Reference: Predestination
Easton
This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Ac 4:28; Ro 8:29-30; 1Co 2:7; Eph 1:5,11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events.
This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guide, we must accept this doctrine with all its mysteriousness, and settle all our questionings in the humble, devout acknowledgment, "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight."
For the teaching of Scripture on this subject let the following passages be examined in addition to those referred to above; Ge 21:12; Ex 9:16; 33:19; De 10:15; 32:8; Jos 11:20; 1Sa 12:22; 2Ch 6:6; Ps 33:12; 65:4; 78:68; 135:4; Isa 41:1-10; Jer 1:5; Mr 13:20; Lu 22:22; Joh 6:37; 15:16; 17:2,6,9; Ac 2:28; 3:18; 4:28; 13:48; 17:26; Ro 9:11,18,21; 11:5; Eph 3:11; 1Th 1:4; 2Th 2:13; 2Ti 1:9; Tit 1:2; 1Pe 1:2. (See Decrees of God; Election of Grace.)
Hodge has well remarked that, "rightly understood, this doctrine (1) exalts the majesty and absolute sovereignty of God, while it illustrates the riches of his free grace and his just displeasure with sin. (2.) It enforces upon us the essential truth that salvation is entirely of grace. That no one can either complain if passed over, or boast himself if saved. (3.) It brings the inquirer to absolute self-despair and the cordial embrace of the free offer of Christ. (4.) In the case of the believer who has the witness in himself, this doctrine at once deepens his humility and elevates his confidence to the full assurance of hope" (Outlines).
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And if the Lord did not shorten those days, none could escape: but for the sake of the elect, whom He hath chosen, He hath shortened those days.
and the Son of man is going indeed as was determined; but wo to that man by whom He is betrayed.
All that the Father giveth me, will come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will not cast out.
Ye did not first choose me, but I chose you, and have appointed you to go forth, and bear fruit, and that your fruit should be lasting: that whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name, He may give it you.
as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that as to all which Thou hast given Him, He might give them eternal life;
I have manifested thy name to the men, whom Thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and Thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word.
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom Thou hast given me, for they are thine.
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; and Thou wilt fill me with joy by the light of thy countenance."
but thus hath God accomplished those things which He had foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer.
(whom Thou hast anointed,) to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had before determined to be done.
(whom Thou hast anointed,) to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had before determined to be done.
And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were determined for eternal life believed.
and hath made of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined the seasons before-appointed them, and the bounds of their habitation;
for those whom he foreknew, He also predetermined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be as the first-born among many brethren: and whom He before ordained, these He also called; and whom He called, these he also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
(when the children were not yet born, nor had done either good or evil, that the purpose of God according to his choice might abide, not on account of works, but of Him that calleth,) it was said to her, the elder shall serve the younger:
So then He hath mercy on whom He pleaseth, and whom He will, He hardeneth.
Hath not the potter power over the clay, out of the same mass to make one vessel to honor and another to dishonor?
And so in the present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
having before appointed us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will;
even in Him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated to it according to the purpose of Him who effecteth all things after the counsel of His own will:
according to the ancient purpose, which He executed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught it, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before all ages;
holding fast the faithful word, according as he hath been taught, that he may be able both to instruct in sound doctrine, and to convince gainsayers.
Fausets
(See ELECTION.) Ac 2:23; 4:28, "whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done" (proorisen). God has "predestinated" believers "unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace." "He hath chosen us in Christ" out of the rest of the world, "predestinated" us to all things that secure the inheritance for us (Eph 1:4-5,11). "Predestination" refers to God's decree, embodied in God's "election" of us out of the mass; His grand end. in it being "the praise of the glory of His grace" (Eph 1:6,12,14). It is by virtue of our union to Christ, "foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1Pe 1:20), that we are "predestinated" (2Ti 1:9).
