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Citation: Klassen, Ben. “An Exegetical Discussion on Perseverance of the Saints.” 
BA Honours (Biblical Studies and Theology), Tyndale University College & Seminary,
2019.

***** Begin Content ******


An Exegetical Discussion on Perseverance of the Saints

Ben Klassen

BSTH 4993: Honours Thesis in Biblical and Theological Studies II

March 15th, 2019

Dr. Benjamin Reynolds




Table of Contents

Introduction .... 2

John 10 .... 8

Romans 8 .... 19

Hebrews 6 .... 29

James 5 .... 44

2 Peter 2 .... 51

Conclusion .... 58

Appendix .... 68

Bibliography .... 71

About the Author .... 75

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Introduction

Theology is often a contentious issue in the Church. Disputes often cause tremendous division 
and the multiplication of denominations, but they often lead to a greater understanding of 
orthodoxy (not that the following study claims to suggest a completely novel conclusion). One of 
the more contentious ongoing discussions concerns soteriology, a topic that is occasionally oversimplified 
to a debate between determinism and free will. This project does not claim to argue 
for a specific theological view; instead, it will attempt to remain unbiased as it criticizes (and 
attempts to harmonize) both sides in their discussion of the doctrine of perseverance of the saints.

	The present study is the result of a personal interest in contemplating the doctrine of 
perseverance of the saints within a biblical context. Most systematic theologies seem to provide 
rigid answers, whether they affirm or deny the doctrine, by appealing to certain verses as more 
foundational than others. Upon reading five biblical passages (John 10:22-30, Romans 8:31-39, 
Hebrews 6:4-12, James 5:19-20, and 2 Peter 2:20-22) it became clear that the plain meaning of 
some of these texts was being disregarded in favour of a more “doctrinally sound” conclusion. 
This methodology can be problematic because there is nothing within the context of the passage 
to influence a reading contrary to the plain one, but because the plain meaning does not support a 
specific doctrinal conclusion it is explained through the use of another passage that may be from 

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a different context. On the whole this interpretational method may not seem problematic because 
Christian theology believes in the divine authorship of Scripture and that what God says in one 
place can and should enlighten what he says elsewhere. However, problems arise when a 
passage's plain meaning appears to say one thing but the opposite is claimed through an appeal 
to another passage. Where many other discussions of the perseverance of the saints attempt to 
explain passages that disagree with their understanding, this project will attempt to examine each 
passage in its literary context and consider their contributions to the doctrine.

	It may be worth reasserting that I do not claim to argue for a particular theological view 
of perseverance. Although my theological leanings are in-line with the Reformed tradition more 
often than not, my doctrinal allegiance ultimately lies with what the Bible reveals instead of what 
a system determines. I do not find it problematic to appeal to divine mystery when necessary 
because it should be fairly clear that human understanding will never fully comprehend 
everything about God (Romans 11:33-35). This study is an attempt to “pierce the mystery” of 
God concerning perseverance of the saints in order to know him more fully.

	A preliminary definition of perseverance of the saints may be stated as follows: “The 
perseverance of the saints means that all those who are truly born again will be kept by God's 
power and will persevere as Christians until the end of their lives, and that only those who 
persevere until the end have been truly born again.”1 When it comes to discussions pertaining to 
perseverance of the saints, there are three main positions in relation to the definition above: in 
favour, opposed to, and undecided/ in the middle. As a way of introducing each position, three 
scholars' views will be briefly discussed: Robert Reymond (in favour), Robert Shank (opposed 
to), and I. Howard Marshall (in the middle). Each of these authors' specific arguments
_____________________________
	1 Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand 
Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 788.

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concerning the passages in question will be noted in the relevant chapters below (alongside other 
theologians), but they will be introduced here.

	In his book, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, Reymond affirms the 
following definition for perseverance of the saints: “They, whom God hath accepted in his 
Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away 
from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.”2 
He asserts that this perseverance depends fully upon the grace of God because of God's 
unchangeable and irresistible love that preserves the salvation of those whom he has drawn to 
himself.3 Reymond claims that those who have been effectually called can be temporarily 
tempted to leave the church but that those who were truly called by God will always return to 
him.4 Finally, Reymond makes a distinction between actual children of God and those who 
profess to be children of God because he argues that profession of faith does not automatically 
entail a guarantee of perseverance; only those whom God has called can and will persevere to the 
end.5 Reymond's view emphasizes God's sovereignty and election over free will and claims that 
every professing Christian who has rejected the faith was not truly saved. Unfortunately, to reach 
this conclusion Reymond tends to interpret passages that disagree with his position in light of the 
conclusion he already reached instead of allowing the passages to be interpreted in their own 
context first. More will be said on this in the following chapters.

	Robert Shank, in his book, Life in the Son: A Study of the Doctrine of Perseverance, 
articulates a view that posits a conditional view of perseverance of the saints (that ultimately
____________________________________
	2 Robert L. Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith (Nashville: 
Thomas Nelson, 1998), 781.
	3 Reymond, Systematic Theology, 781.
	4 Reymond, Systematic Theology, 781.
	5 Reymond, Systematic Theology, 782. 

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disagrees with the definitions given by Reymond and Grudem). His stance may be stated as 
follows: “contrary to the translations of some and of the opinions of many, the New Testament 
affirms that eternal life in Christ is our present possession only on the condition of a present 
living faith, rather than as the irrevocable consequence of a moment's act of faith sometime in 
the past.”6 Based on his added condition of a present living faith, Shank “concludes that, when 
all pertinent Scriptures are carefully examined and fully considered, the doctrine [of 
perseverance of the saints] must be rejected.”7 It should be noted that Shank's concern is that 
those who affirm perseverance of the saints are more likely to be guilty of “resting on their 
laurels.” He claims that “no man who is not listening to [Jesus'] voice and following him has 
warrant for assuming that he is one of Christ's sheep.”8 Although his motivation is pastoral and 
seeks deeper obedience for his congregation, Shank's view ultimately misinterprets key passages 
supporting perseverance of the saints in order to reach his conclusion.

	The last main perspective considered in this project is described by I. Howard Marshall in 
his book, Kept by the Power of God: A Study in Perseverance. Marshall's desire appears to be to 
reach a biblical conclusion that is not beholden to a theological ideal either for or against the 
doctrine. He is accurate in stating that “each school of thought has [...] tended to play down the 
significance of the scriptural teaching on which the other has built its case.”9 Marshall does not 
give as rigid a definition as those found in systematic theologies because he claims that the New 
Testament does not lend itself to such a possibility. In his conclusion he states:

	the New Testament is content to hold together the facts of perseverance and apostasy in 
	paradox, and to rest the confidence of the believer not on a logical argument but on the
_______________________________________________
	6 Robert Shank, Life in the Son: A Study of the Doctrine of Perseverance (Minneapolis:
Bethany Fellowship, 1989), 63.
	7 Shank, Life in the Son, xiv.
	8 Shank, Life in the Son, 300.
	9 I. Howard Marshall, Kept by the Power of God (Minneapolis: Bethany, 1974), 11. 

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	faithfulness of the God in whom he must continually trust. As he trusts, he finds that God 
	is indeed faithful and that only his own wilfulness and failure to trust can cause him to 
	fall; as he grows in trust, he is able to proclaim with the voice of faith that nothing can 
	separate him from the love of God.10

	Marshall's study strives to find the biblical middle ground between the two sides of the 
discussion, and his comments on all five of the passages will be examined below.

	In the study that follows, I will exposit and discuss the theological contributions of John 
10:22-30, Romans 8:31-39, Hebrews 6:4-12, James 5:19-20, and 2 Peter 2:20-22, each of which 
is relevant to the discussion of perseverance of the saints. As different theologians interact with 
the passages it is apparent that some of their conclusions are skewed because of their 
predetermined conclusions; I will highlight these tensions throughout but address them explicitly 
in the conclusion. John 10, Romans 8, and Hebrews 6 are each dealt with in many different 
systematic theologies and topical books (Marshall, Shank, Grudem, Erickson, and Strong) while 
James 5 and 2 Peter are only discussed sporadically (Marshall and Shank were the only scholars 
to feature both). Lastly, it will be helpful to keep in mind a brief note concerning terminology as 
the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints has also been labelled as preservation of the saints. 
The main difference between these two ideas is that perseverance seems to emphasize human 
effort in retaining salvation while preservation will focus on God's activity in ensuring the 
continued faithfulness of his people. It is also relevant to point out that Grudem's definition 
(given above) includes the phrase “kept by God's power,” demonstrating that for him 
preservation fits within the broader concept of perseverance.11 The passages used to affirm the 
doctrine of perseverance of the saints below may be more accurately said to affirm preservation, 
but since most theologians (like Grudem) use the term “perseverance” the rest of the study will
___________________________________________
	10 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 211.
	11 Reymond's definition does not include a similar phrase to Grudem's.

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follow this terminology and recognize that preservation is understood in the conversation 
concerning perseverance. The layout of this study will follow the biblical canon, making John 
10:22-30 the first passage to be examined.

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Chapter 1

John 10:22-30

The Gospel of John holds a unique place within Christian thought. It is the only non-synoptic 
Gospel, but it is often cited as a place for new believers to begin reading their Bibles due to its 
high Christology. In the midst of its rich theological tradition is an inherent tension in that John 
does not seem concerned with logical categories, and this lack of concern can appear 
contradictory to modern readers. For example, it is easy to view faith and works as being 
mutually exclusive, but when Jesus is asked about the work that is required to faithfully follow 
God, he replies that the work of God is to “believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29).12 The 
work of God that Jesus requests of the people is faith! The Gospel of John also contains an 
important passage used to support the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints: John 10:22-30. 
This chapter will briefly examine the literary context leading up to 10:22-30, exposit the passage, 
and describe how this passage contributes to the discussion pertaining to the perseverance of the 
saints.

Literary Context

_________________________________________
	12 All Scripture references will be taken from the ESV unless otherwise noted.

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Jesus' relationship to the Father is an important theme of the Gospel of John,13 and this theme is 
directly relevant to 10:22-30 since Jesus concludes with the jarring statement that he “and the 
Father are one” (10:30). Jesus' discourses frequently include authentication of his actions 
through his relation to God as Father. One of these is in John 3 where Jesus is described as 
having “all things” because the Father “has given [them] into his hand” (3:35), which describes 
the understanding that Jesus has tremendous authority because of his relationship with the 
Father. Jesus also claims to be sustained through his obedience to the Father: “My food is to do 
the will of him who sent me” (4:34). After healing someone on the Sabbath, Jesus responds to 
those who claim he is breaking the law by explaining that “[his] Father is working until now, and 
[he is] working” (5:17). After Jesus miraculously feeds more than five thousand people he begins 
to explain to them that he is “the bread of life” (6:35) that will sustain them forever and “all that 
the Father gives [him] will come to [him], and whoever comes to [him he] will never cast out” 
(6:37ff). When his words and deeds are questioned in John 8, Jesus explains that “it is [his] 
Father who glorifies [him]” (8:54). Jesus explains another aspect of his relationship with the 
Father in that the Father loves the Son because he lays down his life for the sheep and takes it up 
again (10:17), but also that he has been charged by the Father to take up his life after he has laid 
it down (10:18). Other notable instances describing Jesus' relationship to the Father include the 
claim that Jesus speaks by the Father's authority (12:49-50), that knowledge of Jesus leads to 
knowledge of the Father (14:7), and that whoever hates Jesus hates the Father as well (15:23). 
The concept of God as Jesus' Father is an important theme for understanding the unity of 
_______________________________________
	13 Andreas J. Kostenberger and Scott R. Swain, Father, Son, and Spirit: the Trinity and 
John's Gospel (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2008), 112, Paul A. Rainbow, Johannine 
Theology: the Gospel, the Epistles and the Apocalypse (Downers Grove: IVP, 2014), 72.

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purpose between them and often challenges Jesus' contemporaries on their conception of God 
and their belief.14

	Alongside the theme of Jesus' relationship to the Father, the exhortation to believe is 
important to John 10:22-30 because those who believe in Jesus are said to be secure in the grasp 
of Jesus and the Father (10:28-9). Earlier in John 3, while he is explaining “heavenly things” to 
Nicodemus, Jesus claims that belief is linked to eternal life and condemnation (3:16, 18). After 
healing a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years Jesus claims that anyone who 
“[hears his] word and believes him who sent [him] has eternal life” (5:24). After feeding the five 
thousand Jesus explains that in order to do the works that God requires of his people the people 
must “believe in him whom he has sent” (6:29). When Jesus is confronting his opponents 
concerning their unbelief, he notes that they do not believe the truth when he tells it to them 
(8:45). After healing a man who was born blind Jesus reveals that he is the Son of Man and the 
healed man proclaims his belief in response to being made to see (9:37-38). When Martha 
questions Jesus during the Lazarus narrative, he responds by explaining to her that if she 
believed she would see the glory of God (11:40). After Jesus entered Jerusalem he claims that 
whoever believes in him believes in the Father (12:44). During the High Priestly prayer Jesus 
prays on behalf of those who believe in him through the work of his disciples (17:20). Belief 
seems to be an indicator of the proper response to Jesus' ministry but only some appear to be 
capable of it, a theme that will be explored further in the following exposition of 10:22-30.

Exposition15

John 10:22-30 begins with a short description of Jesus' location and the time of year. The setting
of the passage is Jerusalem in the winter during the Feast of Dedication.16 The Feast of
____________________________________
	14 Rainbow, Johannine Theology, 84-5.
	15 For the author's translation of John 10:22-30, see Appendix A. 

