DIFFICULT NEW TESTAMENT PASSAGES

1. What Is Divine Election? (Romans 9:9-18; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:10-11) 

2. Who/What Restrains the Antichrist? (2 Thessalonians 2:1-10) 

3. Can Defectors Be Saved? (Hebrews 6:1-8; 10:26-27; Romans 10:9-11) 

Central Truth: Studying Holy Scripture is a highly rewarding, livelong endeavor. 

Focus: Recognize that all Holy Scripture can be taught and diligently study God’s Word. 

Evangelism Emphasis: Salvation comes by hearing and believing the Word about Jesus Christ. 

Golden Text: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). 

INTRODUCTION

This week’s lesson is the fifth in the unit titled “Scriptures Difficult to Understand.” As we noted in earlier lessons, we find some Biblical passages difficult because of the language. The Bible was written originally in Hebrew and Greek; therefore, we are dependent on translations. Our understanding is also hindered by the differences in ancient culture and modern culture. The Bible presents its message in terms of ancient customs, habits, rituals, and social traditions. We often struggle to comprehend the world of the Bible.

In this week’s lesson, however, we are confronted with still another type of difficult Scripture—what H. C. Trumbull called a “paradox.” According to Trumbull, Christianity “is made up of seeming contradictions. All its teachings are contrary to the common opinions of man. According to this law, giving is getting; scattering is gaining; holding is losing; having nothing is possessing all things; dying is living. It is he who is weak who is strong” (Practical Paradoxes or Truth in Contradictions).

I would prefer the Biblical term “mystery” rather than the modern word “paradox.” It is a mystery how God can be one, yet three. It is a mystery how Jesus could be God “manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim. 3:16), so that Jesus is both fully God and fully human at the same time. It is a mystery how the dead can be raised to life again. 

Philosophers and theologians have attempted to explain the mysteries of God, but God’s ways are beyond our capacity to grasp. The mind of God operates on a higher level than the human mind. Isaiah said of God, “His understanding no one can fathom” (Isa. 40:28 NIV). The human mind is limited, but God’s knowledge and wisdom are unlimited. The Lord declares, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (55:8-9).

Our lesson this week begins with the mystery of how God can be completely sovereign; but, at the same time, humans can have free will to act in opposition to the plan of God. This Biblical tension between God’s sovereignty and human free will has caused much conflict in the Church over the centuries. We must be careful not to exclude either element of this mystery. We affirm that God is sovereign, but we also affirm that humans are free to serve God or to reject Him. Faithfulness to Scripture requires that the mystery be acknowledged and the tension be maintained. 

1. WHAT IS DIVINE ELECTION?

Some churches teach that God has chosen only certain “elect” people to receive the gift of salvation. They do not believe salvation is available for everyone. This was the teaching of John Calvin, who said the elect are predestined to heaven, and everyone else is predestined to hell. Only the elect are able to call on the Lord. Furthermore, because they are predestined to heaven, they cannot lose their salvation—they have eternal security. He taught further that Christ died only for the elect, not for everyone.

The major Pentecostal denominations do not follow Calvinism. We believe Christ died for the entire world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). We believe every human being is free to accept or reject God’s invitation to salvation. God’s grace is freely offered to everyone. Election means all are invited to repent, believe on the Lord, and enter a new relationship with God. Those who respond positively to God’s call are elected by God to receive the benefits of Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection. 

The word elect means “chosen”; therefore, election is the “act of choosing.” To be chosen by God is not equivalent to being saved. People and nations are “chosen” for a variety of tasks that do not necessarily imply they will have eternal life. People who are chosen can later be rejected. For example, the tribe of Levi was “chosen” to be Israel’s priests (Deut. 18:5), but there were times when those priests “did not know the Lord” (1 Sam. 2:12 NKJV). Another example is King Saul, who was “chosen” by the Lord, but he was later “rejected” by the Lord (10:24; 15:23). While God reaches out and chooses people for His work, those people must choose to serve God if they are to remain in His favor. 

