Once Saved, Always Saved?
My Beloved Brother/Sister;
(2 Corinthians 2:17)
1. Once Saved, Always Saved?
Authorized Version 1611 & King James Bible 1769
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Analytical Concordance to the Bible: Robert Young, 1880.
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The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
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Thayer's Greek Lexicon.
Greek Text:
Beza 1598 & Stephanus 1550 Textus Receptus
"He that Believeth..."
"We will begin by defining the word "believeth"
Mark 16:16
“He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, but he that believeth not, shall be damned.”
*** The first step is to understand what the word (believeth) means. Below is how Mark 16:16 reads in the Greek text of:
Beza 1598 & Stephanus 1550 Textus Receptus.
Ὁ (the) πιστεύσας (one-believing) καὶ (and) βαπτισθεὶς (being-baptized) σωθήσεται (shall-be-being-saved)· ὁ (the) δὲ (yet) ἀπιστήσας (one-disbelieving), κατακριθήσεται (shall-be-being-condemned).
Stephanus Textus Receptus 1550
Ὁ (the) πιστεύσας (one-believing) καὶ (and) βαπτισθεὶς (being-baptized) σωθήσεται (shall-be-being-saved)· ὁ (the) δὲ (yet) ἀπιστήσας (one-disbelieving), κατακριθήσεται (shall-be-being-condemned)
Now, lets look at the Morphology for the Greek word:
πιστεύσας-(pisteusas)-"that believeth": Verb - Aorist Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine. If I may, I would like to draw my focus to the Active- which represents the subject as the doer or performer of the action. In this case, the doing of the action would be "believing". In other words, ("He that is believing..."). And to convince you that this is true, we will analyze the words: "shall be saved". The Morphology for the Greek word: σωθήσεται-(sothesetai)-"shall be saved" is: Verb - Future Passive Indicative - 3rd Person Singular. The Future-Corresponds to the English future, and indicates the contemplated or certain occurrence of an event which has not yet occurred. The Passive-Represents the subject as being the recipient of the action. e.g., in the sentence, "we were comforted" the subject "we" receives the action. The Indicative-Is a simple statement of fact. If an action really occurs or has occurred or will occur, it will be rendered in the indicative mood. In other words, if we could amplify Mark 16:16, then it would read: "He that is believing and is baptized will be saved". Now, lets continue by analyzing the remainder of the verse. The Greek word for: "that believeth not" is: ἀπιστήσας-(apistesas)-Verb - Aorist Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine. As you can see, this word is in the (Active), thus, implying: "the one disbelieving, or, "the one un-believing" shall be damned. The Greek word for: "shall be damned" is: κατακριθήσεται-(katakrithesetai)-Verb - Future Passive Indicative - 3rd Person Singular. That is, the damnation occurs in the (Future) and the (Passive) means you are the recipient of the action, that is, the damnation. Also, the morphology is the same as in the Greek word σωθήσεται-(sothesetai)-"shall be saved". In both cases, the believer or non believer receive their due recompense in the future. The believing Christian must continue to believe and not apostate /abandon /renounce /forsake if he seeks to be saved. Notice, that both "shall be saved" and "shall be damned" are not in the Active Voice nor Present Tense.
The unbelieving man has a guaranteed condemnation if he perishes in his unbelief. Both are true to each other, on the one hand, a believer can apostatize just as the unbeliever can become a believer. To be fair, one might conclude that this verse simply means that a believer's final destiny is salvation and for the unbeliever, condemnation.
"For the above to be true, there must be consistency in the scriptures."
Revelation 21:7
“He that overcometh-νικῶν-(nikon)-(to gain the victory, to conquer), shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
Beza Greek New Testament 1598
Ὁ (the) νικῶν (one-conquering) κληρονομήσει (shall-be-tenanting) πάντα (all), καὶ (and) ἔσομαι (I-shall-be) αὐτῷ (to-him) Θεὸς (God), καὶ (and) αὐτὸς (he) ἔσται (shall-be) μοι (to-me) υἱός (son)
***Here is another good example. the Greek word for that overcometh is:
νικῶν-(nikon):Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: The Present-Represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time. The Active-which represents the subject (He) as the doer or performer of the action-(overcoming). Or, ("He that is overcoming") shall inherit-κληρονομήσει (kleronomesei): Verb - Future Active Indicative - 3rd Person Singular: The Future-Corresponds to the English future, and indicates the contemplated or certain occurrence of an event which has not yet occurred. The Active-which represents the subject (He) as the doer or performer of the action-(inheriting). Or, ("shall be inheriting") and I will be-ἔσομαι-(esomai):Verb - Future (No voice stated) Indicative - 1st Person Singular: The Indicative- Is a simple statement of fact. If an action really occurs or has occurred or will occur, it will be rendered in the indicative mood.