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Dedication commemorated the Jewish rededication of the temple in 164 B.C. after it was defiled 
by Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 B.C.17 Jesus' location is further specified as he is described as 
“walking in the temple within the portico of Solomon” (10:23). There are two main views 
concerning the addition of this detail: he either did it to “teach and invite discussion”18 or it is a 
simple narrative detail meant to provide eye-witness accuracy to the account.19 Either way, Jesus 
was teaching during the Feast of Dedication.
	The Judeans (Ioudaioi) begin by asking him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If 
you are the Messiah, tell us openly” (10:24). The Greek of this sentence is notoriously difficult to 
translate, and many scholars believe that the phrase utilizes an idiomatic understanding of the 
verb airo.20 This verb usually carries the connotation of lifting something upwards21 but may 
also carry the following meaning: “to keep someone in suspense so that one cannot come to a 
conclusion in one's thinking.”22 The use of airo in Luke 11:52 may prove useful for this passage 
where Jesus says, “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away [airate] the key of 
knowledge.” His statement exemplifies the use of the verb in a context that withholds
____________________________________
	16 This feast took place for eight days in the month of Kislev/December and is the 
predecessor of Hanukah. See J. Ramsey Michaels, The Gospel of John, NICNT (Grand Rapids: 
Eerdmans, 2010), 594.
	17 Francis J. Moloney, S.B.D., The Gospel of John, SP (Collegeville: The LiturgicalPress, 1998), 313.
	18 Michaels, John, 595.
	19 Herman Ridderbos, The Gospel of John: a Theological Commentary (Grand Rapids: 
Eerdmans, 1997), 368; Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John (Revised), NICNT (Grand 
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995), 461.
	20 Michaels, John, 596.
	21 T. Muraoka, A Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint (Louvain: Peeters, 2009), 16; 
Frederick W, Danker, Walter Bauer, and William F Arndt. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New 
Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago, 2000), 28; J. 
P. Louw and Eugene A Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic 
Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1988), 207.
	22 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 354. Also in BDAG, 29. 

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knowledge23 so that the question in John 10:24 could be the following: “How long will you keep 
[knowledge from] us (our souls)?” Of course, this translation carries an implied “knowledge” 
instead of actually using the word gnosais as Luke 11:52 does, but the connection of withholding 
knowledge (or information) is evident from the demand for Jesus to be open with his Messianic 
identity.

	Jesus' response begins with the assertion that he had already answered their question but 
they did not believe (10:25a). Some scholars are quick to recognize that at this point in John 
Jesus has only explicitly disclosed his identity two times: his encounter with the Samaritan 
woman (4:26) and the man born blind (9:37).24 Jesus explains himself in the second half of the 
verse: “the works which I do in the name of my Father testify on my account” (10:25b). Jesus 
claims that the works he has already done speak clearly about whether or not he is the Messiah, 
something he claimed earlier in 5:36. According to Herman Ridderbos, Jesus' use of works in 
this context “refers to the content of Jesus' entire mission, his miracles and his words,” meaning 
that both his words and deeds provide adequate testimony concerning his identity.25 In John 
10:24-25, when asked about who he is, Jesus refers to the works that he has already done in the 
Father's name,26 but the simple fact remains that the Judeans did not believe.

	Jesus explains that the reason why they do not believe is that they “are not (of) [his] 
sheep” (10:26). Jesus is continuing to use the imagery he introduced in John 10:1-20 in

_____________________________________________
	23 Joachim Jeremias, “airo, epairo,” in TDNT 1, ed. Gerhard Kittel, trans. Geoffrey W. 
Bromiley (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964), 186
	24 Morris, John, 462; Michaels, John, 597; George R. Beasley-Murray, John, WBC 
(Waco: Word, 1987), 174.
	25 Ridderbos, John, 203. Italics original.
	26 Michaels, John, 597; C. K. Barrett, The Gospel According to St. John: an Introduction 
with Commentary and Notes on the Greek Text (London: Clowes and Sons, 1978), 380. 

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describing himself as a shepherd and his followers as his sheep.27 Jesus explains that his sheep 
are able to recognize his voice and will follow him (10:27). The verb translated as “follow” is 
akoloutheo and can be used either literally28 or figuratively as a way of describing discipleship 
under Christ.29 The figurative usage of the verb is used predominantly in the Gospel of John, 
making it likely that Jesus is referring to genuine discipleship in this passage.30

	As the sheep follow Jesus he will “give eternal life to them and they will never perish 
into eternity and no one will take them by force from [his] hand” (10:28). The idea of “eternal 
life” is qualified by the statement that follows in that they “will never perish,” a combination also 
in John 3:16 (“whoever believes in [the Son] should not perish but have eternal life”). The word 
translated as “perish” here is apollumi and can convey ideas of destruction, but it can also relate 
the idea of losing something “that one already has or [being] separated from a normal 
connection.”31 In light of this, it may be better to say that Jesus is claiming that his sheep will 
never be truly lost.32 The assertion that the sheep will never be lost is made clearer through the 
statement that “no one will take them by force” from Jesus' hand. The verb translated as “take by 
force” is arpazo and refers to a sudden and violent illegal attempt at seizure of property.33 By 
saying this, Jesus is promising (through use of the future tense) that his hand provides security 
for his sheep; he will not allow them to be taken from him.34

__________________________
	27 Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John, AB (New York: Doubleday, 
1966), 406.
	28 BDAG, 36. Also Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 201.
	29 Gerhard Kittel, “akoloutheo, ex-, ep-, par-, sunakoloutheo,” in TDNT1, ed. Gerhard 
Kittel, trans. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964), 214.
	30 Kittel, “akoloutheo, ex-, ep-, par-, sunakoloutheo,” 213; Beasley-Murray, 174.
	31 BDAG, 115, 6.
	32 Michaels, John, 598.
	33 BDAG, 134; Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 221, 500, 584, 475.
	34 Morris, John, 463.

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	The claim that Jesus' hand provides security for his sheep is expanded upon in 10:29. He 
says that the Father's hand is equally unassailable. The translation of this verse is widely 
disputed due to different textual traditions where the main issue is determining what the adjective 
“greatest” actually describes. Some textual variants seem to imply that what was given by the 
Father is greater35 while others describe the Father himself as greater than all.36 Contextually, it 
is much more likely that the author's purpose in this statement is to assert the superiority of the 
Father because the next line has to do with the security of “his hand.” What is the point of saying 
that what he gave the Son is the greatest if the lines directly before and after talk about the 
strength of the Father and Son's hands? The assertion of the Father's greatness makes more 
sense in this reading.37

The last line, “I and the Father are one” (10:30), has been described as a statement 
regarding the unity of purpose and mission between the Father and Son rather than ontological 
unity.38 This conclusion is drawn from the use of the neuter en instead of the masculine eis that is 
used in Mark 12:29 when Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6:4 regarding the most important 
commandment, “the Lord is one.” The unity of purpose between the Father and Son may simply 
be an explicit comment on what Jesus has already stated: the Son's hand is equally as secure as 
the Father's because they are working toward the same goal.

Contribution to the Doctrine of Perseverance

John 10:22-30 is often referred to in systematic texts when they discuss the doctrine of the 
perseverance of the saints because it appears to confirm it. The passage seems to clearly describe
___________________________
	35 Michaels, John, 600.
	36 The UBS classifies this as a ‘D' rating, indicating that the textual tradition provides 
limited answers.
	37 Beasley-Murray, John, 174.
	38 Moloney, John, 316; Colin G. Kruse, John, TNTC (Downers Grove: InterVarsityPress, 2003), 239; Brown, John, 407.

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Jesus comforting his people by proclaiming that his sheep will remain safe in his hand. However, 
there is room for discussion concerning a few key points: the necessity for the sheep's obedient 
following to be kept securely, internal versus external threats, and the emphasis of Jesus' words 
themselves. When these different aspects of the passage are examined it may be argued that 
Jesus is describing the preservation of his flock in that he will not allow apostasy to afflict his 
sheep.

	This section will begin with a consideration of an argument opposed to perseverance of 
the saints. Robert Shank's discussion of the passage recognizes the assurance given by Jesus in 
10:28-29, but he claims that these verses do not reveal the complete picture. In fact, Shank 
contends that merely quoting these two verses would be “incomplete” because 10:27 “is an 
integral part of the statement and quite essential” and that “it sets forth the specific condition 
governing our Saviour's promise.”39 According to Shank, 10:27 (“my sheep hear my voice, and I 
know them and they follow me”) is indicative of the condition attached to Jesus' promise of 
security, in other words: “no one will take them out of my hand as long as they follow me.”40 It 
should be noted that Shank's concern appears to emphasize action as necessary to the Christian 
life, but in this case he seems to be reading too much into the text as well as neglecting to take 
the whole context into account since he does not mention 10:26, a verse that defines the identity 
of the sheep a little more clearly and will be discussed in the next paragraph.

	Robert Reymond's discussion of John 10 concerning perseverance of the saints begins by 
arguing against the position which claims that the security of the sheep is dependent on 
continuing to follow Jesus.41 In order to draw this conclusion one must affirm that inclusion into
________________________________________
	39 Shank, Life in the Son, 56.
	40 Shank, Life in the Son, 56.
	41 Reymond, Systematic Theology, 783. 

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Jesus' flock requires belief first, which Reymond denies. He appeals to the immediate context 
where Jesus says of his opponents that “[they] do not believe because [they] are not from [his] 
sheep” (10:26).42 Reymond is right to argue that the belief of the sheep appears to be dependent 
on their identity as Jesus' sheep, not the other way around. Raymond Brown agrees with 
Reymond when he explains that the disciples “are sheep given to Jesus by the Father, and so they 
hear his voice and know who he is.”43 Based on this identification Jesus claims that “no one will 
take them by force from [his] hand” (10:28), effectually promising his people that they will be 
eternally secure in him44 because their identity is based on his action, not theirs.

	Wayne Grudem brings two important points to the discussion surrounding John 10. The 
first concerns whether Jesus is simply referring to external dangers. Grudem claims that “some 
have objected to this that even though no one else can take Christians out of Christ's hand, we 
might remove ourselves from Christ's hand.”45 Unfortunately, he does not cite who argues for 
this stance so it is difficult to fully engage with this claim. Grudem rejects the possibility that 
John 10 is only dealing with external threats through an appeal to the knowledge of how “our 
own hearts are far from trustworthy.”46 He argues that if Jesus' comforting statement did not 
include the possibility of our own removal from his hand then it would cease to be comforting at 
all.47 The appeal to Jesus' words as comforting is a natural conclusion, but a better conclusion 
would be to note that in the context Jesus is explaining some identity markers of his sheep in 
contrast to his opponents (who are thieves and robbers, see 10:1, 10). Part of Jesus' purpose in 
explaining identity markers could be that Jesus is dissuading his opponents from thinking that
________________________________________
	42 Reymond, Systematic Theology, 783.
	43 Brown, John, 407.
	44 Reymond, Systematic Theology, 783.
	45 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 789.
	46 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 789.
	47 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 789. 

16



they will be able to have any effectual influence over the sheep. The focus on dissuading 
opponents means that the discussion of internal factors is not really an issue dealt with by the 
passage since Jesus is only concerned with external foes.

	Grudem's second point concerns the forcefulness of the phrase “they will never perish” 
(ou may apolontai , 10:28). The verb in this phrase is in the subjunctive mood, which usually 
conveys possibility and could be translated alongside the qualifier “might,” so in this case it 
could be translated as “they might never perish.”48 However, the translation must take into 
account the double negation ou may that is modifying the subjunctive verb in order to convey that 
whatever is understood as possible through use of the subjunctive is rendered impossible.49 The 
phrase becomes an emphatic negation and “has the strength or force of the colloquial expression 
‘No way!'”50 This leaves absolutely no question about the possibility of future destruction of the 
sheep; it is unequivocally ruled out as a possibility.

Conclusion

John 10:22-30 describes Jesus in a controversial discussion with his opponents. He continues 
themes he touched on earlier in the chapter like the recognition between shepherd and sheep and 
the connection between himself and the Father, as well as making more extreme claims 
regarding his oneness with the Father. The description of eternal life as something given by Jesus 
and the claim that no one can take believers by force out of the hands of the Father and Son 
contributes nicely to the idea of divine preservation, which is a subset of perseverance. Jesus is 
described as providing eternal life for his sheep, those who believe, to ensure that they will 
surely not perish as well as providing protection from anything that might attempt to forcefully
_________________________________
	48 David L. Mathewson and Elodie Ballantine Emig, Intermediate Greek Grammar: 
Syntax for Students of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016), 165.
	49 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 789.
	50 Mathewson and Emig, Intermediate Greek Grammar, 168.

17



extract them from his flock. He is promising that his sheep are safe in his hands; their condition 
will be divinely preserved.

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Chapter 2
Romans 8:31-39

Paul's letter to the Romans is often cited as one of the key documents in understanding the core 
doctrines of Christianity, particularly the fact that people are justified by faith alone instead of 
through righteous actions. This doctrine is seen as foundational to the Christian faith, and rightly 
so, but the implications of such a doctrine are often over-looked; justification by faith alone is 
built upon trust in God's faithful actions on our behalf. This idea of trust in God's actions is also 
a key foundation to the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. The discussions concerning 
this doctrine inevitably appeal to Romans 8:31-39 because its plain meaning seems to rule out 
the possibility of apostasy, particularly the phrases ruling out the idea of separation from God's 
love (8:35, 39). In order to determine whether these conclusions are warranted, this chapter 
follows the same pattern as the previous one in describing the literary context of Romans 8:3139, 
expositing the passage in question, and concludes by describing how the passage contributes 
to the conversation pertaining to perseverance of the saints.