A.  The Election of Jacob (Romans 9:9-18; 1 Peter 1:2) 

Romans 9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 

In the Book of Genesis, God chose Abram and called him out from Ur of the Chaldees. Then God made a covenant with Abraham and promised that Abraham and Sarah would have a son. That son was Isaac, whose wife, Rebecca, gave birth to twin boys, Esau and Jacob. Here in the Book of Romans, Paul explains that even though Esau was born first, God chose Jacob as the one who would inherit the promise of Abraham. Thus, God says, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (9:13). 

The contrast between “love” and “hate” is symbolic language, not meant to be taken literally. Compare the shocking statement of Jesus, who said, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). God did not literally “hate” Esau, and we must not hate our families. These exaggerations are meant to highlight the seriousness of serving God (or not serving God). 

The election of Jacob as inheritor of the promise plays out in the Genesis story as Esau sells his birthright and as Jacob steals Esau’s blessing. Jacob was chosen over Esau before they were born and before either of them had “done any good or evil” (Rom. 9:11); therefore, God might be accused of being unfair. Paul declares that God is not unfair in His choices (v. 14). The lives of Jacob and Esau were foreseen by God, and they point to the fact that God’s election is based on His foreknowledge. The apostle Peter declares we are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:2). God’s promises are not given on the basis of birth or ancestry. Rather, God’s promises are given to those who God foreknew would receive His promises.

God knows who will respond to His offer of grace and who will not, but He does not force the response. In some cases, however, God continues to harden the hearts of people who have already hardened their hearts themselves. This was the case with Pharaoh (Rom. 9:17). He hardened his heart against the word of God; and, afterward, God continued to harden his heart (Ex. 7:13-14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34-35).

In the Book of Romans, we see the children of promise may be either Jews or Gentiles by birth, but the necessary requirement is faith in Jesus Christ (9:24). Not all Israelites are the true Israel. True Israel is made up of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who has the same kind of faith that Abraham had.

Still, there remains a certain level of mystery regarding election. Only God himself knows why He chose Abraham and why He chose Jacob over Esau. God’s actions are perfect, but we cannot always comprehend them. His ways are above our ways. That is why, later in Romans, Paul writes, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (11:33 NKJV).

Freedom With Limits 

I recently took an airline flight from Atlanta to London. While on the plane, I was free to leave my seat and walk around the plane. At one point, I watched a movie, and then I took a nap. I was free, but there were limits to my freedom. Even though I was free to sleep, eat, talk, and walk around, I was not free to change the destination of the airplane. The plane was scheduled to arrive in London, and there was nothing I could do to change that. Similarly, God has given us many freedoms, but those freedoms are limited. It is not within our power to change God’s ultimate plan.—Lee Roy Martin

B. Confirming Our Election (2 Peter 1:10-11) 

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

God wants His people to be assured of their salvation. That is why the apostle Peter encourages us to “make every effort to confirm [our] calling and election” (v. 10 NIV). We can know without doubt that the Lord has called us and chosen us as His people. This assurance comes through the Holy Spirit, who “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16 NKJV).

We also have confirmation from our experience of conversion. The apostle Paul states, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (10:9 NKJV). If we are trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation, we can be assured of eternal life in God’s “everlasting kingdom” (2 Peter 1:11). John states it this way: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NKJV).

• What can help us to “never fall” (v. 10) in our walk with Christ?  

2. WHO/WHAT RESTRAINS THE ANTICHRIST? 

In his two letters to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul provides crucial information about the return of Jesus. In 1 Thessalonians, he assures the church that believers who had died would be raised up when Christ returns (4:13-15). He goes on to say that the return of Jesus will come suddenly, “as a thief in the night” (5:2); at which time, all Christians, whether living or dead, will “live together with him” (v. 10). 

