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NASB | Romans 5:6 ¶ For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 5:6 ¶ While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. |
Subject: Christ dying only for elect? |
Bible Note: "Predestined" means that one's destiny is decided beforehand, in this case "before the creation of the world." (Ephesians 1:4) Who did the electing? See Ephesians 1:11 for the answer to that one. Saying that we are all predestined to be saved is universalism, the idea that all are going to heaven, which I think we will both agree is unbiblical. The key is understanding the meaning of the word "foreknew." If we follow Romans 8:29 on down by assuming that by God "foreknew" everyone in the sense that he simply "knew of their existence," we have some serious problems. Why? Because those he foreknew he predestined. These same people he called. No problem so far for the "free-will" camp. But then we see that those he called he JUSTIFIED? Are all men justified before God? No. Then we see that this same group is also GLORIFIED. I know of no one who would suggest that those going to hell are glorified! The foreknowing has a more intimate connotation than simply being aware of their existence. In the Bible we see many places where knowing has the idea of familiarity and personal initimacy. If we are to reject the idea that all are saved, then we have to adopt this understanding of the verb. --Joe! |