What if...

Actually, I said Rom. 1:21+. When you get to Rom. 3:10 you will find "there is none righteous, not even one: (11) There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; (12) All have turned aside..."

So you see that your statement that if people respond to God's revelation in creation, He will give them more, is unsupported by scripture. Everyone rejected God's general revelation in creation.

The context determines the meaning.

Matt. 13:11 says "And He answered an said to them. 'To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted."

So, in context, Jesus is telling His disciples that it has granted to them by God to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but has not granted that to others.

There is no indication in the text that the disciples responded to general revelation and then Jesus decided to pick them for more revelation.

The passage you quoted supports the question of the OP, that God has granted to some to come to salvation, but not others.

peace to youraying:

 

Then how did they "know God"?

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.


If their hearts were already darkened, having no knowledge of God, why did Paul say their hearts were darkened after rejecting God? What is the point of darkening an already darkened heart?

 

The disciples didn't understand the parables any better than the others who rejected Christ. They required an explanation by Jesus, but they desired it and the others did not. That is what Jesus meant when He said "more will be given abundantly".

 

Paul is not saying they "knew" God in a salvific way.

Verse 19 says "that which is known about God is evident within them" Paul goes on to explain exactly what is "known about" God through the creation; (v.20) ".....His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature...."

So when Paul says they "knew" God, he is referring to what he had just said concerning the things they "knew about" God.

Paul's point in Rom. 1:18+ is that God revealed Himself to everyone through a general revelation found in creation. Everyone rejected that knowledge given to them by God and turned from God.

peace to youraying:

 

The disciples didn't ask for explanation of the parables at that point. They asked Jesus why He was speaking to the multitudes in parables. (chp. 13:10) They do ask for an explanation later, but not at the point where Jesus explains why He is speaking in parables.

Jesus told them He was speaking to the multitudes in parables because it was not granted to them to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but it was granted to the disciples.

There is no mention of the disciples "desiring" to know the parables more than the multitudes. You are simply adding that to the text.

peace to youraying:

 

Not everyone rejects God as creator. I have always believed in God as far back in my life as I can remember.

I agree that believing there is a God does not save you. But God will reveal more of Himself to those that accept the light/truth He has given them.

Romans 3:10 is a reference back to Psalms 14 which says "the fool in his heart has said there is no God". The whole Psalm is describing the wicked. While we are all sinners in need of salvation, we have not all completely rejected the truth God has revealed to us.

In Matthew 13, Jesus is clearly telling the Jews that God had revealed Himself and the coming Messiah through scripture, the Law and the Prophets, but if they chose to reject this revelation, God would not give them any more and even take away the what they had. Many, if not most of the Jews were Jews outwardly only and not Jews inwardly, which Paul also teaches.

 

Of course there is mention of the disciples desiring to know the meaning of the parables. They asked Him what they meant when they were alone. :laugh: Clearly, they desired to know what they meant.

 

Have a good night, Amy.G

peace to youraying: