Let Us Challenge Ourselves and Examine the Scripture

This may be another controversial issue to some.

I pointed out in the previous “Blessing” based upon John 6:65, that salvation is of the Lord. It means it is not within the power or natural ability of fallen man to come to Christ without supernatural assistance. This harmonizes with other salvation verses.

Here comes another verse in the same chapter, John 6:44. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” This is similar to John 6:65, is it not? The word ‘can’ and ‘unless’ are in both verses.

But there is a word that caught my attention, ‘draw’. A word study from the original is paramount here. But first let us look how others interpret this verse which I think is weak or even incorrect. They say that the term ‘draw’ means to entice or to woo. Like a man courting a girl trying to woo or entice her to like him. But of course, the girl (or man) has the ability to resist this wooing or enticing.

Barclay’s idea comes somewhat closer to the understanding, comparing with other Scriptures, for example: Jer. 31:3 “With loving-kindness I have drawn you.” This concept seems to imply some sort of resistance in spite of the expression of ‘lovingkindness. In another verse, it is like drawing a heavy fishing net from the ocean onto the shore. (John 21:6, 11, in Wm. Barclay, John Vol 1). If we use the word wooing or enticement for ‘draw’ there is an element that ‘it can be refused.’ It may be necessary but not compelling. This idea of ‘wooing’ does not guarantee one coming to Christ.

In Vine’s Expository Dictionary, the Greek word is ‘elko’. In this context it means to be compelled by irresistible superiority. This is a stronger word than wooing. For example, the same word from the original is used for the terms ‘draw’ and ‘dragged’ in Acts 16:19, “But when her master knew that their hope for profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place to the authorities.” Paul and Silas were not ‘wooed’ or enticed after they were seized. If one substitutes the word “woo” to “drag” it loses its meaning.

The same idea is introduced in James 2:6 “But you have dishonoured the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?” It is incorrect to say, “the rich oppress you and woo you into the courts.” The Greek word ‘elko,’ has the notion, that you are compelled by an irresistible superiority. This has a more forceful concept than to entice or woo.

There will be more Scriptures in John that we need to study for clarification. Let us challenge ourselves. But bear in mind the good principle in hermeneutics (interpretation of Scripture) that any implication from Scriptures must always have a second place to the crystal-clear teaching of Scripture. Never reverse this. Therefore, examine the Scriptures and I believe the Spirit of grace will lead you to God’s truth.