Ephesians 1;5

[Butch5]

Butch5, your push that this letter Paul wrote to Ephesus was to the Jews is a huge stretch. Read the first verse of the letter. This letter was written to the saints. That qualifies the entire letter to be written to all who believe in Christ, both in the day it was written as well as to everyone whom believe now and all points in between, as well as all future believers.

Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

It's not a stretch, the letter is to the Ephesians. However, "we" in English can be either inclusive or exclusive and must be determined by the context. When we look at the passage, verses 3-12 we see that the references are to the Jews, and Paul says in verse 12,

Ephesians 1:12 ( KJV )
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Paul contrasts this with verse 13,

Ephesians 1:13 ( KJV )
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The ye also is the Ephesians, which Paul has contrasts with the other group "we", which he says first trusted in Christ. I have given a more detailed post on this to Roger W. Also here is an article that explains it in depth.

http://www.pfrs.org/commentary/Eph_1_3.pdf

[BroRog]

I completely disagree. Why can't it be true that based on His knowledge of the future God foreordained for it to be the case that anyone who believed would be conformed to the image of Christ and would be adopted as sons? Nowhere does scripture teach that God foreordained or predestined anyone to believe.

To foreordain means to decide ahead of time what will happen in the future, which of course, only God can do. If God must go to the future to see what will happen, then he hasn't foreordained anything, because the future was already decided by us. To foreordain is to plan and solidify the future before it happens.

Secondly, God knows the future, not by inspection, but according to his own plans for it. For God to foreknow the future, he knows it before it happens. If God had to discover the future by inspection, then he couldn't know it in advance, since he can only know it when we know it.

Look at it another way, if God needs to go and inspect the future in order to make a decision, then the future must already exist in a fixed form such that it won't change. Otherwise what would be the point of going to look at it? And if the future exists in a fixed and frozen state such that God can go look at it, then our personal future is fixed such that whether we will believe or won't believe has already been decided. And if it has been decided by us, then we have already lived this life once.

Sounds like the Matrix doesn't it?

I don't believe the Bible teaches that we have already lived our lives here in the Matrix.

[John146]

To foreordain means to decide ahead of time what will happen in the future, which of course, only God can do. If God must go to the future to see what will happen, then he hasn't foreordained anything, because the future was already decided by us. To foreordain is to plan and solidify the future before it happens.

This is not true. Just because we believe doesn't mean we make ourselves His children. He predestined to conform us to the image of Christ and to adopt us as His children because He knew we would believe. Nowhere does it say that God predestined us to believe, as you try to claim.

We are responsible to believe or not but it was God who determined to indwell those who would believe with the Holy Spirit so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we can be conformed to the image of Christ.

Secondly, God knows the future, not by inspection, but according to his own plans for it. For God to foreknow the future, he knows it before it happens. If God had to discover the future by inspection, then he couldn't know it in advance, since he can only know it when we know it.

Who said anything about inspection? He just knows because He is God. He knows all things. He knows the future right up to the end of the age but we don't. You are speaking of Him as if He only existed within the realm of space and time, which He obviously does not.

Look at it another way, if God needs to go and inspect the future in order to make a decision, then the future must already exist in a fixed form such that it won't change. Otherwise what would be the point of going to look at it? And if the future exists in a fixed and frozen state such that God can go look at it, then our personal future is fixed such that whether we will believe or won't believe has already been decided. And if it has been decided by us, then we have already lived this life once.

Sounds like the Matrix doesn't it?

Sounds like nonsense to me. I don't follow what you're trying to say here. What is the problem with God knowing everything in advance and then predestining certain things according to that knowledge? Why couldn't God do that? He's not confined to space and time. It seems that you are thinking of Him as if He was.

I don't believe the Bible teaches that we have already lived our lives here in the Matrix.

Neither do I. But since God exists outside of space and time and already knows the future, from His perspective it is kind of that way. But in the realm of space and time it is not.

If you can show me a verse that says God predestined us to believe (and everyone else to not believe) then I might see your point. Until then it's not very likely.

[RogerW]

So are you trying to say that God the Holy Spirit lied to us when He wrote the following scriptures or perhaps Jesus was just pulling our chain and forgot to qualify the statements with "those predestined".

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The other question that arises is explain how God created some without knowing them. If you say he foreknew some when he created them then I must say God foreknew every person He created. God is long suffering towards us and wishes all to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

And Jesus preached.

Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Luke 13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

God has called to everyone to repent, Jesus has called to everyone to repent, and the Holy Spirit is still calling to everyone to repent. None of it says it is for just certain predetermined individuals, it is for all that believe in the name of Christ. Christ is the predestined and because we believe in him we get God's grace and adoption as sons.

The biggest problem with the Calvin doctrine is their belief that predestination is about individuals. It is not about us at all, it is about Christ. We as people are to bring glory to God, either by worship through our belief in Christ or through the demonstration of God power through His wrath for not believing in Christ.

Greetings TF,

Notice carefully I'll be quoting from Scripture, not Calvin.

Does Scripture tell us that God offers eternal life to all who believe, or does Scripture tell us that God gives eternal life to all who believe? If it is offered and God loves every single human equally, and salvation is of the Lord, (Jonah 2:9) shouldn't every man who hears the gospel believe? Was Christ simply pulling our chain when He says "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"? (Ro 10:17) Since faith comes by hearing the Word, why do some hear the gospel and remain without saving faith? (Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.)

It is not that God does not know every man. He is after all the One Who gives life. But to "foreknow" some men is more than mere knowing he/she exists. To be "foreknown" of God means to be among those whom God has limited in advance, or ordained, predetermined before the foundation of the world for something specific. We find this foreknowledge of God in the following verses.

God determined before the foundation of the world that Christ would be the Lamb slain. It is not a plan (B) that Christ would suffer and die to make atonement for believers. God foreknew this from before the foundation of the world. Because God foreknew by eternal decree that Christ would be the Lamb slain, He also knows who will be given eternal life through Christ's atonement...those whom He has foreknown.

Ac 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

In His foreknowledge He has also predestined some to be conformed to the image of Christ. Those who are not foreknown of God have not been predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The call of the gospel goes unto all the world, and as you have said through the call every man hearing the gospel is commanded to repent and believe. But notice how those whom He did predestinate, "He" also called. This is not merely the call of the gospel given unto every man. For it clearly says, "He also called". This is why not everyone who hears the gospel call to repent and believe have faith to believe. The Word is heard by them, but the Word does not profit them because it is not mixed with faith. Why? Since faith comes by hearing the Word? Because not all who hear are called by Christ. His own sheep are known by Him. He knows them and they know Him, for He calls His own by name (Jo 10:1-18). Christ gives His life only for His sheep! Christ's sheep are the ones foreknown from before the foundation of the world, and being foreknown He did predestinate, and He also calls, and He also justifies, and He also glorifies.

Ro 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

It had been ordained [foreknown] by God from before the foundation of the world that presdestined Gentiles too would be given eternal life in Christ.

1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Many Blessings,
RW

[John146]

Greetings TF,

Notice carefully I'll be quoting from Scripture, not Calvin.

Does Scripture tell us that God offers eternal life to all who believe, or does Scripture tell us that God gives eternal life to all who believe? If it is offered and God loves every single human equally, and salvation is of the Lord, (Jonah 2:9) shouldn't every man who hears the gospel believe? Was Christ simply pulling our chain when He says "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"? (Ro 10:17) Since faith comes by hearing the Word, why do some hear the gospel and remain without saving faith? (Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.)

It is not that God does not know every man. He is after all the One Who gives life. But to "foreknow" some men is more than mere knowing he/she exists. To be "foreknown" of God means to be among those whom God has limited in advance, or ordained, predetermined before the foundation of the world for something specific. We find this foreknowledge of God in the following verses.

God determined before the foundation of the world that Christ would be the Lamb slain. It is not a plan (B) that Christ would suffer and die to make atonement for believers. God foreknew this from before the foundation of the world. Because God foreknew by eternal decree that Christ would be the Lamb slain, He also knows who will be given eternal life through Christ's atonement...those whom He has foreknown.

Ac 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

In His foreknowledge He has also predestined some to be conformed to the image of Christ. Those who are not foreknown of God have not been predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The call of the gospel goes unto all the world, and as you have said through the call every man hearing the gospel is commanded to repent and believe. But notice how those whom He did predestinate, "He" also called. This is not merely the call of the gospel given unto every man. For it clearly says, "He also called". This is why not everyone who hears the gospel call to repent and believe have faith to believe. The Word is heard by them, but the Word does not profit them because it is not mixed with faith. Why? Since faith comes by hearing the Word? Because not all who hear are called by Christ. His own sheep are known by Him. He knows them and they know Him, for He calls His own by name (Jo 10:1-18). Christ gives His life only for His sheep! Christ's sheep are the ones foreknown from before the foundation of the world, and being foreknown He did predestinate, and He also calls, and He also justifies, and He also glorifies.