Literary Context

In the introduction to Romans, Paul describes himself as a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.
Paul also explains his desire to visit the Roman church so that he “may impart ... some spiritual

19



gift” (Romans 1:11). Paul's purpose statement is often understood as 1:16-17, particularly in 
describing the gospel as “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (1:16). Paul 
then moves into the first main section of the body of the letter: 1:18-3:20.51 This section opens 
with a general indictment of humanity as Paul describes the unrighteousness and ungodliness 
that causes them to “suppress the truth” (1:18). Something of particular note concerning the 
present discussion is Paul's use of the verb paradidomi, which is used three times to describe 
God's action towards the unrighteous in that he “gave them up” to their sinful dispositions (1:24, 
26, 28). The rest of this opening section describes the inability of humanity to find righteousness 
through the law and ultimately states that all have failed to live up to the standard given to them.

	This melancholy section is followed by a section detailing the necessity of faith 
concerning justification and reconciliation with God (3:21-5:21), beginning with the 
proclamation that the law - although it was unable to save in itself - pointed toward the 
redemption given to God's people as a gift through propitiation by Jesus' blood (3:21-31).52 This 
is followed by an exposition of the promise made to Abraham, a man who was counted righteous 
because of the faith he placed in God (ch. 4). Romans 5 begins to describe the process of our 
reconciliation to God through Christ's blood “while we were still sinners” (5:8). This section 
also mentions God's love twice: it “has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” 
(5:5) and “God shows his love for us in that ... Christ died for us” (5:8). This love is described as 
being revealed through Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf as well as fostering hope in us that 
“does not put us to shame” (5:5). The idea of God's love is picked up in 8:35, 39 as part of a 
statement explaining that it is impossible for believers to be separated from it. Paul is able to
__________________________
	51 I. Howard Marshall, Stephen Travis, and Ian Paul, Exploring the New Testament 
Volume 2 (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2011), 115. The section outline details are taken from 
this volume.
	52 Marshall, Travis and Paul, Exploring the New Testament Volume 2, 117-8. 

20




make this conclusion because of the foundational explanation concerning God's love in the 
beginning of chapter 5.

	The next main section (6:1-8:39) continues Paul's pattern of introducing material through 
a potential question that is answered negatively (see 3:9; 4:1).The first two questions (6:1, 15) 
deal with the issue of continuing to sin since God's grace has freed us from the requirements of 
the law. The third question deals with the law's relationship to sin in order to show that the 
purpose of the law was to reveal sin (7:7). The fourth reasserts the fault of sin in producing death 
in order to avoid placing the blame at the feet of the law itself (7:13). This section builds toward 
chapter 8 where Paul explains that “God has done what the law ... could not do. By sending his 
own Son he condemned sin in the flesh” (8:3). Paul also explains that the “Spirit himself 
bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (8:16) and that “the Spirit intercedes 
for the saints according to the will of God” (8:27). The joyful proclamation leads into a series of 
verbs describing God's chain of action concerning his people: he foreknows, predestines, calls, 
justifies, and glorifies them. Romans 8:31 begins with the question, “therefore what will we say 
to these things?” There is some debate as to what exactly “these things” refers to. In light of 
Paul's argument up to this point it may be fair to claim that “these things” refers to all of the 
preceding material. This supposition effectively makes the section dealt with below the 
conclusion of the letter thus far.53

Exposition54

Paul follows his initial question of “what will we say” with “if God is on our side, who is against 
us?” The if-statement here is rhetorical in style and assumes that God is in fact on the side of
_________________________________
	53 Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996),
537-8.
	54 For the author's translation of Romans 8:31-39, see Appendix B.

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Paul and the churches meeting in Rome. It is also a way of concluding the previous material55 in 
that up to this point Paul has been explaining “what Christ Jesus has done for humanity [and 
attributes] it all to the prevenient love of God.”56 Paul does not need to answer the question 
because he is supremely confident in God's faithfulness.57 This confidence is not because he 
believes that the life of the believer will be untouched by difficulties but rather that any 
opposition will be ultimately ineffectual.58 Paul follows his question concerning ineffectual 
difficulties by explaining that since God gave up his own Son for the sake of his people he will 
surely deal graciously with them as well.59 This word usage (“gave up”) is significant because 
the same form of paradidomi is used in 1:24, 26, and 28 to describe God's action of giving 
sinners up to their own unrighteousness. Although God gave the unrighteous up to their sins for a 
time, he also gave up his Son in order to redeem them.60 All of the things Paul has described in 
this letter are predicated on the fact that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice on behalf of the elect; Paul 
is concluding that God's faithful actions in the past are indicative of his faithfulness in the future. 
He has begun to reveal a reason for his people to hope in him and he will not allow that hope to 
be put to shame (Romans 5:5).

	The next section begins with another question: “who will bring charges against the ones 
chosen by God?” (8:33). The language of this question brings to mind a judicial context where 
the believer seems to be standing before a judge. Paul's answering statement and follow-up 
question reveal the futility of any accusation because the judge is God himself! Since he has
__________________________
	55 Richard N. Longenecker, The Epistle to the Romans, NIGTC (Grand Rapids: 
Eerdmans, 2016), 752.
	56 Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Romans, AB (New York: Doubleday, 1993), 529.
	57 James D. G. Dunn, Romans 1-8, WBC (Dallas: Word, 1988), 500.
	58 Moo, Romans, 539.
	59 Thomas R. Schreiner, Romans, BECNT (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998), 458.
	60 Dunn, Romans 1-8, 500-1

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already labelled his people as eklektos (chosen, elect)61 they have already been justified in His 
sight.62 The surety of this promise is made clearer through the description of Jesus' position in 
relation to God on behalf of His people. The question “who is the one who condemns?” is 
answered through the explanation that Christ, who has already died, was raised, and sits at the 
right hand of God, is interceding for his people. In this way, Paul is emphasizing that no one is 
able to condemn believers because they have Christ himself as their intercessor and advocate.63 
Any attempt to slander those whom Jesus died for will be in vain because God is the one who 
justifies them and Christ is interceding for them.

	The triumphant proclamation that Jesus intercedes on behalf of his people leads into the 
next question: “who will separate us from the love of Christ?” (8:35). Based on the questions in 
the preceding verses, it would be safe to assume that an emphatic “nobody!” is the answer Paul is 
looking for. Paul lists several temporal obstacles as possible answers, but the same negative 
response is expected. Paul presents a list most likely drawn from his own personal experience in 
order to make the point that he has experienced everything that the world can throw at him to 
threaten his salvation.64 Despite these hardships, Paul is ready to claim that none of them is able 
to separate him from God's love. To support his claim, Paul quotes from Psalm 44 where the 
psalmist laments the fact that God has abandoned his people to suffering and death. This psalm is 
cited as proof that God's election does not negate the possibility of difficulties in life; they 
should instead be expected and seen as proof of God's preservation of his people.65 Paul
_______________________
	61 BDAG, 306.
	62 Schreiner, Romans, 462.
	63 John Calvin, Commentaries on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans, 
Translated by John Owen, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003), loc350557-70. Kindle Edition.
	64 Moo, Romans, 543; see also 2 Cor. 11:26-27; 12:10.
	65 Schreiner, Romans, 464; Fitzmyer, Romans, 534.

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recognizes that God's people have almost always been persecuted in one way or another, but 
their numbers continue to grow because God is at work in their midst.

	The next statement makes his previous assertions clear as Paul claims that “in all these 
things we are completely victorious through the one who loves us” (8:37). Despite the constant 
threat of poverty, suffering, and death, Paul is claiming unprecedented victory because of what 
Jesus has done through his love for his people. The key word in this section is hupernikaow, a word 
that is only used here in the New Testament (and never in the Septuagint) and can be translated 
as “prevail completely”66 or “to be completely victorious.”67 It is used in this situation because 
the normal form, nikao, might have seemed too weak for Paul in this situation.68 This claim of 
“hyper-victory” likely builds on Paul's earlier claim that “all things work together for good, for 
those who are called according to his purpose” (8:28).69 What Paul has in mind is that these 
difficulties will ultimately serve to increase hope and character in the believers (see 5:3-5) in 
order that they would be able to glorify God more effectively. Paul is not saying that believers 
will conquer all opposition through their own force but instead that Jesus will turn all opposition 
to their benefit through his salvific power.70

	The surety in Paul's argument is followed by a statement of confidence: “For I have 
confidence that neither death nor life ... will be able to separate us from the love of God in 
Christ Jesus our Lord” (8:38, 39). Paul begins with the perfect passive form of the verb peitho 
which means that its most likely meaning is “to have (complete) confidence in”71 or “to attain
________________________________________
	66 BDAG, 1034.
	67 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 501.
	68 O. Bauernfeind, “nikao, nikay, nikos, uperoikao,” in TDNT 4, ed. Gerhard Kittel, trans. 
Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967), 945.
	69 Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, 544.
	70 Longenecker, Romans, 758.
	71 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 376 
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certainty in reference to something.”72 This means that what Paul is saying is true beyond a 
shadow of a doubt in his mind. The purpose of the list that makes up the majority of these two 
verses is to drive home the point that there is nothing in the created universe that is able to 
separate a believer from the love of God, a fact revealed through the last thing listed: “any other 
created thing.”73 Although the word heteros can be used to introduce something in a series that is 
of a different kind from those preceding it, in this case it is much more likely used to conclude 
the series in a way that encapsulates anything that does not fit the previous categories perfectly.74 
The other main qualifier of this last phrase is the word ktisis which essentially denotes 
something “that has been created,”75 furthering the case that the last part of the list is meant as a 
way to include all of creation in the list of things that are unable to separate believers from the 
love of God.76 Paul appeals to God's role in salvation as the basis for any sort of assurance in this 
passage in that his action preserves the status of the believer throughout their existence.

Contribution to the Doctrine of Perseverance

Romans 8 places a tremendous amount of emphasis on Jesus' actions on behalf of his people, 
and this chapter is often appealed to in discussions regarding perseverance of the saints. The 
plain meaning of the passage is difficult to avoid. Even those who are not completely in 
agreement with the doctrine of perseverance cannot help concluding that “Paul's tone is one of 
exalted optimism and assurance.”77 There are two main discussions regarding the implications of 
Paul's argument in Romans 8 concerning the doctrine of perseverance: the nature of conquest in
_____________________________
	72 BDAG, 792
	73 Schreiner, Romans, 463.
	74 Hermann W. Beyer, “heteros,” in TDNT 4, ed. Gerhard Kittel, trans. Geoffrey W.
Bromiley (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964), 702; Longenecker, Romans, 759.
	75 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 514.
	76 Dunn, Romans 1-8, 508.
	77 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 103.

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8:37, and the connection between Christ's intercession and the possibility of separation from 
God in 8:34, 35, and 39.

	Robert Shank's argument concerning Romans 8 does not engage the more “obvious” 
statements concerning perseverance of the saints such as the impossibility of separation from 
God or the fact that no one can bring an effectual accusation against God's elect. Instead, Shank 
focuses on 8:37: “But in all these things we are completely victorious through the one who loves 
us.” He argues that certain translations of this passage tend to be too passive while the act of 
conquering is by necessity active since the verb is in the active voice.78 His perspective requires 
that true Christians engage in conquering (as opposed to relying on someone else) in order to 
persevere.79 Shank is clearly concerned with motivating a passive church and is therefore 
emphasizing the need for action in a life that claims to follow Christ, which is an admirable 
endeavour.

	However, Shank appears to place an undue amount of emphasis on a part of the verse that 
is not emphasized by Paul. According to Shank's view, conquest is achieved solely through a 
personal action in appropriating the gift of divine grace. The Greek text, on the other hand, 
seems not to emphasize the active tense of the verb but the prepositional phrase that follows (dia 
tou agapeysantos heymas: through the one who loves us). This phrase is the foundation for 
confidence in future conquest because it places the responsibility on God and God alone.80 Paul 
is calling for confidence in his audience in order that they may endure whatever comes against 
them, not because of their own strength but based on the work of God that is already completed. 
Since God has already acted on their behalf in salvation, he will surely cause them to be more
___________________
	78 Shank, Life in the Son, 209.
	79 Shank, Life in the Son, 210.
	80 Longenecker, Romans, 758.

26


than conquerors in the face of trials and tribulations (8:35). Romans 8:37 (“we are completely 
victorious through the one who loves us”) is an appeal to divine preservation, and to a lesser 
extent a call to action in response to the confidence that the elect can have in God.

	Another point of interest concerns Christ's intercession and its connection to the 
affirmation that separation from the love of God is impossible. G. C. Berkouwer claims Jesus' 
intercession “accompanies our weaknesses, our dangers, our sinful tendencies, and even our 
sinful activities. All confidence in self falls away when we look to [him].”81 Since Jesus is 
interceding on behalf of his elect (8:34), it follows that there can be no condemnation for them 
either present or future. According to this view, the Christian can walk confidently towards the 
final judgment because he knows that Christ is interceding for him. As Millard J. Erickson says, 
“Like a student who is thoroughly prepared for an examination, the Christian regards the last 
judgment, not with apprehensiveness, but with an anticipation, knowing that the result will be 
positive.”82

	Christ's intercession on behalf of his elect reflects the idea that he is actively preserving 
and protecting them until the end. Wayne Grudem concludes that Paul is “saying that Jesus 
continually lives in the presence of God to make specific requests and to bring petitions before 
God on our behalf.”83 Augustus Strong describes Christ's intercession on the behalf of the elect 
as “a special activity of Christ in securing, upon the ground of that sacrifice, whatever blessing 
comes to men, whether that blessing be temporal or spiritual.”84 This conclusion is drawn from 
an examination of the structure of Romans 8:31-39. The opening verses (8:31-34) function as a 
known premise as Paul describes the current situation for all believers and concludes with the
_____________________________
	81 G. C. Berkouwer, Faith and Perseverance (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1958), 138
	82 Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013), 926.
	83 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 627.
	84 Augustus H. Strong, Systematic Theology (Valley Forge: Judson, 1907), 774. 

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fact that Jesus is interceding for his people at the right hand of God (8:34). The affirmation of 
Christ's intercession is foundational to what Paul moves into next: the impossibility of his 
audience's separation from God (8:35, 38-39). Christ is described as having acted mightily on 
behalf of his people through love; therefore, there is nothing imaginable that can separate them 
from him.

