This is a verse the Arminian might grasp and say it is proof that salvation is there and available for all men. I say read it again. It reads, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Did you catch it? It has appeared TO all men, not FOR all men.
What’s the difference? Well first of all, please understand the plain difference in English. There IS a difference between “...to all men” and “... for all men.”
Second, the grace that brings salvation appearing to all men doesn’t mean that all men have the ability to see it, or hear it. As Jesus frequently says, he who has ears to hear, let him hear (Matthew 11:15; 13:9; 13:43; Mark 4:9; 4:23; 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35). He is obviously not referring to physical ears, but spiritual ears. And the fact that He even says it at all clearly implies there ARE those who do NOT have ears to hear or eyes to see. Let me give you an example.
One Sunday morning there were no lights turned on in the sanctuary at church at all and everyone came in by the light coming in the doors from the outside. Once everyone was inside and seated, and the doors were closed, I’m sure you would agree that it is very dark inside. At that moment, all the lights are turned on. The illumination from the lights is now appearing TO everyone present, including one member who is blind. Can she see the light? NO. Has it appeared to her? YES. Is she illuminated along with everyone else? YES. Has the light appeared FOR her? NO, because without eyes to see, it isn’t FOR her - it is only FOR those those who have eyes to see.
Bottom line - since the lost are spiritually DEAD, no lost person has eyes to see or ears to hear. This capability is received when God grants it (Deuteronomy 29:4) and He grants it ONLY to those He has chosen and even then, only at the time He has sovereignly planned.
We become children of God NOT by human decision. (John 1:13)
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