Ro 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

It had been ordained [foreknown] by God from before the foundation of the world that presdestined Gentiles too would be given eternal life in Christ.

1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Many Blessings,
RW

Roger,

Can you explain why God would have been grieved over having made mankind in Noah's day? Weren't they all, according to your doctrine, just doing what He predestined them to do? Or, in other words, not doing (repenting and believing) what they were not predestined to do? Why would that make Him angry and sad and cause Him to punish them? Not just with physical punishment at that time but also with eternal punishment on the day of judgment.

What kind of God is this that creates people without giving them a chance to be saved and that are destined for the lake of fire? Is that the God of the Bible who is impartial, desires all to repent and be saved and loves the world enough to send His Son to die for the sins of the whole world? I don't believe so, but I'm curious as to how you would explain all of this.

Does scripture not teach that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but wants them to repent before they die (Ezekiel 18:23, 33:11)? It seems that you would say He is pleased to just allow them to die and does not care that they do not repent because they were not predestined to repent and believe unto salvation.

[BroRog]

This is not true. Just because we believe doesn't mean we make ourselves His children. He predestined to conform us to the image of Christ and to adopt us as His children because He knew we would believe. Nowhere does it say that God predestined us to believe, as you try to claim.

Nowhere does it say that God knew we would believe. But the Bible does use terms like "foreordain" and "foreknow", which logically work together to form a certain picture. We can't escape what these words mean.

We are responsible to believe or not but it was God who determined to indwell those who would believe with the Holy Spirit so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we can be conformed to the image of Christ.

I agree with that.

Who said anything about inspection? He just knows because He is God. He knows all things. He knows the future right up to the end of the age but we don't. You are speaking of Him as if He only existed within the realm of space and time, which He obviously does not.

I believe there is only one time that exists -- now. Nothing else has existence. But this is beside the point really. Follow me here.

As soon as we start talking about a timeless existence, then we can no longer talk meaningfully about the subject of predestination and foreknowledge. These two concepts are time dependent. That is, since they express events relative to each other in time, they lose all meaning outside of time.

Take the terms "before" and "after". These words are time dependent and convey time related information. The word "before" expresses a time earlier than now; and the word "after" expresses a time later than now.

The same applies to the word "foreordain". The prefix "fore-" in foreordain indicates that a decision was made before now to orchestrate a certain outcome in the future. For instance, in human terms, a man can foreordain the disposition of his effects in a written Will and Testament. At some point in the past, he has decided what will become of his effects at his death, which is hopefully long into the future. If the word "foreordain" has any meaning at all, it has to mean that God also made his decision before now.

Even if God exists outside of time, nonetheless the Bible has made meaningful statements about our ultimate destiny that is relative to OUR time. If God has preordained something about us, this appointment has been set earlier than now.

The same applies to the word "foreknow". Granting that God exists outside of time, the word "foreknow" talks about a time of knowing before now. If God foreknows what I will do today, he knows it before I do it. And so if God knows that I will believe before I make the choice to believe, and if he ordains that I will be his child based on a knowledge he had before I existed, then my destiny in this world has been set before I made my choice. Otherwise, if he must learn about my choice, if he must wait until I make a free choice, then he can't foreknow what my choice was before I made it.

Sounds like nonsense to me. I don't follow what you're trying to say here. What is the problem with God knowing everything in advance and then predestining certain things according to that knowledge? Why couldn't God do that? He's not confined to space and time. It seems that you are thinking of Him as if He was.

While God is not confined to space and time, the terms "foreknow" and "foreordain" talk about a time before now. So if the Bible says that God foreordained that Jesus should die on a cross, then God formulated his plan before the event took place. The terms "foreordain" and "foreknowledge" relate to our time, not God's time.

Now, there is nothing wrong with God knowing everything in advance and then preordaining that certain things should happen. This is what I believe. However, when I say that God knows everything in advance, I mean this literally. If God foreknows what will happen, he knows it before it happens, not after it happens.

Let's not beat around the bush. The concept that God knows what will take place in the future because he is outside of time comes from the wish to preserve man's freedom. Some believe that if God foreordains a man's decision, man loses his freedom. But the Bible clearly says that God foreordains those whom he foreknew. And so, we want to understand the term "foreknew" as if he knew everything all at once. This is fine, but this still does not preserve man's freedom.