Conclusion

Romans 8:31-39 is a passage that is appropriately mentioned in nearly every discussion on 
perseverance of the saints and is usually recognized as making an argument for continued 
assurance of salvation in the life of the believer based on the faithfulness of God. Paul's 
argument hinges on the love of God for his people being stronger than anything in creation that 
might pull them away from him, rendering loss of salvation as impossible. The status of 
believers' righteousness before God “depends entirely on divine love”85 and therefore will never 
be lost or forsaken. This passage, especially when combined with John 10:22-30, creates a 
compelling argument for denying the possibility of apostasy in genuinely regenerate believers. 
However, the understanding of these passages must be weighed appropriately against others that 
appear to say the opposite: genuine followers of Jesus Christ must be continually on guard 
against apostasy lest they find themselves counted among the faithless. In the following chapters, 
I will address Hebrews 6, James 5, and 2 Peter 2, which appear to affirm the opposite conclusion 
as that just noted in John 10 and Romans 8.
__________________________
	85 Robert Jewett, Romans, Hermeneia (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007), 554.

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Chapter 3
Hebrews 6:4-12

The epistle to the Hebrews has often held a contentious position in the history of the church, 
mainly because the author is unknown and its authority has been questioned. Its style features 
alternating blocks of exposition and exhortation and may have originally been a homily preached 
to an early church gathering. When one is considering the doctrine of the perseverance of the 
saints, Hebrews is included in the conversation because of its sixth chapter, which appears to 
affirm the idea that truly regenerate believers are able to fall away from their faith. Those 
arguing in favour of the doctrine of perseverance have two main responses to this apparent 
affirmation: either Hebrews 6 does not describe true Christians or it describes a hypothetical 
rather than actual situation. In the following chapter, I will exposit the Greek text of Hebrews 
6:4-12 before engaging with these doctrinal arguments.

Literary Context

The epistle to the Hebrews begins with a series of Old Testament quotations that the author uses 
to show that there has been a new revelation in salvation history because God has chosen to 
speak to his people through his Son, Jesus (1:1-2). This initial exposition concerning the 
supremacy of Jesus is immediately followed by an exhortation to “pay much closer attention to 

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what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (2:1). The author then moves into a discussion 
about how it was fitting for the “founder of their salvation” to be made “perfect through 
suffering” (2:10) and an explanation for Jesus being worthy of greater honour than Moses (3:16). 
This proclamation is followed by another warning as the author quotes from Psalm 95, which 
recalls Israel's rebellion in the wilderness and implores those listening to learn from their 
nation's past mistakes (3:7-11). He follows the quotation with an exhortation: “Take care, 
brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the 
living God” (3:12). The author uses the example of the wilderness generation to warn his 
audience of the possibility of apostasy because those who died in the wilderness had witnessed 
the liberation of Israel from Egypt through the mighty acts of God but chose to rebel against him 
anyway.

	God promised his people rest in the land, but they were never given full rest because of 
their disobedience (4:6); the author then exhorts the recipients of the letter to “strive to enter that 
rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience” (4:11). The striving that the author 
calls his recipients to is always augmented by the work of the newly revealed high priest: Jesus 
Christ. Since as high priest Jesus knows human frailty, he is able to sympathize with and assist 
his people in striving after God, but because he is perfect he does not need to offer sacrifices on 
his own behalf; he may focus his priestly efforts on his people (4:15). The author then mentions 
the priesthood of Melchizedek but quickly turns to another exhortation because of the lack of 
spiritual progress in the congregation. He points out that they are more suited for introductory 
matters instead of more advanced teachings (5:10-14). Despite the claim that his audience is not 
ready for elementary doctrines, the author declares that he will nevertheless move on to a more 

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mature discussion. Before he does this, however, he will again exhort them to avoid apostasy at 
all costs.

Exposition86

Hebrews 6:4-6 contains a series of participial phrases describing in detail those for whom it is 
impossible to be restored to repentance after they have fallen away. The author describes them as 
“once enlightened, tasting the heavenly gift, being a companion/sharer in/of the Holy Spirit, and 
having tasted the goodness of God's word and the powers of the coming age.” Despite these 
glowing descriptors, they are also said to have “fallen away.” Their restoration is deemed 
impossible because in their rejection of Christ they are essentially crucifying him again and 
exposing him to public ridicule.

	The author begins with a statement that brackets the bulk of the description: “it is
impossible ... to restore (them) again to repentance” (6:4, 6). The word translated as 
“impossible” is adunaton and carries two meanings: incapable87 and impossible.88 The latter 
meaning should be emphasized for this context because of the warning nature of the passage and 
the author's use of the same word elsewhere in the epistle to describe impossible situations 
(6:18; 10:4; 11:6).89 The sentence itself is structured in such a way that whatever is impossible is 
not known until the conclusion of the statement, after the series of participial phrases which 
serve to emphasize that it is impossible to restore apostates.90 The main verb in the conclusion 
(anakainizo) is typically translated as “renew” or “restore” and it has the added meaning “to
______________________

	86 For the author's translation of Hebrews 6:4-12, see Appendix C.
	87 BDAG, 22; Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 678,
	88 BDAG, 22; Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 669.
	89 Kevin L. Anderson, Hebrews: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, New Beacon 
Bible Commentary (Kansas City: Beacon Hill, 201), 187; Paul Ellingworth, The Epistle to the 
Hebrews, NIGTC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993), 318-9; John Calvin, Commentaries on the 
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews, trans. John Owen (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979), 135.
	90 Simon J. Kistemaker, Hebrews, NTC (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), 157. 

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cause a change to a previous, preferable state.”91 The use of this verb is telling in that it implies 
that the previous state of those being described is much better than their current state, but also 
that they were previously in a true state of repentance. Their former condition is impossible to 
restore.

	The former condition of those described in this exhortatory passage can be drawn from 
the content in the middle of the two phrases discussed above concerning the impossibility of 
restoration. The first of this series of participial descriptions is that they “were once enlightened” 
(6:4b). There is some discussion concerning the nature of the Greek word hapax (“once”) and 
whether it applies only to the first participle or to all of them. Since all of these short phrases 
work together to illustrate the former condition of an apostate, it seems likely that the hapax 
encompasses the entire section instead of merely referring to the first,92 which is the verb 
photizo. Photizo can be used in either the literal sense of “to function as a source of light”93 or 
the figurative sense “to cause something to be fully known by revealing clearly and in some 
detail,”94 or when it is used in the passive voice (like here) it means for something to have been 
fully revealed to someone (note its use in 10:32). The exact meaning of their previous 
enlightenment has been speculated over ever since Justin Martyr identified enlightenment with 
baptism.95 Although this interpretation has some historical precedent, other uses of the word 
throughout the New Testament support its meaning as a description of “those who have come out 
of darkness into the light and so have gone through the necessary conversion of the imagination
______________________
	91 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 157; Muraoka, Lexicon, 40.
	92 Ellingworth, Hebrews, 319; William L. Lane, Hebrews 1-8, WBC (Dallas: Word, 
1991), 141.
	93 BDAG, 1074.
	94 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 338-9
	95 George Wesley Buchanan, To the Hebrews, AB (Garden City: Doubleday, 1972), 106; 
Gareth Lee Cockerill, The Epistle to the Hebrews, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012), 
269.

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and intellect.”96 This means that the first phrase is likely referring to the idea of genuine
regeneration. The theological ramifications of this interpretation will be discussed below.

	The second participial phrase in this description is “who have tasted the heavenly gift” 
(6:4c). The main issue in this phrase is the meaning of the verb geuomai which is translated as 
“taste.” This verb can mean either to taste/eat something97 or “to experience something 
cognitively or emotionally.”98 Although it is possible for the idea of “tasting” something to refer 
to a very small and literal taste, it seems more likely to be a reference to a legitimate experience 
based on the same word being used earlier in Hebrews to describe Christ's death (2:9).99 Gareth 
Cockerill describes this verb choice as “[demonstrating] that those described have not just been 
taught about these realities but have truly experienced them.”100 Of course, something should be 
said about the heavenly gift that they have tasted. Although the details are not clear in the 
passage itself, the heavenly gift most likely refers to “a general image for the gracious bestowal 
of salvation, with all that entails - the [Spirit], forgiveness, and sanctification.”101 If this is 
accurate, it is more likely that the author of Hebrews is discussing the possibility of genuine 
apostasy.

	The third participial description in this passage is that they “were made a companion of 
the Holy Spirit” (6:4d). There are two Greek words worth noting briefly in this phrase: ginomai 
and metoxos. Ginomai is a common “being” verb so its meaning is very similar to eimi , but it
____________________________
	96 Ben Witherington III, Letters and Homilies for Jewish Christians: A Socio-Rhetorical 
Commentary on Hebrews, James and Jude (Downers Grove: IVP, 2007), 212; see also Jn. 1:9, 2 
Cor. 4:4-6, Eph. 1:18, 2 Tim. 1:10, and 1 Pet. 2:9.
	97 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 249, 284.
	98 BDAG, 195.
	99 Anderson, Hebrews, 188; Witherington III, Letters and Homilies, 212.
	100 Cockerill, Hebrews, 270.
	101 Harold W. Attridge, Hebrews, Hermeneia (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1989),170; Lane,
Hebrews 1-8, 141.

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usually carries the implication that what is being described is in a different state from before; it 
usually denotes a change in status or being.102 The use of ginomai instead of eimi could reveal that 
there was a true change in status or understanding for those described in that they became 
companions of the Holy Spirit. For example, the author uses ginomai as “become” in 5:9 and 
11:7. The first describes Jesus in his high priestly role as becoming “the source of eternal 
salvation to all who obey him,” (5:9) demonstrating a new understanding for those who obey 
Christ as Jesus becomes their high priest. The second describes Noah becoming “an heir of the 
righteousness that comes by faith,” showing that Noah underwent a change in status through his 
faith. The other notable word, metoxos (companion, partner), is used two other times in Hebrews 
in the context of a group participating “in a heavenly calling” and “in Christ” (3:1, 14). The use 
of this word in 6:4d shows that those being described are true Christians, having become 
companions of the Holy Spirit. Their relationship with the Holy Spirit proves as much based on 
the author's earlier assertion that participating “in the Holy Spirit is the hallmark of being a 
Christian.”103

	The fourth participial phrase describes the apostates as having “tasted the goodness of 
God's word and the powers of the coming age” (6:5). Similar to the previous phrase that used the 
participial form of geuomai, the repeated use of the verb here should also be taken as experience 
instead of merely sampling the nouns that follow. What is tasted, “the goodness of God's word,” 
may refer to Old Testament stories of God's promises being fulfilled. Joshua 23:14-15 refers to 
the conquest of Canaan as God's good word being fulfilled, while Jeremiah 29:10 and 33:14 
utilize the language of promise in order to give hope to Judah in exile.104 Psalm 34 presents a
_______________________
	102 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 150; BDAG, 198.
	103 Witherington III, Letters and Homilies, 212. See also Heb. 2:4.
	104 Buchanan, Hebrews, 106-7.

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phrase that is most similar to that used by the author of Hebrews when it exhorts to “taste and see 
that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8), further demonstrating Old Testament precedent for the idea 
conveyed here. The audience of Hebrews had already experienced God's faithfulness and could 
therefore trust in his long-term promises as well. In mentioning that they have experienced “the 
powers of the coming age” the author is possibly connecting this description to his earlier 
description of God as bearing “witness by signs and wonders and various miracles” (2:4).105 At 
the very least, the description presented in 6:5 points to participation in spiritual events that are 
usually reserved for the final consummation of the heavenly kingdom, pointing toward a fuller 
description of people who have had a genuine conversion experience.

	The last participial phrase is the one that causes much controversy, as it creates contrast 
with the previous phrases by claiming that they have “fallen away” (6:6a). The verb used is 
parapipto, which denotes “[abandoning] a former relationship or association”106 or “[failing] to 
follow through on a commitment.”107 This word conveys a conscious choice to dissociate with 
former companions. Instead of speaking of falling away as “accidentally or carelessly falling 
down,” the author describes it “in the sense of deliberately stepping into a black hole.”108 When 
taken alongside the previous descriptions of a seemingly legitimate regenerate member of the 
Christian community, this is a drastic decision. They have experienced true spiritual life, but 
similarly to the wilderness generation in Exodus, they have knowingly rejected God (note 3:711, 
which cites Psalm 95:7-11). Israel's example reveals the reason why the author claims that it
______________________
	105 Kistemaker, Hebrews, 159.
	106 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 449.
	107 BDAG, 770.
	108 Witherington III, Letters and Homilies, 214.

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is impossible to restore them: “the willful sin which [they have] in mind is deliberate 
apostasy.”109 They cannot be restored.

	Following the statement that they cannot be restored, the author explains why this is the 
case: “they are crucifying again the Son of God to themselves and are exposing him to public 
ridicule” (6:6c). The author uses the word anastaurow here, which may simply mean “to 
crucify” (same meaning as staurow) but in this context may mean “to crucify again.”110 The key 
to interpreting the use of this word in this context involves the word that directly follows: 
paradeigmatizo. This verb means “to cause someone to suffer public disgrace,”111 a necessary 
aspect of crucifixion. The apostates described have unequivocally decided to sever “their 
relationship with the Son of God,”112 revealing a hardened heart against God's grace. Hebrews 
6:4-6 seems to present a description of a true Christian who has rejected the teachings of Christ; 
the author appears concerned that the audience has begun to be sluggish in their own faith (note 
5:11). The audience has not yet become wilful dissenters, but they are told that if they continue 
down the path described they will not be able to return.

