Featured Expository note on John 6:37-45

Jonathan, yes I can read Greek. And thank you for correcting me here. What I should have said, is that it is the subject of the verb (Father) that is being ascribed the action by the verb while the object of the verb is not being ascribed this action but is the recipient of this action. My only defense is that I was going on memory of the recipient being the object of the action rather than a partner in the action. You are right, my mistake.

 

There are some on this forum who deny that univesal inability is being asserted here by Christ.

lol! Sorry about that. I should use a spell check.

The fact still remains, coming is "simultaneous" with drawing in every case it is used and that means it is always effectual in coming. Its common use in scripture is whatever is being drawn is coming as it is being drawn - that is just a simple fact. Peter drew his sword and drawing it out and it coming out are two sides of the same coin but the sword is passive in regard to action of drawing as it is the recipient of that action rather than the doer of the action. Men pulling in fish, the fish are coming in as they are being pulled in. Drawing is the internal work of God that reverses the condition found in the phrase "no man can come" thus this internal work of God is reversing the unregenerated condition described in Ephesians 4:18. Where there is a darkened understanding and ignorance that alienates them from the life of God they are taught by divine fiat (2 Cor. 4:6) which removes that darkness of ignorance. Light and darkness CANNOT co-exist together as light removes darkness.

Verse 45 is explanatory as Jesus quotes from the prophets to support his statement in verse 44. Who can be "taught" without both hearing and learning from the teacher? The difference between "taught" and "heard...learned" is the difference between cause and effect. The point is that the prophets did not say "SOME" shall be taught but "ALL" shall be taught and the "ALL" the prophets are referring to are the "ALL" of the new covenant (Isa. 54:13; Jere. 31:33-34). Likewise, the same Greek term translated "all" is also translated "every one".

The context has already defined "come to me" as believe (v. 35-36). In the context coming to him is consequential to both being given by the Father (vv. 37-38 "shall" come) and being drawn by the Father (v. 44). "Unbelief" is the polar opposite of "come to me" or "believe on me" and John is stating that their condition of "unbelief" is due to the fact they were NEVER DRAWN by the Father (v. 65).

You are reversing the cause and effect statements in the context to even arrive at your conclusion above. Coming is the result of having been drawn not the cause. They are already in a condition of TOTAL INABILITY or unbelief (v. 44).

No, verse 44 does not say "SOME" men but "NO MAN" and that is a universal statement. The term "all" in John 6:37-38, 45; 12:32 refers to all mankind without distinction of race, class or gender, because coming to Christ by faith is not restricted to just Jews or just Gentiles or just male or just the rich or just the poor. These are universal statements and by context are confined to the people of the New Covenant as the prophetic quotation in verse 45 prove.

 

Prove that from the Biblical usage! I have based my interpretation solely upon the Biblical usage which is:

1. The object of the verb translated "draw" is always passive in performing the action but is the recipient of the action.

2. The object of the verb translated "draw" simultaneously comes as being drawn - always, unless the one drawing is too weak to draw.

1. The term "come" is contextually defined in verses 35-36 as "believe on".

2. Those in verse 36 did not come which is defined as did not believe

3. The words "come to me" does not describe a COMPLETED ACTION OF SPIRITUAL POSITON but an action BEING performed by the one given, whereas SPIRITUAL ARRIVAL defined as a SPIRITUAL POSITION is an act of God and a completed action or condition. Your intepretation demands that giving and coming are actions by the Father, whereas, the overall context proves coming is the consequential action of being given and drawn.

4. Coming is the consequence of being drawn in John 6:44 and the opposite of coming is defined as "unbelief" in John 6:64-65. They remained in "unbelief" BECAUSE they were never drawn by the Father.

5. In verse 35 both "cometh" and "giveth" are present tense continuous action rather than a COMPLETED CONDITION of being "in Christ" as a position as your interpetation demands. The state of being "in Christ" is not a progressive action but always obtained by completed action verbs ("created" "born" "quickened" etc.).

1. It is not the "gospel" that is given the credit for coming to Christ in this context but a PERSON - The Father and His work of giving and drawing. Jesus is dealing with the ultimate cause for coming.

2. It is the work of God that is being credited with ability to come to Christ by faith (Jn. 6:29, 37-38, 44-45; 64-65).

3. Your position is based on the irrational basis that coming to Christ by faith is both the cause and the consequence of being given and drawn.

 

The manner in which this occurs is not one of force against ones will, but rather the changing of the disposition so that one becomes willing. So I have no disagreement about the manner.

The issue is WHO is the subject of this drawing and the SIMULTANEOUS action of coming with drawing that is always effectual.

The context places both giving and drawing in the context of God's covenant people - Isa. 54:13 with Jeremiah 31:33-34 as interpreted by Paul in Hebrews 8:12-13 and 10:15-17.

The clear explicit denial that all without exception are drawn in John 6:64-65 and thus only all in the covenant purposes of God.

 

You are struggling with the very same issue as those in John 6:63. Justice does not demand that God save anyone as they are equally condemned and worthy of rejection and therefore none can demand mercy. I think you are failing to see that all mankind in the fallen state are in a state of ENMITY with God and that is the cause of their inability not that they are without volition but they are without love or desire for God. Drawing is effectually in giving them a heart/desire for God.

The term "all" in this context means "all mankind without distinction of race, class or gender" and so do the term "world" in John 3:16. Remember, he is speaking to a Jewish Master teacher who believed salvation was restricted to Judaism. Jesus is telling him that God's redemptive love is more comprehensive than the Jewish nation but all races, classes and genders.

 

There is nothing in fallen man that is attracted to God.The only thing in fallen man is a love for darkness and enmity toward God. The only thing that God attracts in fallen man is hate.