Even if God is outside time we are not. And so if God knows what will take place in my future, my future has been set in stone already. Here is what I mean.

If a man must decide sometime in the future whether to buy a blue tie or a red tie, then the decision is indeterminate -- not established. Most people will agree, I think, that freedom of the will must imply that the man could, when the time came, chose either blue or red. If he chooses blue, it must also be the case that he could have chose red.

Neither do I. But since God exists outside of space and time and already knows the future, from His perspective it is kind of that way. But in the realm of space and time it is not.

Earlier you asked, "Who said anything about inspection?" The word "inspection" is another way of saying "go and see", which involves the facility of sight. You talked just now about God's perspective, and perspective is also related to the facility of sight. If we say that God knows what we will do because he takes advantage of his perspective outside of time and space, we are saying that he knows what we will do by inspection. He takes his position above it all to examine it.

Like I said, once we go outside of time, the distinction between "before" and "after" are meaningless. From God's perspective there is no "before" and "after" because he is seeing it all at the same time. But in order for us to discuss how events relate to each other and keep them in their proper sequence, we must use terms like "before" and "after". The least we can say is that God's knowing, comes sequentially before the events transpire in time.

For man to retain his freedom, his decision must be indeterminate before he makes it. But if God knows the man will choose blue over red, then the choice is fixed, otherwise God can't know it. If the choice is not fixed then God can't see it from any perspective.

Now, I realize that you want me to provide a verse that proves all this. But I'm suggesting that verses like the one in the first chapter of Ephesians, the eighth chapter of Romans, the first chapter of 1Peter, the second chapter of Acts, and all the rest, make this very point if we allow the terms "foreordain" and "foreknowledge" speak about time from our perspective, where it means something.

[9Marksfan]

I completely disagree. Why can't it be true that based on His knowledge of the future God foreordained for it to be the case that anyone who believed would be conformed to the image of Christ and would be adopted as sons?

Because (a) foreknowledge in Scripture means to choose to love ; and (b) left to our own devices, none of us would ever choose to believe in Christ, because we love darkness rather than light - God has to ENABLE us to believe - Jn 6:65.

Nowhere does scripture teach that God foreordained or predestined anyone to believe.

Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 NKJV

[theBelovedDisciple]

Because (a) foreknowledge in Scripture means to choose to love ; and (b) left to our own devices, none of us would ever choose to believe in Christ, because we love darkness rather than light - God has to ENABLE us to believe - Jn 6:65.



Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 NKJV

Exactly! spot on! yep uh huh... yep...

[Butch5]

Because (a) foreknowledge in Scripture means to choose to love ; and (b) left to our own devices, none of us would ever choose to believe in Christ, because we love darkness rather than light - God has to ENABLE us to believe - Jn 6:65.



Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48 NKJV

Acts 13:48 would better be translated disposed that appointed. The question is who disposed them? Was it God or was it themselves? Are there two different ways to salvation? Can some choose while others cannot? Notice the entire passage in Acts 13, does Luke tell us that the Jews can decide whether or not they want to be saved but the gentiles cannot. Notice Paul's statement to the Jews,

Acts 13:45-47 ( KJV )
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

The Jews judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. Yet the gentiles had no Choice??? I think verse 48 needs to be understood in light of verse 46. Unless there are two different ways to be saved then verse 48 cannot be saying that the gentiles were ordained regardless of their will.

[RogerW]

Acts 13:48 would better be translated disposed that appointed. The question is who disposed them? Was it God or was it themselves? Are there two different ways to salvation? Can some choose while others cannot? Notice the entire passage in Acts 13, does Luke tell us that the Jews can decide whether or not they want to be saved but the gentiles cannot. Notice Paul's statement to the Jews,

Acts 13:45-47 ( KJV )
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

The Jews judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. Yet the gentiles had no Choice??? I think verse 48 needs to be understood in light of verse 46. Unless there are two different ways to be saved then verse 48 cannot be saying that the gentiles were ordained regardless of their will.

Every man would judge themselves unworthy to receive eternal life, unless he/she is disposed otherwise according to an eternal decree. There is an influence of the Holy Spirit unto salvation (see Tit 3:5-6; Jo 1:13). This disposition or ordaining or appointment does not originate with themselves, but with God.