	The author then uses an agricultural analogy to emphasize his point in 6:7-8 (“for the 
land drinking the rain ... shares in the blessing from God; but producing thorns and thistles ... its 
purpose is burning”). There is some notable discussion concerning the identity of the land 
described because the author may be describing one plot of land or two. The latter position 
seems to be influenced by the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4 and claims that the fruitful land 
represents the true believer while the desolate land represents one of the three other soils Jesus
___________________
	109 F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990), 
149.
	110 BDAG, 72; Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 237.
	111 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 311.
	112 Anderson, Hebrews, 191.

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describes.113 However, the former possibility is much more likely: the author is describing two 
possibilities for one piece of land, possibly drawing on the vineyard passage in Isaiah 5.

	Isaiah 5:1-7 describes Judah as a vineyard planted by God that will only bear wild fruit. It 
is subsequently judged and has its divine protection removed. This comparison is not precisely 
the same as Hebrews 6:7-8, but the principle that God's people should produce what God expects 
of them is similar enough to warrant at least some continuity (see also Luke 13:6-9). In Hebrews, 
the one piece of land represents the potential apostate in that it has drunk the rain of God's 
blessing and will either produce a fruitful crop or not. The apostate will not be suffered lightly as 
the unfruitful land is described as “worthless and on the verge of being cursed, its end is 
burning” (6:8). This image builds on the previous description of the fate of apostates because it 
reveals that those who have received God's grace and yet refuse to produce fruit deserve 
judgement from God.114 There is a line of thought that claims that the burning of a field may be 
intended to restore it by destroying weeds and other detriments to agriculture, but the language 
used by the author of Hebrews is clearly punishment from God.115

	Following this grim description, the author of Hebrews shifts into a section of 
encouragement as he tells them that “we have been persuaded concerning you, beloved, if we 
speak in this way, that you have better things approaching salvation” (6:9). The first word used 
in this sentence is peitho), a word that is used here in the perfect aspect and passive voice. This 
means that the meaning of the verb is akin to “[believing] in something or someone to the extent 
of placing reliance or trust in or on.”116 The author is assuring his audience that although 
apostasy is a real possibility, he does not believe that this is their fate. He softens the reality of
_________________________
	113 Kistemaker, Hebrews, 165.
	114 Cockerill, Hebrews, 278.
	115 Attridge, Hebrews, 173.
	116 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 376. 

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the previous warning by calling his audience “beloved” for the only time in the epistle, a word 
that functions as “a term of endearment” but also as “an affirmation of their unity with the 
[author] as part of God's people.”117 Despite the bleak picture of the fate of apostates in 6:4-8, 
the author is seeking to convince his audience that they can rest assured that the description will 
not apply to them.

	The reason for this assurance is given in the next verse: “For God is not unjust to neglect 
your work and the love that you show in his name, having served the saints and continuing to 
serve” (6:10). The former belief and action of the audience is offered as sufficient proof for their 
continued perseverance because God will not forget them. It is likely that the author had 
particular instances of their past faithfulness and good works in mind based on 10:32-34,118 
where he describes their “former days” where they suffered many trials and assisted less 
fortunate members in their community after their “enlightenment.” The audience has been 
known to act in such a way that their conversion was recognized by God, but this is only 
secondary proof for their continued salvation. The primary evidence is the author's knowledge of 
God's character.119 The point being made is that God will remain faithful to those he has 
previously enlightened since the author appeals to the previous state of the audience and their 
ability to persevere through many trials and hardships. Past examples of God's promises to those 
who do his will (10:37) should serve to embolden his people in the present. Since the audience 
has shown that they were capable of doing godly work through love, God will surely remember 
them in the future. This reminder of their past likely serves a double purpose: reminding them of 
their previous state of faithful endurance as well as of God's past faithfulness.
___________________________
	117 Cockerill, Hebrews, 280.
	118 Lane, Hebrews 1-8, 144.
	119 Witherington III, Letters and Homilies, 220.

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	The last two verses of this section consist of another exhortation in order to spur the 
audience on to being “imitators of those who receive the promises through faith and patience” 
(6:12). The phrase “those who receive the promises” is notable in that faith and patience are 
indicative of Abraham (who is brought into the discussion in the following section) but may also 
include all of the departed faithful listed in ch. 11,120 which further ties this section into the larger 
context of the epistle. The author is attempting to motivate his audience to faithful action through 
imitation of the example of Jesus, the perfect high priest. The Christian life is not simply 
concerned with intellectually knowing the truth, but with “[translating] Christian conviction into 
action that will express the quality of hope that distinguishes the Church from other 
contemporary clubs and societies.”121 The author is concerned with the church's witness in a 
polytheistic world and is trying to demonstrate that “above all, fidelity to the God who promises 
salvation”122 is important. Fidelity to God is shown through patiently and joyfully enduring 
difficult times as well as having compassion on others who are suffering (10:32-34).

Contribution to the Doctrine of Perseverance

Hebrews 6:4-12 is often cited as a proof against the doctrine of perseverance of the saints. Verses 
4-6 are particularly important because the nature of the warning is debated through questioning 
the salvation of the person described. One side asserts that the author is not describing a true 
Christian123 or that the author is merely engaging in a rhetorical device meant to convince the 
recipients to faithful action. The other side claims that Hebrews 6:4-12 is an example of the 
Bible affirming that genuine apostasy is possible not just for nominal “believers” but for the truly
__________________________________
	120 Cockerill, Hebrews, 283.
	121 Lane, Hebrews 1-8, 144.
	122 Attridge, Hebrews, 176.
	123 Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1941), 289.
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regenerate as well. This specific theological discussion will form the content for the rest of this 
chapter.

	Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology provides an example of how those supporting the 
doctrine will interpret Hebrews 6:6-4 as he goes through his reasoning for why the author of 
Hebrews is not describing genuine believers. Some of the key words that he discusses include 
photizo (“enlighten”), and geuomai (“taste”), but he focuses on the word for “repentance” while 
not mentioning anakainizo (“restore”), which is arguably more relevant to the discussion. 
Concerning “enlighten,” Grudem states that it “simply means that they came to understand the 
truths of the gospel, not that they responded to those truths with genuine saving faith.”124 
However, later in the epistle the same word is used to describe the audience in their earlier days: 
“after you were enlightened [photisthentes], you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,” 
(10:32). The enlightening described in ch. 10 resulted in actions as drastic as “joyfully 
[accepting] the plundering of [their] property” because they “had a better possession and an 
abiding one,” namely Christ (10:34). It does not stand to reason that the author would use 
“enlighten” here in reference to a very real and life-changing conversion if he had previously 
used it to describe something that was disingenuous. Both uses of the verb should be understood 
consistently. It is likely that if only a cursory understanding of the faith was meant by the author, 
then it would not be fitting for an assembly who remained faithful during persecution and 
difficulty.125
	Grudem argues that the “taste” described in Hebrews 6:4-5 “is temporary and one might 
or might not decide to accept the thing that is tasted.”126 He also notes that there is a figurative
_______________________
	124 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 796.
	125 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 142
	126 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 797.

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sense to the word. Grudem determines that “they came to understand it and have some 
experience of spiritual power,”127 but he decides that their “experience” was not indicative of 
regeneration. A significant problem with Grudem's view is the author's use of the same word to 
describe Christ's death in 2:9: “so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” 
The author's use of the same word to describe Christ's death should be indicative of the meaning 
intended by the word because Christ fully experienced death on behalf of everyone; Jesus did not 
partially die only to decide that continuing to live would be better.128 It is possible to interpret 
Christ's “tasting” death in light of the resurrection in that he experienced it for a short time, but 
this unduly brings an unnecessary point into the immediate context of 2:9. The point of the 
passage is that Jesus suffered in the flesh in order to “become a merciful and faithful high priest 
in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (2:17) through the blood 
shed during his death. Since the verb “tasted” is used here to describe the experience of Jesus on 
behalf of his people, it is likely that the author of Hebrews also uses it to describe people who 
have genuinely experienced “the heavenly gift.”

	Grudem mentions that the texts says “it is impossible ‘to restore again to repentance' 
people who have experienced these things and have then committed apostasy.”129 He explains 
that the use of repentance here “does not need to refer to inward heart repentance unto salvation” 
but that it may simply refer to a temporary change of mind.130 This interpretation places 
emphasis on one word to the detriment of another: “restore.” As stated above, the meaning of the 
word itself implies bringing something back to a previously attained and better state, so this 
statement is saying that their previous state of “repentance” was preferable to their current one.
________________________
	127 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 797.
	128 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 142.
	129 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 798. Italics original.
	130 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 798-9.

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But how much better off could they be if they were not truly repentant? Grudem's analysis of the 
passage exemplifies the biases of a system that separates the parts of a passage instead of 
understanding them as a whole. Each of these phrases is meant to stand together to create “a 
composite picture” of a Christian.131 The author of Hebrews clearly has genuine believers in 
mind during this discussion of apostasy.

	Despite the fact that the author of Hebrews is describing genuine Christians in 6:4-6, the 
argument is occasionally made that he is simply describing a purely hypothetical situation in 
order to convince his audience to be more faithful Christians. Hebrews 6:9 is claimed to hold 
interpretive authority; it states that although apostasy was just described in 6:4-6 the author does 
not think that apostasy is a possible fate for his audience.132 Unfortunately, the text itself does not 
give an indication that this is the case.133 If the author does not believe that Christians can 
become apostates, then according to this theory he is essentially trying to scare them into 
becoming mature. The author creates a distinction between the apostates and his audience in his 
use of pronouns; during the description of the apostates, the author uses impersonal third-person 
language and shifts to more personal second-person language during the more comforting part.134 
The reason for this could be because he wants to separate his audience from the real possibility 
of apostasy while also identifying them with perseverance. It seems very unlikely that the author 
has a purely hypothetical situation in mind (in the sense that it is hypothetical in the case of the 
audience in particular but not overall) because the argument would lose its rhetorical force.

	It is possible that the greatest appeal from the passage to support perseverance of the 
saints is 6:10 because it explains the reason for the author's confidence in the continued
_____________________
	131 Anderson, Hebrews, 189.
	132 Strong, Systematic Theology, 885; Erickson, Christian Theology, 921.
	133 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 146; Shank, Life in the Son, 177.
	134 Shank, Life in the Son, 177-8. 

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faithfulness for his audience: God's just character. Erickson mentions this verse in his systematic 
theology, but he only discusses it with reference to the audience's “past work and love” in order 
to prove that they will ultimately not fall away.135 As mentioned above, the primary reason for 
the author's assurance that his audience will not ultimately fall away is rooted in God's 
character: “he is not unjust” (6:10). Continuing in salvation is based on God's faithfulness to his 
people, not their own works or effort in persevering, at least that is why the author is so 
convinced that his audience will not fall away.

Conclusion

There is something mysterious going on in Hebrews 6 that cannot be easily resolved. The author 
warns his audience that if they fall away from the faith there will be no opportunity for them to 
return. However, after this stern warning, the author then declares that he is not worried about 
this possibility for them in particular because of God's justice and his remembrance of their past 
works for his name. The appeal in 6:9-10 seems to imply that there is a universal precedent for 
trusting that God will continue to sustain those who have already demonstrated faith in him, but 
it does not negate the legitimacy of the warning given earlier. Hebrews 6:4-12 encapsulates the 
mysterious nature of the perseverance of the saints in that it affirms God preserving his people 
because of his character and faithfulness, but it also recognizes the requirement for his people to 
become “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (6:12).

___________________
	135 Erickson, Christian Theology, 921.

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Chapter 4
James 5:19-20

The book of James holds an interesting place in the history of the Bible because its canonicity 
has been questioned due to its emphasis on works. The structure of the book has segments 
dealing with varying materials in an almost circular fashion; themes are very nearly alternated 
throughout the epistle. Concerning the discussion pertaining to perseverance of the saints, the 
last two verses of the letter are relevant to the present discussion despite not appearing to flow 
from its immediate literary context. Nevertheless, a brief examination of the literary context will 
be necessary before the specific details of the relevant passage, James 5:19-20, is examined and 
the theological contributions explained.

Literary Context

The book of James begins with a series of short sections that appear to be dealing with multiple 
topics that include endurance during trials and persecution (1:2-4, 12-15), seeking godly wisdom 
(1:5-8), and the importance of action in response to knowing God's commands (1:19-27). Then 
James explains to his readers that the church is to avoid showing partiality based on worldly 
affluence (2:1-13) before returning to the idea that true faith in God is shown through faithful 
works (2:14-26). Chapter 3 begins with a section on the importance of restraining the destructive

44



tendencies of the human tongue (3:1-12), which may be an expansion of 1:19-20: “Know this, 
my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the 
anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” The remaining verses of chapter 3 
continue the theme of wisdom by comparing “wisdom from above” with wisdom that is “earthly, 
spiritual, [and] demonic” (3:13-18).

	James 4 opens with a section encouraging the recipients to forsake friendship with the 
world in favour of friendship and brotherhood with each other (4:1-12). The idea that his 
audience is beginning to subtly embrace worldliness is likely an expansion on the exhortation to 
avoid partiality because of the world's tendencies to place value on possessions and affluence 
instead of on more important things. Chapter 4 concludes with a short section on boasting about 
what the future will look like. In this section, James emphasizes the fragility of human life (4:1317), 
possibly expanding on 1:10: “because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.” This 
reference to 1:10 is actually picked up in more detail in chapter 5 where James describes the 
futility of striving after temporal riches because they are easily destroyed (5:1-6). The next 
section describes the value of suffering (see 1:2-4, 12-15) and God's faithfulness in remembering 
those who suffer for his sake (5:7-11). The theme of suffering is also foundational for the last 
large section of the letter (5:13-18) where James encourages confession and prayer as a remedy 
for bodily illnesses as he notes the power that can be imbued through the prayer of a righteous 
man (citing Elijah causing a drought). It is difficult to locate James 5:19-20 in the context of 
what comes before the command, since it seems to be disconnected from its context. However, in 
considering the bigger themes in James, the last section may be connected to faithful action as a 
response to genuine belief (2:14-26) in God in that a living faith will seek to restore wandering 
believers.