Believers are viewed by God before the world's foundation as "IN CHRIST" with whom the Father makes the covenant (Re 13:8; 17:8; Eph 3:11), "according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." In 2Th 2:13 the Greek for "chosen" (heilato) means rather "taken for Himself"; He adopted them in His eternal purpose; "in (Greek) sanctification of (i.e. by) the Spirit" (by consecration to perfect holiness in Christ once for all, next by imparting it to them ever more and more). There was no doubt or contingency with God from the first. All was foreordained. God's glory and the believer's salvation are secured unchangeably. All pride on man's part is excluded; all is of God's unmerited grace. Yet the will of man is, in the sense of preserving our reponsibility, free. God alone knows how the two harmonize, His predestination and our freedom; it is enough for us they are both distinctly revealed.
At the same time fatalism is excluded, for God who predestinated believers to salvation as the end predestinated them to be conformed to the image of His Son as the means. We must make as sure of the means as of the end. Not to have the Spirit of Christ is to be none of His. Yet God's predestination is not founded on the believer's character, but the believer's character results from God's predestination (2Th 2:13; Ro 8:9,28-30). God the Father gives us salvation by gratuitous election; the Son earns it by His blood-shedding; the Holy Spirit applies the Son's merits to the soul by the gospel word (Calvin): Ga 1:4,15; 1Pe 1:2; the element IN (Greek) which we are elected is "sanctification of (consecration once for all by) the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (the end aimed at by God as regards us).
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(as ye yourselves also know,) Him being given up by the determinate counsel and fore-knowlege of God ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.
(whom Thou hast anointed,) to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had before determined to be done.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if the Spirit of God dwelleth in you: but if any one hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And we know that all things co-operate for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose; for those whom he foreknew, He also predetermined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be as the first-born among many brethren: and whom He before ordained, these He also called; read more. and whom He called, these he also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
who gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from the present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father:
But when it pleased God, (who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,)
according as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unblameable before Him in love: having before appointed us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will; read more. to the praise of his glorious grace, whereby He hath made us acceptable in the Beloved:
even in Him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated to it according to the purpose of Him who effecteth all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
who is the pledge of our inheritance, till the redemption of his purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.
according to the ancient purpose, which He executed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord; because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth:
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord; because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth:
who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and grace bestowed upon us through Christ Jesus, before the world was,
who was indeed appointed before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times, for your sakes,
So that all who dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
The beast, which thou sawest, was, and is not; but will rise out of the abyss, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth (whose names are not written on the book of life from the foundation of the world) shall wonder, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is to be.
Hastings
The English word 'predestinate' in the AV is, in the few cases in which it occurs (Ro 8:29,36; Eph 1:5,11), exchanged in the RV for 'foreordain,' a return to the usage of the older Versions. The Gr. word (proorizo) conveys the simple idea of defining or determining beforehand (thus, in addition to above, in Ac 4:29; 1Co 2:7). The change in rendering brings the word into closer relation with a number of others expressing the same, or related, meanings, as 'foreknow' (in pregnant sense, Ac 2:23; Ro 8:29; 11:2; 1Pe 1:2,20), 'determine' (Ac 17:26), 'appoint' (1Pe 2:8), 'purpose' (Eph 1:9), in the case of believers, 'choose' or 'elect' (Eph 1:4 etc.). In the OT the idea is expressed by the various words denoting to purpose, determine, choose (e.g. Isa 14:24-27; 46:10-11), with the ahundance of phrases extolling the sovereignty and immutability of God's counsel in all the spheres of His operation (see below; so in NT). The best clue to the Scripture conception will he found in tracing it as it appears in these different spheres of the Divine action.
1. In its most general aspect, foreordination is coextensive with the sphere of God's universal providence, is, in fact, but another name for the eternal plan, design, purpose, counsel of God, which executes itself in providence. The election of believers, to which 'predestination' is sometimes narrowed, is hut a specific case of the 'purpose' of Him 'who worketh all things after the counsel of his will' (Eph 1:11). It is in this wider regard, accordingly, that foreordination must be studied first. It cannot be reasonably doubted that all Scripture
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"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven so also upon earth;
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall to the ground without the will of your Father: and even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
(as ye yourselves also know,) Him being given up by the determinate counsel and fore-knowlege of God ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; and Thou wilt fill me with joy by the light of thy countenance."
