PREDESTINATION?
There are those who would latch on to this passage in hopes of proving the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination. The argument is that there are still those whom God has elected (arbitrarily chosen) to save in Corinth. This passage does not prove this false doctrine, but rather the language simple tells us that through the omniscience of God He knows that even in the wickedness of Corinth there are honest souls who yearn for deliverance. [Charles Baily]
Please note that divine sovereignty in election is not a deterrent to human responsibility in evangelism. Quite the opposite is true! Divine election is one of the greatest encouragements to the preaching of the Gospel. Because Paul knew that God already had people set apart for salvation, he stayed where he was and preached the Gospel with faith and courage. Paul’s responsibility was to obey the commission; God’s responsibility was to save sinners. [Warren Wiersbe]
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