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Exposition136


James begins 5:19-20, these final two verses (or final statement, since they make up one 
sentence), by addressing his audience as “brothers” (adelphoi). In doing so, he signifies his 
connection with them, as well as identifying his audience as “siblings in the family of God.”137 
After this reminder and comforting address, he moves into a conditional statement marked by the 
use of the particle ean.138 Since this particle is combined with the use of the subjunctive mood of 
n/planaow (planaythay), it is most likely within the third class of conditional statements.139 Although 
the subjunctive is sometimes used to note varying levels of possibility, this possibility is 
determined by the context more than the mood of the verb itself.140 Since James seems to be 
mainly concerned with practicality, it seems unlikely that he would present a purely hypothetical 
situation to exhort his audience. So, unless there is concrete evidence from the text itself that this 
condition is meant to be hypothetical, it should be seen as a legitimate possibility.

	James' warning to his audience is defined by the verb planaow, which may be translated 
as being led astray because it is used in the passive voice. The active voice of the verb usually 
conveys the act of influencing someone else in order to cause them to wander (“to cause to go 
astray from the specific way”141). Since it is used in the passive here, it seems as though James is 
envisioning a situation where an exterior threat is influencing his audience; however, his
_____________________________
	136 For the author's translation of James 5:19-20, see Appendix D.
	137 Dan G. McCartney, James, BECNT (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009), 262.
	138 Scot McKnight, The Letter of James, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011), 453; 
Luke Timothy Johnson, The Letter of James, AB (New York: Doubleday, 1995), 337.
	139 Mathewson and Emig, Intermediate Greek Grammar, 239; Daniel B. Wallace, Greek 
Grammar Beyond the Basics: an Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: 
Zondervan, 1996), 696.
	140 Mathewson and Emig, Intermediate Greek Grammar, 165.
	141 BDAG, 821; see also Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 366-7.

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exhortation does not mention what this exterior threat is. Instead James focuses on the role of the 
congregation in bringing the wanderer back into the fold.

	In the situation that James describes someone is understood to have brought the wanderer 
back, an action described by the verb epistrepho (epistrephay). In the context described by James 
(someone being led astray from the truth), the most likely meaning for epistrepho is “to return to 
a point where one has been.”142 This meaning is most likely since it appears James has in mind 
the restoration to a former state. James is writing this in order to show that the community has a 
responsibility to its members; if someone falls, there should be someone else ready to pick that 
person up.143 It is important to note that the two verbs used are understood in the context of each 
other because this scenario seems to require a wandering and a restoration. The reality of the 
wandering is described in the second half of the statement: 5:20.

	The opening verb in 5:20 is the third person imperative ginosketo, meaning that it is a 
command for someone to know what follows in the sentence. The nearest referent in the previous 
clause would be the person who corrects the wandering brother, meaning that the following 
information is for those who have remained faithful to the church. Once again, the verb 
epistrepho is used to describe the action that James expects from his audience, although in this 
context it is a participle instead of a subjunctive. In this case it is functioning as the nominative 
of the clause and the subject for the main verbs sosei and kalupsei: “the one who turns ... saves 
... and covers .

	Although sowzo can be used to convey “rescue from natural disasters”144 and “[causing] 
someone to become well again after being sick,”145 here it is most likely used in the sense of
_______________________
	142 BDAG, 382; Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 194.
	143 Douglas J. Moo, James, TNTC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985), 189.
	144 BDAG, 982.

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“[causing] someone to experience divine salvation.”146 This conclusion is reached through the
phrasing that immediately follows in that the sinner is saved from death (ek thanatou). This 
statement is joined with what follows with a kai, meaning that both of the indicative verbs have 
the same subject. The second indicative verb is kalupto and can mean “to cause something to be 
covered over and hence not visible”147 or “to cause something not to be known.”148 In this case, 
the object that is being covered is “a multitude of sins,” which likely means that James is 
conveying the idea of forgiveness instead of a superficial covering.

Theological Contributions

James 5:19-20 is not mentioned as often as the other passages in discussions surrounding 
perseverance of the saints. Perhaps theologians do not view it as particularly relevant to the 
debate. However, the plain meaning of the text appears to describe a situation where a member 
of the believing community has wandered away into apostasy. It is necessary to engage with it 
alongside the other passages because it adds some nuance to the discussion. James' concern does 
not appear to be the possibility of apostasy, but rather the church's requirement to bring 
wanderers back.

	Marshall explains that the purpose of the final section of James is in reference to 
situations where “men sin and do not bother to seek forgiveness by confession of their sin,” 
supported by James' exhortation to confession in 5:16.149 Marshall appears to consider that those 
in question are backsliders and also notes the responsibility of the congregation in that they
_____________________
	145 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 269.
	146 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 242; see also the second definition in BDAG, 982.
	147 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 705.
	148 BDAG, 505; Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 345
	149 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 160. 

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“have the duty of seeking to save him from condemnation.”150 The backsliding believer is in real 
danger in that if they continue in their wandering ways they will be subject to death. However, 
Marshall also draws attention to the fact that the emphasis is not placed on the exact situation of 
the one who has wandered but is instead on the results of the action of bringing them back.151 
James' concern was not to define the situation of the wandering believer precisely because he 
was more focused on the goal of bringing them back into the community of believers.

	It should be clear that James does not indicate that there have been situations where 
apostasy has already occurred. Instead, he is dealing with the possibility.152 James' use of the 
word for “wander” plays into the discussion here because if he meant something a little stronger 
then he would have used something like “disowned.”153 At the very least, James is describing a 
public falling away instead of “merely a private change of theology or thought.”154 Blomberg 
and Kamell claim that the passage does not really settle the debate on one side or the other but is 
perhaps left purposefully ambiguous. Instead, James focuses on a call to action: bring the 
wanderer back to the community, whether they are apostates or backsliders.155 In that way, 
James is truly concerned with the saving of souls.

	In his discussion of James 5:19-20, Peter H. Davids makes the following observations.
The letter of James has been written in order to correct wanderings taking place in the 
community of believers, so this final exhortation to restore wandering brothers sums up the
_________________________
	150 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 160.
	151 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 160.
	152 Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James, ECNT (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 
2008), 248.
	153 Blomberg and Kamell, James, 248.
	154 Blomberg and Kamell, James, 248.
	155 Blomberg and Kamell, James, 253. 

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letter.156 He also claims that James is reminding his audience that “the one who brings an erring 
brother or sister to repentance delivers them from total death - total death that would happen at 
the final judgment if they did not repent.”157 The idea that James 5 is describing true spiritual 
death is supported by Augustus Strong who says that “‘death' is frequently used in Scripture in a 
moral and spiritual sense, as denoting absence of that which constitutes the true life of the soul, 
namely, the presence and favor of God.”158 Therefore, it seems clear that apostasy is possible if 
James is concerned with bringing wandering brothers back in order to keep them from death. 
Davids also notes that this may result in an uncomfortable realization that there are people in the 
community of believers who are in real danger, but this fits within James' main concern to 
exhort the community to truly faithful living.159

Conclusion

Although James 5 is only mentioned in a handful of theological contexts that engage with the 
doctrine of perseverance of the saints, it still addresses a situation where a genuine member of 
the believing community has wandered from the truth. Admittedly, the language used by James 
is not as forceful as other warnings, but his main concern is not to describe all of the details of 
the apostate's condition. He is more concerned with saving the soul of the wandering believer 
because he recognizes that they are at risk of spiritual death.
____________________________
	156 Peter H. Davids, A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude, Biblical Theology of the NewTestament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 70.
	157 Davids, A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude., 71.
	158 Strong, Systematic Theology, 659.
	159 Strong, Systematic Theology, 85.

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Chapter 5

2 Peter 2:20-22

Peter's second letter is relatively short, but it contains an important theme in that it stresses the 
need for true knowledge of God. This knowledge will lead to surety in one's own calling and 
election and protect believers against false teachers. Peter's exhortation to this effect is made 
certain by his eyewitness accounts of Jesus (1:16). For the present discussion of perseverance of 
the saints, 2 Peter 2:20-22 is of particular interest because it appears to describe a situation where 
truly regenerate believers are in a nearly hopeless state after being entangled by what they had 
previously escaped: worldly defilements. This chapter will briefly examine these three verses 
and discuss their relevance to the larger discussion of the doctrine in question.

Literary Context 

2 Peter begins with a greeting and salutation that is similar to those in other biblical epistles. The 
first main section of the letter contains an encouragement for the audience to grow in godly 
virtues so that they would become more effective in their knowledge of God (1:5-9). Peter also 
encourages his audience through the following promise: “if you practice these qualities you will 
never fall” (1:10). Peter then reveals his intention to continually remind his audience of godly 
qualities they should aspire to have so that they might remember his teaching after his death 

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(1:12-15). Peter's reason for highlighting his teaching like this is that he was an eyewitness of 
the majesty of Jesus Christ (1:16). His teaching has authority because of his experience with 
Jesus, just as the prophets' authority came from the work of the Holy Spirit through them (1:21).

	Chapter 2 introduces the idea of false teachers who are attempting to lead the people 
astray, just like false prophets in the Old Testament (2:1). Peter then encourages his audience 
through listing a series of examples where God punished the wicked while sparing the righteous 
(2:4-9), including the stories of Noah and Lot. Peter then goes on to describe the foolishness of 
the false teachers as they “do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones” (2:10) and “count 
it pleasure to revel in the daytime” (2:13). These men are also described as having “gone astray” 
(2:15), which serves to clarify this passage's inclusion in a discussion on perseverance of the 
saints. Peter also describes them as “waterless springs and mists driven by a storm” (2:17), 
further cementing his view that their teachings are ultimately fruitless; they are unable to fulfill 
the promises that they made to those they have led astray, possibly leading to their destruction as 
well.

Exposition160


For the sake of brevity, only the most important words and phrases will be dealt with in the 
expositional section. First, the people being discussed have at one time “escaped the defilements 
of the world.” The verb used here is apophugontes and is a nominative participle and can be 
simply translated as “escape (from).”161 Peter uses this verb two other times in this letter (see 
also 1:4 and 2:18) to describe salvation, and it is likely that he is using the same meaning here.162 
What they have escaped from is described using the word miasmata, which can be “a state of
______________
	160 For the author's translation of 2 Peter 2:20-22, see Appendix E.
	161 BDAG, 125.
	162 Gene L. Green, Jude & 2 Peter, BECNT (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008), 300. 

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mind being tainted or stained by evil”163 and has been translated as defilement. Taking these two 
words together, Peter is describing people who have been sufficiently freed from the evil of the 
world.

	The next description is that they are “being entangled by these again [and] are 
overcome.” A key word in this phrase is palin, which usually conveys some sort of repetition;164 
in this case, it likely refers to those who had once escaped the world but are entangled in it 
again.165 In discussing the verb translated as “being entangled” (emplakentes), it is important to 
keep in mind that the passive voice is being used. The passive shows that the action of the verb is 
being done to the subject. In this case, leaving the community is described as external action 
threatening the members of the congregation. Describing the danger as entanglement conjures an 
image of a trap that is waiting for an unsuspecting traveller. Peter is hoping that through his 
exhortation his audience will be properly equipped to avoid the trap. The two states described in 
the last phrase of 2:20 (“the last [state] has become worse than the first”) are very likely referring 
to “pre-escape” and “re-defilement.” If it was simply that their newly fallen state is worse than 
when they were saved, it would not actually warrant much comment. The exposition of the next 
section will clarify the interpretation of this one.

	2 Peter 2:21 begins with the post-positive conjunction gar (“for”), which often acts as a 
link between clauses and introduces a reason for a previous claim.166 In this case, gar signifies 
the reason why their “last (state) is worse than the first.” Peter states, “For it would be better for 
them not to know the way of righteousness than having known it to turn back from the holy 
commandment” (2:21). It is clear that Peter is talking about people who have recognized	
___________________________
	163 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 770.
	164 BDAG, 752; Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 790.
	165 Jerome H. Neyrey, 2 Peter, Jude, AB (New York: Doubleday, 1993), 218.
	166 Mathewson and Emig, Intermediate Greek Grammar, 265. 

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(epiginosko) the “way of righteousness”167 and have subsequently “[turned] back” (epistrepho) 
from it. Epiginosko may convey the idea of recognition, but in this case I have translated it as 
“know” because it may mean to “possess more or less definite information about, possibly with a 
degree of thoroughness or competence..”168 The people being described here have clearly had 
some sort of knowledge regarding Jesus and salvation. They are also described as having 
“[turned] back” through the use of epistrepho (see James 5:20). The meaning of this verb has 
already been described with regard to James 5, and here in 2 Peter 2 a very similar meaning is 
intended: “to return to a point where one has been.”169 The difference is that where James used 
the verb to describe bringing someone back from their wandering, Peter is using it to describe 
someone who has returned to their pre-saved state.

	Peter combines two proverbs in 2:22 as he describes the situation of the apostates. Instead 
of walking away, many dogs seek to return to their own vomit to try and consume it again. A pig 
does not have a true sense of cleanliness, so after it is washed by its owner it will return to the 
mud.170 Both of these phrases involve futile cleansing in that the animal seems to immediately 
return to what has just been removed. In Peter's eyes, the apostates are people who have been 
legitimately cleaned but who (possibly seem eager to) return to their old ways; however, some 
scholars have used this comparison to claim that their nature was never actually changed and 
therefore they were never saved.

Theological Contributions
______________
	167 This makes the discussion concerning the identity of those discussed as either false 
teachers or disciples led astray moot for the discussion of perseverance of the saints; the 
important aspect is that they are true apostates.
	168 Louw and Nida, Lexicon, 334.
	169 BDAG, 382.
	170 Michael Green, 2 Peter and Jude, TNTC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987), 132.

