We may note the well known statement of the apostle Paul in Rom. 9:16, which is intended to show that man's will and work contribute nothing to salvation. The AV strictly renders the original, "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." Thankfully this is retained by the NKJV, but it is altered in NASB to "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." NIV, "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." ESV, "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." The inclusion of the word "depend" diminishes the absolute negative of the text, and leaves the door open for human will, desire, exertion or effort to be contributive in some measure to one's salvation.

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."