The Will of the Father Is That Believers Will Not Perish

January 1, 2017 by Bill Fiess in Grace in Focus Articles

I noticed something today in studying Matt 18:6-14. I completely agree with Bob Wilkin in his book The Ten Most Misunderstood Words in the Bible (p. 68) that this section is about believers. I was really struck with the similarity of Matt 18:14 and John 6:39. Each of those verses speak of the will of the Father and each say that it is His will that no believer should perish (apollumi):

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish [apollumi] (Matt 18:14).

This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose [apollumi] nothing, but should raise it up at the last day (John 6:39).

Also, John 10:27-29 says basically the same thing without using the exact expression the will of the Father:

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish [apollumi]; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

Bill Fiess

Bill Fiess teaches math in Virginia and can't believe he gets paid to have so much fun.

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