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Robert Reymond lists 2 Peter 2:20-22 among passages that appear “to affirm that Christians 
either have fallen, may fall, or shall fall away from the estate of salvation and be finally lost.”171 
He goes on to say that “it needs to be stressed that those persons who have only this temporary 
faith were never God's elect and were never regenerated, and are therefore not true believers. 
The single greatest piece of evidence that this is so is the fact that they fall away from the 
faith.”172 Unfortunately, Reymond does not deal with this passage in particular detail so it is 
difficult to interact with his argument directly. However, Thomas R. Schreiner comments on 2 
Peter 2:20-22 in his commentary on the letters of Peter and Jude. He first appeals to 1 Peter 1:5 
as a proof against the possibility of genuine apostasy because it says “that God guards believers 
so that they will certainly, not probably, obtain eschatological salvation.”173 He goes on to 
explain that “the language used in 2 Peter is phenomenological” in that Peter used Christian 
language “to describe those who fell away because they gave every appearance of being 
Christians.”174 This conclusion seems to indicate that Peter used the same language to describe 
members of the visible and invisible church despite the fact that the two have very different 
statuses before God.

	Whenever there is an issue between clear and unclear passages, Scripture must be 
allowed to interpret Scripture, but this method becomes problematic when it is employed for 
multiple clear passages. What are the criteria for determining which passages are used to 
interpret others? From what I can tell (as a fairly unexperienced student), the main condition is 
whether or not a passage fits within a set doctrinal stance that has been previously decided to be
____________________
	171 Reymond, Systematic Theology, 788.
	172 Reymond, Systematic Theology, 790, this conclusion uses circular reasoning and 
should be avoided.
	173 Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, NAC (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 
2003), 364. Italics original.
	174 Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, 364.

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correct. Instead of allowing passages to stand on their own (or at least in their own immediate 
context), they are interpreted in light of passages that are dealing with a different context and 
audience so that they begin to mean something completely different than the plain meaning. It is 
troublesome to claim that Peter would use language that seems to be describing regenerate 
believers (“they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ,” 2:20) when he actually means people who were never actually 
Christian. To claim this is essentially to claim that Peter is intentionally deceiving his audience. 
This reasoning is counter-intuitive and should be avoided by those who wish to seriously study 
Scripture.

	The view that Peter is actually describing nominal Christians175 is challenged by Peter's 
claim that they are worse than they were previously. If those described had never actually 
believed, then there would be no reasonable penalty for continuing in unbelief. It is clear that 
those being discussed are in a worse position because “they no longer have the excuse of sinning 
unwittingly or in ignorance.”176 If their previous state was unchanged, then it would make little 
difference whether they continued in the congregation. They had saving knowledge of Christ's 
power and chose to reject it, which is a valid reason for them being in a worse state than 
previously.

	D. A. Carson appears to embrace a position contending that Peter's use of dogs and sows 
to refer to the false teachers means that they were never truly saved because Peter would never 
refer to Christians in that manner. He writes that “the two proverbs that Peter deploys in 2 Pet. 
2:22 powerfully make the same point by insisting that the fundamental nature of such people
___________________
	175 Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 549.
	176 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 170. 

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remains unchanged.”177 Carson claims that Peter felt justified in using proverbs about dogs and 
swine because he is describing people who were not truly regenerate. Unfortunately, Carson's 
interpretation neglects the earlier phrase that those described had already “escaped the 
defilements of the world.” This interpretation assumes that one verse is more foundational than 
another because of assumed theological preferences.

Conclusion

Despite not being covered in as many systematic theologies as passages like Romans 8 or 
Hebrews 6 in their discussions on perseverance of the saints, the preceding exposition should 
make it clear that it belongs in the conversation. Peter is clearly describing a situation where 
there were genuine believers in the community but who became apostates through entanglement 
with worldly defilements. Their rejection of the salvation through the knowledge of Jesus Christ 
has led them to a seemingly hopeless and terrible position, an assertion that emphasizes that they 
were in a regenerate state at one point. 2 Peter 2:20-22 challenges traditional notions of 
perseverance of the saints in that it confirms the possibility of genuine apostasy.
_________________
	177 D. A. Carson, “2 Peter,” in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old 
Testament, eds. G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007), 1058.

57



Conclusion

If anyone is to seriously study theology, they must become acquainted with the concepts of 
mystery and humility. Mystery is not a comforting thought because it admits that there is 
something that we are unable to fully know, but theology must admit some level of mystery. In 
discussing the contemplative action of simply meditating in God's presence, an unknown 
medieval author wrote that “you will feel frustrated, for your mind will be unable to grasp him, 
and your heart will not relish the delight of his love.”178 J. I. Packer describes a similar situation 
in the following quote taken from one of C. H. Spurgeon's sermons on the study of theology: 
“but when we come to this master science, finding that our [plumb line] cannot sound its depth, 
and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would 
be wise... ”179 The study of God requires us to embrace some aspect of mystery.

	Both of these authors use this aspect of divine mystery to introduce the humility that 
theology should inspire in those who truly seek to learn more of God. The medieval author 
responds to the human tendency towards pride in knowledge by teaching that “far from being 
conceited, you ought to be all the more humble and devoted to your heavenly Lord when you
__________________
	178 The Cloud of Unknowing and The Book of Privy Counselling, trans. William Johnston, 
(New York: Image, 2014), 40-1.
	179 J. I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove: IVP, 1993), 17-18.

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consider that he, Almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, has stooped so low as to 
call you.”180 He goes on to explain that we are dependent on the grace of God in revealing 
himself to us, because “without his grace, it is very difficult and almost, I should say, quite 
beyond you.”181 Of course, dwelling on our lower state can leave us in a position of despair, 
which is why it is important to hold it in tension with God's promise that those who seek will 
find (Luke 11:9); it is in the seeking that we become more in awe of his majesty and purposes for 
his creation. One of the divine mysteries we are to struggle with appears to be perseverance of 
the saints because there are biblical passages that seem to affirm and deny it. This project has 
been an attempt to synthesize a solution from seemingly contradictory passages, but before 
solutions are offered a brief summary of each passage examined may be helpful.

A Brief Recap

So far we have examined passages that clearly affirm God's power in ensuring that his people 
will remain securely in his possession. There were two such passages in this study: John 10 and 
Romans 8. In John 10, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd and promises that those 
who belong to his flock will never be snatched out of his hand (10:28). To be fair, the emphasis 
of John 10 is Jesus' proclamation that he and the Father are one, but this emphasis can further 
strengthen Jesus' claim because he also states that no one is able to snatch his sheep from the 
Father's hand. This passage serves as a clear and concise example of God's preservation of his 
people as it implies a passive role for the sheep: they are protected from “the thief” who attempts 
to snatch them away from Jesus and the Father.182 This passage is foundational for those who
_______________________
	180 Cloud of Unknowing, 39.
	181 Cloud of Unknowing, 40.	
	182 Michaels, John, 598. 

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argue in favour of perseverance of the saints, and understandably so; Jesus appears to affirm that 
whoever belongs to his flock will remain a part of his flock for eternity.183

	The second passage, Romans 8, is in line with what is revealed in John 10 because it 
features an appeal to God's preservation in the lives of his people. Paul asks a series of rhetorical 
questions that should inspire confidence in the believer (God's elect) including “if God is for us, 
who can be against us” and “since it is God who justifies, who will condemn us?” (8:31, 34). The 
latter half of the passage features the question “who shall separate us from the love of Christ” 
answered with an emphatic “I am sure that [nothing] ... in all creation will be able to separate us 
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (8:35, 39). Romans 8:31-39 focuses nearly all of 
its attention on the actions that God takes on behalf of his people: he is for them, gave up his Son 
for them, justifies them, Jesus intercedes on their behalf, and enables them to be more than 
conquerors. Together, John 10 and Romans 8 present a picture in favour of perseverance of the 
saints in that they do not mention a possibility of truly regenerate believers being able to leave 
the love of Christ. Once God has taken hold of a person he will not let them go.184 John 10 and 
Romans 8 form a solid foundation for the opinions of those who argue in favour of the doctrine, 
but James 5 and 2 Peter appear to disagree.

	First, in James 5:19-20, James exhorts his audience to bring back those who have 
“wandered from the truth.” Unlike John 10 and Romans 8, James 5 does not (explicitly) mention 
God's action in the situation and instead focuses on the results of the audience's action. James 
describes a situation where someone appears to have left the community of believers and who 
possibly rejected the teachings of the church. Although there may be ambiguity regarding 
whether the person described was actually regenerate, the second part of the passage is clear
_______________________
	183 Beasley-Murray, John, 174.
	184 Schreiner, Romans, 459. 

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about the results of bringing these people back: their souls will be saved from death and their 
sins will be covered.185 These two phrases are clearly salvific, indicating that James has genuine 
re-conversion in mind.

	The second passage is 2 Peter 2:20-22 and features a discussion surrounding false 
teachers who have evidently led faithful believers astray. The language of the specific passage 
renders the discussion of whether the false teachers or their students were the focus as moot 
because Peter is clearly envisaging people who had “known the way of righteousness” at some 
point (2:21). The clearest insight into Peter's intention in writing is when he claims that they 
have knowingly rejected the holy commandment and made their later state worse than their 
original one of ignorance.186 Their “escape from defilement” is possible through the knowledge 
of Jesus Christ, but unlike John and Romans, there is no mention of God's continued 
preservation of his people. Instead, Peter recognizes a possibility where the regenerate can 
knowingly reject the message that they had previously embraced and therefore are in a worse 
state than before their conversion. James 5 and 2 Peter 2 appear to contradict John 10 and 
Romans 8 because they clearly teach that genuine apostasy is possible.

	Hebrews 6 is a difficult passage to include in either of the previous two categories 
because it seems to encompass both sides of the discussion. Initially, the author explains to his 
audience that “it is impossible ... to restore [those who have fallen away] to repentance” (6:4, 6). 
The description of those who have fallen away is clear in that the author is describing those who 
have experienced genuine regeneration and have knowingly rejected what has been revealed to 
them.187 The author holds apostasy as a real threat in the life of the believer and should be
___________________
	185 Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James, NIGTC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), 201.
	186 Green, 2 Peter and Jude, 130.
	187 Cockerill, Hebrews, 275. 

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carefully avoided. However, the author comforts his audience a few verses later through an 
appeal to God's character. The author is confident that God will preserve the audience from 
apostasy because of their former actions resulting from their “enlightening.”188 Hebrews 6 
features warning and assurance, apostasy and preservation, representing the complexity of the 
larger discussion.

The Struggle

It should be clear that the solution to the problem is not simply to appeal to one passage over 
another. If all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), then it is not spiritually or academically 
responsible to negate the plain meaning of one text by appealing to another, particularly when 
there are no clear criteria for doing so. There are occasions where this sort of interpretation is 
necessary, but in the current case each passage has a fairly straightforward plain meaning that 
has been shown to be accurate to the Greek text. Therefore each passage should be weighted 
equally unless a convincing case can be made for one set of passages to be more foundational 
than the other. The view in this project is that Scripture is authoritative such that “all the words 
in Scripture are God's words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is 
to disbelieve or disobey God.”189 Each passage must be viewed as authoritative in order to come 
to a biblical solution to the problem of perseverance.

	In order to determine a clear answer to the question of perseverance, certain 
presuppositions must be cast aside. It seems as though scholars on either side of the argument 
utilize certain passages to interpret others, but oftentimes the same passages are used for 
different purposes. If perseverance of the saints is being argued for, then James 5, Hebrews 6 and
2 Peter 2 are interpreted differently because they seem to contradict doctrines that are
____________________________________________
188 Witherington III, Letters and Homilies, 220.
189 Grudem, Systematic Theology 73. 

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presupposed.190 Unfortunately, the exact same thing happens when perseverance of the saints is 
argued against. The scholars who oppose perseverance attempt to show that the passages from 
John and Romans (and the latter part of Hebrews 6) cannot affirm eternal divine preservation 
because such an interpretation would contradict presuppositions concerning the legitimacy of the 
many warnings concerning apostasy.191 Oftentimes, when the five passages in this study are 
examined in the context of a systematic theology the conclusion has already been predetermined. 
All that is lacking is the proper explanation for how every relevant passage fits into the system 
that is already in place. This methodology is not sufficient for studying theology; it is an attempt 
to prove one's own views without genuine concern for what is true and a problematic method for 
anyone who affirms a high view of Scripture.

	Both sides of the debate have certain presuppositions that they bring to the discussion, 
and these presuppositions are not necessarily wrong. They are simply emphasized over others. 
Consider those who argue in favour of perseverance. They are motivated by a desire to uphold 
certain divine attributes, but they do so to the detriment (to a certain point) of human 
responsibility. Since the entire process of salvation is initiated by God, it is clear that he will not 
allow it to fail. His Spirit will continually work in the lives of those he has chosen so that they 
will be able to persevere until the end of their earthly lives. There is a certain level of comfort to 
this conclusion. However, those who argue against perseverance claim that this doctrine creates 
passive Christians.192 On either side, the presuppositions have been shown to determine how the 
evidence is examined, and although this study is not exhaustive, it sufficiently evidences the 
need for a more synthetic conclusion rather than disregarding the meaning of disagreeable texts.
_______________________
	190 Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology is one example of this.
	191 In particular, note the argument in Robert Shank's Life in the Son.
	192 Shank, Life in the Son, 300

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Hypotheses

One possible solution is to simply hold both views in tension simultaneously and embrace it as 
another mystery of God. Marshall seems to wholeheartedly affirm that it is possible for God's 
people to apostatize but also clearly recognizes God's action in preserving their faith.193 In terms 
of allowing the biblical text to speak for itself, this is a laudable solution despite the fact that it 
seems to be contradictory. This solution holds Scripture very highly, but ultimately seems 
academically unsatisfactory because there is no qualification given, no attempt to properly 
nuance the competing claims. This view opts to fully accept the paradox instead of attempting to 
synthesize and wrestle with it.194 This conclusion is a good starting point because of its concern 
for biblical integrity, but is it possible to probe the mystery a bit more?