A. The Return of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3) 

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul once again addresses concerns about the “coming of our Lord Jesus” (v. 1). Apparently, someone had been teaching that the Lord had returned already, and this teaching had deceived the Thessalonians and caused them to be “shaken in mind, or . . . troubled” (v. 2). Therefore, Paul wished to comfort the believers and assure them that Jesus had not yet returned. So he mentions two events that must occur before the second coming of Jesus. First, there will be “a falling away”; second, the “man of sin [will] be revealed” (v. 3). 

Paul does not explain the “falling away” (meaning “apostasy”) or the identity of the “man of sin” (better translated as “man of lawlessness”) because he had already shared the information with the Thessalonians when he was with them in person (see v. 5). We have no access to Paul’s preaching and teaching at Thessalonica; therefore, we are somewhat in the dark regarding these two matters. However, Paul’s teaching about the falling away is consistent with the words of Jesus, who declared, “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold” (Matt. 24:10-12 NASB). The similarities between Jesus’ teaching and Paul’s writing include their warnings against deception, their predictions of a falling away, and their predictions of false prophets. Apparently, the “man of lawlessness” is a type of false prophet, who will deceive people through “lying wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9).

• What deceptions about the Second Coming must we guard against? 

B. Characteristics of the Man of Sin (2 Thessalonians 2:4-5) 

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 

This man of lawlessness is characterized by his willful opposition to God and his exalting himself “above” God (v. 4). The result of his self-exaltation is that he sits in “the temple of God,” claiming to be God. The word temple signifies here the innermost sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. This lawless one will attempt to replace God in stature and authority. 

Paul’s description reminds us of the vision of Daniel: “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all” (Dan. 11:36-37 NIV). The man of lawlessness also reminds us of the Beast and False Prophet of Revelation 13. The Beast “opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. . . . All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life” (vv. 6-8 NIV). 

Awaiting His Cue 

Our world is fast becoming a madhouse and the inmates are trying to run the asylum. It is a strange time when the patients are writing the prescriptions, the students are threatening to run the schools, the children to manage the homes, and church members—not the Holy Spirit—to direct the churches. Such lawlessness always brings a dictator and the last of the line will be the Antichrist, now in the offing awaiting his cue.—Vance Havner 

C. What Hinders the Man of Sin? (2 Thessalonians 2:6-10) 

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

Paul declares that the “mystery of iniquity,” the spirit behind the Man of Sin, is already at work in the world (v. 7). Paul’s statement is supported by 1 John 4:3, which speaks of “the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” (NIV). Although the spirit behind the Man of Sin is already at work, there is something (or someone) preventing his unveiling to the world. That which hinders the Man of Sin from being revealed will some day be removed, and “that Wicked” one will be revealed. However, he will be defeated at the return of Jesus Christ, “consumed” by the Spirit and “destroyed” by the glory of Christ’s coming (see Rev. 19:20). 

For some reason unknown to us, Paul does not specify the identity of the “restrainer”—the thing or person that prevents the unloosing of the Man of Sin. Biblical interpreters have argued for a variety of options: the Church, the Holy Spirit, the rule of law, the Jewish state, the proclamation of the Gospel, or an angelic figure. The rule of law makes sense in this context because the Man of Sin is characterized by lawlessness, opposition to the law of God. But it is hard to imagine the complete loss of “law” in the world.

In comparing the similarity of Paul’s teaching here to the Book of Daniel, we see Daniel declares that a lawless one is coming, who will set himself up as God and even take over the Temple. Daniel explains that in the spirit world of the heavenlies, the angel Michael serves as the protector of God’s people. He states, “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (12:1 NIV; see also 10:13, 21; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7). In the various passages that talk about Michael, he seems to be deeply involved in restraining evil and protecting believers. It may be that Michael is, even now, restraining the forces of evil until the hour that God withdraws him and allows the Man of Sin to be revealed.

We must remember, however, that we do not have enough information to make a definitive interpretation. The focus of Paul’s teaching here is that the coming of Jesus is still in the future and that Christians should expect His soon return. 

• How is the spirit of the “men of sin” evident in our culture?  

