Monday, August 29, 2011

Bible Truth #260 - Luke 2:13-14

KJV
13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

NASB
13  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14  "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

NIV
13  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

ESV
13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

RSV
13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

ASV
13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14  Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

NLT
13  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God:
14  "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.”

The literal Greek Translation
13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude army of heavenly praising - God and saying:
14  Glory in highest [places] to God and on earth peace among men of goodwill

I believe there is significant evidence to support the conclusion that the King James Version of these two verses is vague, leaving verse 14 to be misunderstood by most Christians and misrepresented by Arminians. The NASB is accurate and it is supported not only by several other versions but also the literal Greek Translation. It says ...peace among men of goodwill. Well who are men of goodwill? Spiritually speaking, who will receive “good will” from God? It certainly will not be everyone! The evidence is found not only in verse 14, of course, but in the general idea taught throughout God’s Word about the depravity of lost man being dead in his sins (Ephesians 2:1, 2:5, Colossians 2:13) as well as verses that identify men whom God hates (Psalm 5:5, Psalm 11:5, Bible Truth #66).

Just as John 3:16 is misunderstood by many who believe God loves every soul who ever lived (He doesn’t, see Bible Truth #66), the angels in verse 14 above were NOT telling the shepherds that there will be peace and good will toward ALL mankind. This interpretation is not correct. Please take a closer look at verse 14 in the NASB.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

On earth, peace among men with whom God is pleased. Is God pleased with ALL men? Absolutely not. In fact, Paul tells us that a lost man can NOT please God (Romans 8:8). God is certainly not pleased with the workers of iniquity, whom He hates (Psalm 5:5). He is certainly not pleased with the wicked and those who love violence, whom He hates (Psalm 11:5). So who IS God pleased with? Answer - He is pleased with His Elect, those He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).

The bottom line - a simple word study will show that even in the angelic pronouncement of our Savior’s birth you will find that He did not come to make salvation “available” to all men. The angels proclaimed the birth of our Savior and peace among those men with whom He is pleased, i.e. the Elect.

Jesus came “to save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21), NOT everybody.

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