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NASB | Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, |
Bible Question:
I was having a discussion with someone the other day on the topic of salvation and this came up. “Therefore just as the one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all” (Romans 5:18). The controversy (if you wish to call it that) is over the use of the word "ALL". I was taught that the original sin of Adam and Eve partaking of the fruit did condemn ALL of mankind. However, I was also taught that one can only obtain salvation through grace by God, by placing one's trust in Christ through faith, repentance of sins, etc. in otherwords, you're born again. What about the "for all" on the end of that scripture? I never pictured salvation for "ALL". I can't imagine "ALL" people going to heaven. Yet again, "ALL" of us were condemned by one act, are we "ALL" saved by one act? My natural inclination is to say yes with the caveat of surrendering to Jesus. Any comments? |
Bible Answer: They asked Jesus that. Someone said, “Lord, are there few that be saved?” (See Luke 13:23). The Lord’s answer should put an end to the investigation of individual words such as the “All”s in Romans 5:18, and remind us of the danger in focusing on other individual words elsewhere. He said unto them, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able“ (v. 24). With those words ringing in our ears, can we give any credence to a doctrine of universal salvation? Jesus said, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it“ (Matthew 7:14). Does that suggest that everyone will be saved? But we have a fascination with individual words. Surely “All” must mean “All”, and “all” in Romans 5:18b must mean that all will be saved. False prophets must realize how easily we are tripped up and trapped by individual words. But Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves“ (Matthew 7:15). They neglect the message of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and focus instead on individual words. Stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. An individual word has no particular meaning. Only context gives it meaning. Therefore, read the passage. Put the word in context. Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight (Romans 5:18,19, NLT). Jesus did say, “Come unto me all” (Matthew 11:28). He did say he would draw all (John 12:32). But he also said to some, “You are not coming to me that you might have life” (John 5:40). Happily, we also hear him say, “The one who comes to me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come“. And let him that hears say, “Come“. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Only a few will respond. But all of them will be saved. |