(whom Thou hast anointed,) to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had before determined to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and give unto thy servants to speak thy word with all freedom, while Thou art stretching forth thy hand to heal,
Now all his works are known unto God from the beginning of the world:
For it seemed good to the holy Spirit, and so to us, to lay no more burthen upon you than these necessary things.
and hath made of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined the seasons before-appointed them, and the bounds of their habitation;
for those whom he foreknew, He also predetermined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be as the first-born among many brethren: and whom He before ordained, these He also called;
for those whom he foreknew, He also predetermined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be as the first-born among many brethren: and whom He before ordained, these He also called;
for those whom he foreknew, He also predetermined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be as the first-born among many brethren: and whom He before ordained, these He also called;
(as it is written, "for thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter:")
What shall we say then? Is there injustice in God? God forbid! For He saith to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." read more. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. And the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, for this very purpose have I raised thee up, that I may shew forth my power in thee, and that my name may be declared through all the earth.
And the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, for this very purpose have I raised thee up, that I may shew forth my power in thee, and that my name may be declared through all the earth. So then He hath mercy on whom He pleaseth, and whom He will, He hardeneth. read more. Thou wilt say then, Why doth he yet blame us? who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou, that disputest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?
Nay but, O man, who art thou, that disputest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, out of the same mass to make one vessel to honor and another to dishonor?
Hath not the potter power over the clay, out of the same mass to make one vessel to honor and another to dishonor? And what if God, though resolved to shew his displeasure at last, and to make known his power, yet bore with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction?
And what if God, though resolved to shew his displeasure at last, and to make known his power, yet bore with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction?
And what if God, though resolved to shew his displeasure at last, and to make known his power, yet bore with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction? and that He might make known the riches of his glory in the vessels of mercy, which He hath prepared for glory?
God hath not cast off his people, whom He foreknew. Do ye not know what the scripture saith of Elias? how he complains to God against Israel,
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways not to be traced out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor?
according as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unblameable before Him in love:
according as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unblameable before Him in love:
according as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unblameable before Him in love: having before appointed us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will;
having before appointed us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of his will;
having made known to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure, which He had before purposed in Himself:
even in Him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated to it according to the purpose of Him who effecteth all things after the counsel of His own will:
even in Him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated to it according to the purpose of Him who effecteth all things after the counsel of His own will:
even in Him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated to it according to the purpose of Him who effecteth all things after the counsel of His own will:
And you hath he made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which ye formerly walked after the manner of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that still operates in the children of disobedience: read more. among whom also we were all conversant heretofore in our carnal desires, indulging the appetites of the flesh and of our imaginations; and were by nature children of wrath, even as others. But God being rich in mercy, through his great love wherewith He loved us, hath made us alive in Christ, even when we were dead in trespasses, (for by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come He might shew the superabundant riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. For by grace ye are saved, through faith: and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not by works, that no one may boast:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave up Himself for it: to sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, read more. that He might prepare it for Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and unblameable.
rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught it, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord; because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth:
Therefore, brethren, be steady, and hold fast the traditions, which ye have been taught, whether by word or by our letter.
Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ to the strangers who are dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. These stumble at the word through unbelief, unto which also they were appointed.
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests to his God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy art thou, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and by thy will they exist, and were created.
and crying with a loud voice, saying, Salvation be ascribed to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb.
Then I looked and behold a Lamb standing on mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the noise of many waters, and as the sound of great thunder; and I heard the sound of harpers playing on their harps: read more. and they sung as it were a new song before the throne; and before the four living ones, and the elders: and none could learn the song, but the hundred and forty four thousand, who are redeemed from the earth. These are they who were not defiled with women; for they are virgins: these are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth: these were redeemed from among men, as the first-fruits unto God and the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are blameless before the throne of God. And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, to preach to those that dwell upon the earth, to every nation, and tribe, and tongue,
Watsons
PREDESTINATION, according to some, is a judgment, or decree of God, by which he has resolved, from all eternity, to save a certain number of persons, hence named elect. Others define it, a decree to give faith in Jesus Christ to a certain number of men, and to leave the rest to their own malice and hardness of heart. A third, more Scripturally, God's eternal purpose to save all that "truly repent and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel,"