning” their salvation. This is theological nonsense taught by some.
The Apostle Peter, when asked by the thousands who heard his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, after they were “cut to the heart” (convicted by the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:37). “What must we DO”, Peter is very clear, “REPENT…for the forgiveness of your sins”.
Salvation, as Taught in the Holy Bible, and not man-made “theology”, as some do, is very clearly CONDITIONAL.
The extent of God’s Mercy and Love, is UNIVERSAL, for the salvation of those who will REPENT and BELIEVE.
“For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy on all” (Romans 11:32)
In both places “all” is in the Greek, “τοὺς πάντας”, when used with the definite article, “τοὺς”, has the meaning, “the whole of”, as in “the whole of the human race”
It is clear from chapters 9-11 in Romans, that Paul is contrasting the Jews, as God’s original “elect” People, and the Gentiles (ἔθνος), a term used of all the “nations” other than the Jews. If a person was not a “Jew”, then they were “Gentiles”. This is the sum-total of the entire human race.
When we read in Romans 9:15, “ For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion”, it has nothing to do with as misused by the Reformed/Calvinist, that God only has “Mercy and Compassion” on the “elect”. All this verse in its context shows, is that our salvation is not based on any “good works”, that can be used as a “merit”, towards our salvation, but it is a free Gift from God to the entire human race.
The language used by Paul, as in 11:32, in context, is clear that God’s Mercy is for the lost sinners of the entire human race, as is His Great Love, as seen in John 3:16.
It is important to note in Romans 11:32, where Paul uses, “ἐλεήσῃ” (might have Mercy), that the verb is, active, subjunctive, showing that there is a “condition” attached to God’s Mercy, for salvation.
Romans 11:32 is made clearer from what Paul says in Galatians 3:22:
“But the Scripture shut up all under sin, so that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe”
Here we also have “all”, for the entire human race, “τὰ πάντα”.
Note also what Paul says here in Galatians, “δοθῇ”, which, like Romans 11:32, is also, in the “subjunctive”, which is here “conditioned” by the sinner “believing” (to those who believe).
There is nothing “unconditional” about the sinners salvation, as they must DO something, as in “REPENT” of their sins; and “BELIEVE” in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is nonsense to argue as some foolishly do, that for the sinner to “DO” anything for their salvation, it is a “work”. How can the obeying of God’s Just demands for salvation, that the sinner must first “REPENT” and “BELIEVE”, be considered as a “merit”, as though they somehow are “earning” their salvation. This is theological nonsense taught by some.
The Apostle Peter, when asked by the thousands who heard his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, after they were “cut to the heart” (convicted by the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:37). “What must we DO”, Peter is very clear, “REPENT…for the forgiveness of your sins”.
Salvation, as Taught in the Holy Bible, and not man-made “theology”, as some do, is very clearly CONDITIONAL.
The extent of God’s Mercy and Love, is UNIVERSAL, for the salvation of those who will REPENT and BELIEVE.