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Originally Posted by KMK  Quote:
Originally Posted by DMcFadden Yes, when I was a four pointer, I could rationalize the "many" in Hebrews 9 the same way I now do the "all" in certain other passages. We "all" acknowledge that "all" does not "always" mean "all." Why would "many" pose any greater problem? | I understand, but the 'many' in vs. 28 is clearly in contrast to the implied 'all' men die and go to judgment in vs. 27.
If the passage said, "And as it is appointed unto many men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." then I would have no problem seeing both 'manys' refering to all men. But why would the author of Hebrews use the word 'many' in verse 28 and not in verse 27?
I did read in JFB that (in their view) the 'many' in verse 28 is in contrast to 'few' not 'all'. But it did not explain their exegesis. The word 'few' is not present or implied anywhere in the context.
I have never been a UA person and I am desiring to understand their point of view. I guess it is a matter or 'rationalization'. |
I think one could also see that the "many" is contrasted with the one man Christ Jesus who offered himself "once." Romans 5:16-19 shows this emphasis more clearly:
"But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the
one the
many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the
one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the
many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from
one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from
many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the
one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through
the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous."
As Calvinists, we are used to interpreting "many" as in contrast to "all," but I think the regular use of "many" is to contrast it to "few," or "one."