	Berkouwer offers another solution. He explains that the warning passages (like Hebrews 
6 and 2 Peter 2) are examples of the audience being warned about apostasy and actually serve 
divine preservation.195 In his view the warnings themselves are meant to keep God's people from 
committing apostasy because they serve to entice wayward believers into returning to God. This 
view does not necessarily have an issue with seeing regenerate believers described as committing 
apostasy because the function of the warning is to keep them from making the same mistakes.196 
An apostate is simply a hypothetical example given to frighten doubters into remaining part of 
God's people. Unfortunately, there is nothing inherent in the texts themselves to lead to this 
conclusion; it is simply a matter of using the presupposition that genuine apostasy is impossible 
to influence the interpretation of the warning passages.
__________________________
	193 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 209.
	194 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 210.
	195 Berkouwer, Faith and Perseverance, 117.
	196 Berkouwer, Faith and Perseverance, 109-10.

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	Berkouwer's solution is similar to the one proposed by Millard J. Erickson, who 
concludes his discussion on the matter with the assertion that “there is a logical possibility of 
apostasy, but it will not come to pass in the case of believers.”197 Erickson's discussion is mainly 
focused on reconciling the seemingly contradictory examples given by John 10 and Hebrews 6, 
and he even acknowledges that the author of Hebrews was describing genuine apostasy as more 
likely than the alternative.198 However, he places an emphasis on the concept that the John 
passage is conveying a certainty while the Hebrews passage is dealing with a possibility. 
Therefore, the possibility of apostasy must be affirmed while simultaneously affirming God's 
preservation of his sheep as a certainty.199 His conclusion on the Hebrews passage claims that 
“the full data of the passage would seem to indicate, then, that the writer has in view genuine 
believers who could fall away, but will not.”200 Unfortunately, Erickson does not differentiate 
properly between the two sections of Hebrews 6 where 6:4-8 seem to be dealing with a 
possibility related to any congregation of believers while 6:9-12 deal specifically with the 
audience; he takes them both as referring to the audience.

A Situational, Pastoral Solution

What if theology (for disputable matters) is more similar to grammatical and linguistic rules than 
rigid laws? When learning a language, it becomes apparent very quickly that although there are a 
series of rules meant to govern the linguistic system there are also many exceptions. Biblical 
authors seem to be unconcerned with rigid logical systems and seem to easily affirm 
contradictory statements that twist modern Western thinkers into knots. Although it can be 
dangerous to consider theology mouldable, certain aspects of theological understanding may be
________________
197 Erickson, Christian Theology, 921.
198 Erickson, Christian Theology, 921.
199 Erickson, Christian Theology, 921.
200 Erickson, Christian Theology, 921.

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situational. The precedent for this kind of thinking can be drawn from the following biblical 
passages. Consider Zech. 7:13: “‘As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I 
would not hear,' says the LORD of hosts.” God is described as responding to his people in a way 
that is fitting to their previous response to him. Or consider Luke 12:48: “Everyone to whom 
much was given, of him much will be required, and from him whom they entrusted much, they 
will demand the more.” Jesus is explaining that with divine revelation comes tremendous 
responsibility. Lastly, consider John 9:41: “Jesus said to them, ‘if you were blind, you would 
have no guilt; but now that you say, “We see,” your guilt remains.'” Jesus solemnly tells the 
Pharisees that since they claim to have knowledge, they will be judged accordingly despite the 
fact that throughout his interactions with them they have demonstrated the opposite. To put this 
in statistical terms, the rule is that God will actively preserve his people so that they will remain 
his indefinitely. The exception to the rule is the small percentage of cases where this is not the 
case. The exception does not render the rule invalid, but it does serve to indicate that the world is 
more complicated than we would like it to be.

	It is likely that the two aspects of the current discussion could be said to be situational in 
that comfort is given to those who are enduring difficult times while warning is given to those 
who are becoming lax in their faith. This reveals a pastoral aspect to perseverance of the saints. 
There is no question that both types of passage are meant for people who were genuinely saved, 
but the situations warrant a different pastoral response. If James is dealing with people who are 
slacking off in their Christian duties, it makes sense that he would mention apostasy as a 
possibility.201 To be fair though, he exhorts his audience to bring apostates back. Peter is dealing 
with false teachers, so he explains that if anyone does commit apostasy it would have been better
______________________
	201 McCartney, James, 37.

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for them to not have been saved in the first place; apostasy is seen as a real threat to the life of 
the congregation.202 The audience addressed in the book of Hebrews seems to have cooled down 
after a time of intense faithfulness, so the reminder that apostasy is possible could have served 
the pastoral purpose of lighting their desire again.203 On the flip side of this, the congregation 
addressed by Paul in Rome was likely going through serious trials204 so Paul affirms that God 
will not allow anything to separate them from his love.205 Likewise, John's audience may have 
already experienced persecution (getting kicked out of the synagogue, see John 9:22)206 and were 
in need of comfort in order to strengthen their resolve. What could be more comforting that to 
know that nothing can snatch them out of God's hand? They are securely in his possession! This 
conclusion would mean that divine preservation provides the best explanation of the texts 
examined but apostasy remains a real possibility; each statement is used in a different context. 
Practically, this means that there are certain passages that can be appealed to depending on the 
situation that the pastor is confronted with. If someone is struggling with the idea of assurance or 
dealing with trials, they can be assured that God will preserve them through appeals to John 10 
and Romans 8 (and possibly Hebrews 6:9-10); if morality has become lax within the 
congregation, warnings can be appealed to from Hebrews 6:4-6 and 2 Peter 2; but in all cases 
James 5 is applicable as we struggle to hold each other accountable and seek to bring wandering 
brothers and sisters back into the fold of God.
____________________________
	202 Green, Jude & 2 Peter, 302
	203 Lane, Hebrews 1-8, lv.
	204 Dunn, Romans 1-8, li.
	205 Marshall, Kept by the Power of God, 103.
	206 Beasley-Murray, John, 153-4.

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Appendices

Appendix A: John 10:22-30 

22At that time the Jewish Feast of Dedication was in Jerusalem, it was winter, 23and Jesus was 
walking in the temple within the portico of Solomon. 24Then the Jews surrounded him and said 
to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us openly.” 25Jesus 
answered them, “I told you and you did not believe; the works which I do in the name of my 
Father testify on my account; 26but you do not believe because you are not (of) my sheep. 27My 
sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me, 28and I give eternal life to them and 
they will never perish into eternity and no one will take them by force from my hand. 29My 
Father, who has given to me all things, is the greatest, and no one is able to take by force from 
the Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one.”

Appendix B: Romans 8:31-39 

31Therefore what shall we say to these things? If God is on our behalf who is against us? 32Who 
did not even spare his own son but delivered hum up on behalf of all of us, how will he not give 
to us all things along with him? 33Who will bring charges against the ones chosen by God? God 
is the one who justifies; 34who is the one who condemns? Christ [Jesus] died, but more than that 
was raised to life, who is also at the right hand of God, who also prays on our behalf. 35Who will 
separate us from the love of Christ? Suffering or calamity or persecution or famine or poverty or 
danger or sword? 36Just as it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day, we are 
considered as sheep for slaughter.” 37But in all these things we are completely victorious through 
the one who loves us. 38For I have confidence that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers nor 
things that are present nor things that are coming nor powers 39nor heights nor depths nor any 
created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Appendix C: Hebrews 6:4-12 

4For it is impossible (for) those who were once enlightened, and who have tasted the heavenly 
gift and was a companion born of the Holy Spirit 5and who have tasted the goodness of God's 
word and the powers of the coming age 6and who have fallen away, to restore (them) again to 
repentance (because) they are crucifying the Son of God again and exposing (him) to public 
ridicule. 7For the land drinking the rain that often comes upon it and produces vegetation useful 
to those for whom it was cultivated, shares in the blessing from God; 8but (if) producing thorns 
and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed, its end is burning. 9But we have 
been persuaded concerning you, beloved, (if) we speak also in this way, that you have better 
things approaching salvation. 10For God is not unjust (as to) neglect your work and the love that 
you show in his name, having served the saints and continuing to serve. 11But we long for each 
of you to show diligence with reference to the certainty of hope until the end, 12in order that you 
might not be lazy, but imitators of those who receive the promises through faith and patience.

Appendix D: James 5:19-20 

19 My brothers, if anyone among you is led astray from the truth and someone turns him back 20
Let him know that the one who turns a sinner back from his deceptive way saves his soul from 
death and covers a multitude of sins.

Appendix E: 2 Peter 2:20-22 

20For if after escaping the defilements of the world through recognition of the Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ, and the ones being entangled by these again are overcome, for them the last (state) 
has become worse than the first. 21For it would be better for them to not know the way of 
righteousness than having known (it) to turn back from the holy commandment that was

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entrusted to them. 22The true proverb has happened to them; (they are like) a dog that has turned 
back to its own vomit, and a sow that has washed (turning back) to mud rolling.

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“About the Author”207


a photo of the author, Ben Klassen

Sir Benjamin J Klassen III currently resides in the city of Toronto, but he has traveled throughout 
many of the world's most spectacular regions. He grew up with a particular fondness for 
literature, spending much of his adolescence indoors with his nose in a book. At the age of 
twelve, his governess grew concerned about his quiet nature and called for a physician, who 
declared the young man's dire need for external stimulation. Thus, his parents sent him to 
Switzerland to stay with his great-uncle Herbert Klaus. Here, he began to study different 
languages and quickly became fluent in French, Italian, Romansh, and German. These newfound 
language skills proved themselves useful, as he relocated to Venice in his late teens.

He found himself working as a gondolier, navigating the “streets” of Venice both for business 
and pleasure. It was here that he developed an appreciation for the musical arts when a man by 
the name of Vincente von Strapnert challenged him to a duel of sorts - von Strapnert, a breeder 
of Anatolian Shepherds, had recently lost his fortune due to a series of unfortunate events, and 
one night stumbled drunkenly towards the water. Fearing that the man might drown, Klassen 
stepped out and grabbed von Strapnert by the collar, pulling him to safety. Being a proud man 
who was quite intoxicated, von Strapnert turned and pulled a switch blade from his pocket, 
pointing it at Klassen. It was then that Klassen remembered the tambourine a gypsy woman had 
given him while travelling through Paris - he pulled it out and began to dance, beating the 
tambourine and distracting von Strapnert from his defensive plans. The drunk started to clap and 
cheer, drawing the attention of passersby. A police officer arrested von Strapnert for being drunk 
and disorderly, and he spent the night in jail. Klassen felt pity for the man and visited him the 
next morning, bailing him out of jail on the condition that von Strapnert pull himself together 
and move forward with his life. Von Strapnert gratefully offered Klassen the life of his firstborn 
son as thanks for this service. However, he was later diagnosed with testicular cancer and 
________________
207 This section is written by the subject's sister, Samantha. It should also be noted that some of 
the details described are fictitious in nature and are meant for entertainment purposes.

75



underwent a radical inguinal orchiectomy before he had the chance to produce a child. Klassen 
forgave the debt, but von Strapnert insisted on making good on his promise and instead gave him 
an Anatolian Shepherd pup from his last litter. Klassen had never been fond of animals, but the 
bond between man and beast was instant. He named the pup Bruce and parted with von 
Strapnert. He traveled back to Switzerland before making his way to eastern Asia.

By this time, Klassen had passed the age of twenty and was considered, in many cultures, to have 
fully reached the age of manhood. He had planned to tour the countries within eastern Asia, 
starting with Mongolia and working through the territories of China before circling around 
through Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, and finally up through South Korea and Japan. It 
was at this time, however, that the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck - the devastation 
appealed to Klassen's humanitarian nature, and he found himself gravitating towards Japan first. 
By the time he had arrived in Sendai, Japan, the death toll had reached over 11,000. He decided 
to help wherever it was needed, starting with a search and rescue team. He and Bruce worked 
very closely with two men, John Hawkes from America and John Rockwell from Wales. The 
team they formed was personally responsible for the rescue of exactly 38.5 (amputee situation) 
victims of the tsunami. Klassen and the Johns formed a close bond of brotherhood that lasts to 
this day. They were forced to split ways when Hawkes was called home due to the death of his 
father and Rockwell fell ill with a gangrenous arm. Klassen pressed forward, transitioning from 
search and rescue to distribution of food and medical supplies, and finally clean-up. He dedicated 
a total of sixteen months to aiding the victims of this tragedy, a feat which earned him 
nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize (his work also contributed to the reconciliation between 
the much maligned Ainu people and the Japanese government). He adamantly turned down this 
honour, citing his love for God as his motivation and not earthly reward. At hearing this, Queen 
Elizabeth II extended an invitation to join her for a private dinner, at which she told him of her 
plans to bestow him with a knighthood. He declined at first but accepted at her insistence for fear 
of offending Her Majesty. He became Sir Benjamin on November 30, 2012 and headed back to 
Canada with Bruce shortly afterwards.

A severe case of gout caused Sir Benjamin to slow down for a period, and it was at this time that 
he decided to further his theological understanding. He held a pastoral position for a while before 
enrolling in postsecondary school to work towards his doctorate in theology and biblical studies 
(or psychology or something, I can never remember). He dazzled fellow students with his facial 
hair-growing abilities and his hitherto unheard of benevolence, and quickly left a trail of broken 
hearts longer than his ponytail. Bruce is also pursuing higher education and is working towards 
achieving his dogtorate in canine medical science.

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