3. CAN DEFECTORS BE SAVED?

Part three of this week’s lesson is closely related to part one, in that the underlying concepts are the sovereignty of God and the free will of humans. The Book of Hebrews is a plea for discipleship that encourages its readers to “press on to maturity” (6:1 NASB). The Hebrew Christians already knew the basic teachings of the faith, and they had already experienced repentance, the new birth, and water baptism. Therefore, it was time for them to advance to the next level. Their “repentance from dead works” refers to the fact that, as Christians, they no longer practiced the Jewish sacrificial rites. Jewish rituals were “dead works” that did not accomplish salvation. They had learned that salvation was by faith alone. 

A. The Danger of Defection (Hebrews 6:1-8; 10:26-27) 

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

Some of the Hebrew Christians were being tempted to abandon their faith in Christ and return to the sacrificial system of Judaism. They are warned very strongly that they must rely only on Christ. These readers are true Christians—they have been “enlightened” (cf. Eph. 1:18); they have tasted the “gift” of salvation, the “word of God,” and the “powers of the world to come” (Heb. 6:4-5). They have been “partakers of the Holy Ghost.” The word partaker means “partner” or “companion,” and would characterize genuine believers. These Hebrew believers “have received the knowledge of the truth” (10:26), which makes them true Christians in the fullest sense of the word. 

These believers are warned against “fall[ing] away” (6:6) and sinning “willfully” (10:26)—two warnings that are essential to our understanding of this passage. First, the falling away envisioned here is not a backsliding into disobedience or giving in to temptation; it is more. It is apostasy; it is the denying of the sufficiency of Jesus Christ for salvation and probably includes a return to the sacrifices of Judaism. Therefore, these scriptures do not say a backslider cannot repent. We read repeatedly that Christians who have sinned are invited to confess and repent (2 Cor. 12:21; Rev. 2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3, 19; James 4:8; 1 John 1:9).

Hebrews 10:26 says without Christ there is no way to accomplish repentance. After Christ died, there was “no more sacrifice for sins.” The Jewish sacrifices accomplish nothing; they do not provide forgiveness. A person who denies the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice cannot truly repent because they deny the only grounds for genuine repentance. A person who denies Christ is in danger of blaspheming the Holy Spirit and being turned over to a reprobate mind (see Matt. 12:31; Rom. 1:28).

Sin Is Deadly 

Just as ridiculous as it is to make a pet out of a deadly snake that has slithered into your nursery and injured your baby, so it is unreasonable for those who are saved to make a pet out of sin. Sin killed our Savior and continues to destroy the souls of men.—Ron Phillips 

B. Reclamation Through Repentance (Romans 10:9-11) 

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Is the apostate person without hope? As long as they deny Christ, they have no hope. However, if the person would reaffirm their faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, they can be restored to salvation. Peter denied Jesus three times, but he was restored. Peter later sided with the Judaizers at Antioch; but when Paul rebuked him, he made things right (Galatians 2:11-17). 



Only God knows what is in our hearts. No matter what anyone has done in the past, if they will “confess” the Lord Jesus and “believe” in their heart, they will be saved (Rom. 10:9). When a person is apostate, they have no grounds for repentance; but if they turn back to Jesus and restore their faith in Him, they can repent and be saved once again. Paul states emphatically, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame” (v. 11 NIV). 

STUDY THE SCRIPTURES 

We must be “diligent” in becoming Christians who can accurately discern and communicate “the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15 NKJV). Here is how Martin Luther described his study of Holy Scripture: “First I shake the whole [apple] tree, that the ripest might fall. Then I climb the tree and shake each limb, and then each branch and then each twig, and then I look under each leaf.” 

Daily Devotions  

M.  God Speaks (Deuteronomy 5:1, 22-28) 

T.  God Calls (1 Samuel 3:1-10) 

W.  God Saves (Psalm 80:1-7) 

T.  Chosen by Christ (John 15:14-19) 

F.  Delivered From Evil (2 Timothy 4:9-18) 

S.  God Wills None to Perish (2 Peter 3:3-9) 

*Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2020-2021.