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The purpose of this comment is NOT to support either Calvinism or Armianism (so PLEASE, do NOT respond to it with scriptural evidence for one or the other positions), but to show that, in this case, as with most verses in this debate, BOTH sides have valid arguments from this passage, as BOTH sides require INTERPRETATION of the verse. So which is correct? The honest answer is that we don't know for sure. I lean toward the Arminian interpretation, but I am honest enough to admit there are scriptures that are difficult to explain from the Arminian perspective. I have a lifelong friend who leans toward the Calvinist interpretation, and is also honest enough to admit there are scriptures that are difficult to explain from the Calvinist perspective.

The purpose of this comment is NOT to support either Calvinism or Armianism (so PLEASE, do NOT respond to it with scriptural evidence for one or the other positions), but to show that, in this case, as with most verses in this debate, BOTH sides have valid arguments from this passage, as BOTH sides require INTERPRETATION of the verse. So which is correct? The honest answer is that we don't know for sure. I lean toward the Arminian interpretation, but I am honest enough to admit there are scriptures that are difficult to explain from the Arminian perspective. I have a lifelong friend who leans toward the Calvinist interpretation, and is also honest enough to admit there are scriptures that are difficult to explain from the Calvinist perspective.

Bottom line: there are sincere and honest believers doing the work of the Lord who hold to BOTH perspectives, so let's not make this a point for division, but rather, simply a point where we can say that we disagree, but we will serve the Lord together, side by side anyway, continuing to show love and respect for those who hold to a different position from our own. Let us learn to disagree without being disagreeable. If we can't do that with each other, how will we EVER learn to love the unbelievers, with whom we disagree about almost everything? --[[User:MBack|MBack]] 12:30, 18 February 2010 (EST)

Bottom line: there are sincere and honest believers doing the work of the Lord who hold to BOTH perspectives, so let's not make this a point for division, but rather, simply a point where we can say that we disagree, but we will serve the Lord together, side by side anyway, continuing to show love and respect for those who hold to a different position from our own. Let us learn to disagree without being disagreeable. If we can't do that with each other, how will we EVER learn to love the unbelievers, with whom we disagree about almost everything? --[[User:MBack|Michael Back]] 12:30, 18 February 2010 (EST)