It is God's disposing them to embrace eternal life according to His will, a decree which is unchangeable because God is unchangeable. (see Ac 18:10; Ro 8:28-30; 9:15-16,21,23; Eph 1:4-5,11) Who are disposed and determined to embrace eternal life by the operation of the grace of God on their hearts. (Jo 3:36; Ac 2:47)

Blessings,
RW

[RogerW]

Roger,

Can you explain why God would have been grieved over having made mankind in Noah's day? Weren't they all, according to your doctrine, just doing what He predestined them to do? Or, in other words, not doing (repenting and believing) what they were not predestined to do? Why would that make Him angry and sad and cause Him to punish them? Not just with physical punishment at that time but also with eternal punishment on the day of judgment.

What kind of God is this that creates people without giving them a chance to be saved and that are destined for the lake of fire? Is that the God of the Bible who is impartial, desires all to repent and be saved and loves the world enough to send His Son to die for the sins of the whole world? I don't believe so, but I'm curious as to how you would explain all of this.

Does scripture not teach that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but wants them to repent before they die (Ezekiel 18:23, 33:11)? It seems that you would say He is pleased to just allow them to die and does not care that they do not repent because they were not predestined to repent and believe unto salvation.

Eric,

Mankind was not predestined to evil. Man willingly chose to disobey God, giving in to the forces of evil through the deception of the serpent. What happened to man after the fall? He became a slave of unrighteousness, in bondage to Satan, sin and death. After the fall man's natural state is wholly inclined to sin, and he cannot freely choose Christ for life, unless Christ, through the power of His Word and Spirit makes him/her willing.

When reading these passages of Scripture from Ezekiel you must realize that God is speaking through His prophet to people who are already in covenant with God. Again and again we read these warnings from God to those who say they love Him. Basically God is saying if you love me, turn away from sin, and be converted. These passages must be viewed not as God telling us we have a free will choice for eternal life, but as God giving His covenant people an ultimatum. If we love God, as His covenant people we claim to be, then we will obey His command to turn away from sin. And if we do not it is not because we have lost our salvation, but our rebellious hearts are exposed showing we have no true love for God after all. If we continue in sin, we die!

Many Blessings,
RW

[Butch5]

Every man would judge themselves unworthy to receive eternal life, unless he/she is disposed otherwise according to an eternal decree. There is an influence of the Holy Spirit unto salvation (see Tit 3:5-6; Jo 1:13). This disposition or ordaining or appointment does not originate with themselves, but with God.

It is God's disposing them to embrace eternal life according to His will, a decree which is unchangeable because God is unchangeable. (see Ac 18:10; Ro 8:28-30; 9:15-16,21,23; Eph 1:4-5,11) Who are disposed and determined to embrace eternal life by the operation of the grace of God on their hearts. (Jo 3:36; Ac 2:47)

Blessings,
RW

Sorry Roger,

I have been down that Road. You did not address the issue that I proposed. Paul says the Jews judged themselves unworthy. Are we to understand that Jews can choose whether or not they want t be saved, but the gentiles cannot?

[Butch5]

RogerW---After the fall man's natural state is wholly inclined to sin, and he cannot freely choose Christ for life, unless Christ, through the power of His Word and Spirit makes him/her willing.


John 1:5-9 ( KJV )
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

It seems that God gives eveyone understanding, so it seems everyone can freely choose.

[RogerW]

Sorry Roger,

I have been down that Road. You did not address the issue that I proposed. Paul says the Jews judged themselves unworthy. Are we to understand that Jews can choose whether or not they want t be saved, but the gentiles cannot?

Every man, left in his/her natural fallen state judge themselves unworthy, they can do none other until God makes them willing.

Many Blessings,
RW

[RogerW]

RogerW---After the fall man's natural state is wholly inclined to sin, and he cannot freely choose Christ for life, unless Christ, through the power of His Word and Spirit makes him/her willing.


John 1:5-9 ( KJV )
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

It seems that God gives eveyone understanding, so it seems everyone can freely choose.

"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." How do you reconcile vs 5 with "which lighteth every many that cometh into the world"?

How can you conclude "that God gives everyone understanding, so it seems everyone can freely choose", since the passage goes on to say "the world knew Him not"..."and His own received Him not"?

Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

So Christ is the Light of the world, but the darkness does not comprehend the Light, and the world does not know Christ, and His own do not receive Him...but you want us to believe every man can freely choose?

If we continue with the context we find that some do receive Him, and He gives them power to become the sons of God...AND these are born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Many Blessings,
RW