Sep 4, 2009

Do They Contradict?

"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1: 28 KJV)

"Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (II Timothy 2: 10 KJV)

Do these passages contradict each other? Is Paul laboring in preaching for the salvation of the "elect" or "every man," or somehow both?

Both passages are talking about salvation. In the first passage, salvation is denoted by being made "perfect in Christ Jesus." In the second passage, the word "salvation" itself is used.

Both passages speak of Paul's purpose and intention in evangelizing.

If we deny that Paul (and God through him) desired and labored for the salvation of "every man," then we are Hyper Calvinists.

If we deny that Paul (and God through him) desired and labored for the salvation of the "elect," then we are Arminians.

Both these verses are true and one's soteriology ought to accept them both as true.

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