At first, it may seen confusing to understand the above, although the tense is in the Future, it does not imply that God is not our God and Father now. For, he is the Father of the (believer), however, the question is, are you overcoming-(Present Active), believing-(Present Active), abiding-(Present Active), obeying-(Present Active)? if so, then you shall be inheriting-(Future Active) everlasting life. Furthermore, ("... he shall be-ἔσται-(estai): Verb - Future (No voice stated) Indicative - 3rd Person Singular. Same morphology as: "I will be" with the exception of the 3rd Person-indicates the subject of the verb. Third person is the he/she/it/they perspective.
Revelation 3:5
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his Angels.”
Beza Greek New Testament 1598
Ὁ (the) νικῶν (one-conquering), οὗτος (this-one) περιβαλεῖται (shall-be-being-clothed) ἐν (in) ἱματίοις (garments) λευκοῖς (white)· καὶ (and) οὐ (not) μὴ (no) ἐξαλείψω (I-shall-be-erasing) τὸ (the) ὄνομα (name) αὐτοῦ (of-him) ἐκ (out) τῆς (the) βίβλου (scroll) τῆς (of-the) ζωῆς (life), καὶ (and) ἐξομολογήσομαι (I-shall-be-acclaiming) τὸ (the) ὄνομα (name) αὐτοῦ (of-him) ἐνώπιον (in-view) τοῦ (of-the) πατρός (Father) μου (of-me), καὶ (and) ἐνώπιον (and) τῶν (of-the) ἀγγέλων (messengers) αὐτοῦ (of-him).
***This verse is similar to Revelation 21:7. He that overcometh-νικῶν- (nikon): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: Or, ("He that is overcoming") shall be clothed-περιβαλεῖται- (peribaleitai): Verb - Future Middle Indicative - 3rd Person Singular: The Middle-Denotes that the subject is both an agent of an action and somehow concerned with the action.The Future-Corresponds to the English future, and indicates the contemplated or certain occurrence of an event which has not yet occurred. Or, "shall be (Future) clothed". We can learn from this verse, that to be clothed in white raiment, we must be overcoming until: a) we fall asleep-(die), or b) the Lord Jesus returns at his second coming. Again, a non-believer is not overcoming the world, temptation, evil, etc., because he is a non believer. But we believers must overcome, in John 16:33 Jesus said: "...I have overcome-νενίκηκα-(nenikeka): Verb - Perfect Active Indicative - 1st Person Singular: The Perfect- tense says that an action was completed at a time before the present, and the results or consequences of the action are relevant now. The Active-which represents the subject (Jesus) as the doer or performer of the action. Jesus overcame the world.” And in case you are wondering, the Greek words: νικῶν-(nikon)-"that overcometh" & have overcome-νενίκηκα-(nenikeka) mean: to gain the victory, to conquer. This is a perfect example of two separate conditions; one denotes a present action: (overcoming/conquering-Present Active) while the other is a completed action in the past with present results: (have overcome-Perfect Active).
"Here is another verse with the "Present Active"
1 John 5:5
“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Beza Greek New Testament 1598
Τίς (who?) ἐστιν (is) ὁ (the) νικῶν (one-conquering) τὸν (the) κόσμον (world), εἰ (if) μὴ (no) ὁ (the) πιστεύων (one-believing) ὅτι (that) Ἰησοῦς (Jesus) ἐστιν (is) ὁ (the) υἱὸς (son) τοῦ (of-the) Θεοῦ (God);
***lets take a closer look at this verse. Who is-ἐστιν-(estin): Verb - Present (No voice stated) Indicative - 3rd Person Singular: Notice, the word (is) is in the Present-"meaning, is occurring in actual time") he that overcometh-νικῶν-(nikon): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: As you already know, The Present-Represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time. The Active-which represents the subject (He) as the doer or performer of the action-(overcoming). Or, ("Who is he that is overcoming the world"), but he that believeth-πιστεύων-(pisteuon): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: This word is also in the Present Active. Or, ("he that is believing") that Jesus is-ἐστιν-(estin): Verb - Present (No voice stated) Indicative - 3rd Person Singular: Notice, the word (is) is in the Present-"meaning, is occurring in actual time"). And also, the Greek word: νικῶν-(nikon)-"that overcometh" means: to gain the victory, to conquer, (or, gaining the victory, conquering, overcoming -in the Present Active).
As you can see Brothers, to (believe) is not a one time thing. The believer must continue to believe, persevere, strive, overcome, endure, abide, etc. For the scripture did not speak in vain in Luke 13:24 when it saith: “Strive-Ἀγωνίζεσθε (agonizesthe)-Verb - Present Middle or Passive Deponent Imperative - 2nd Person Plural: The Present-Represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time. The Imperative-expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the one commanding. Thus, it is properly said “Strive" to enter in at the strait gate..." If my salvation is guaranteed, then what need is there to Strive- (agonize, contend, (to endeavor to accomplish something):—fight, labor fervently, strive.)?
"What is a Subjunctive Mood?"
John 6:40
“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Stephanus Textus Receptus 1550
τοῦτο (this) δὲ (yet) ἐστιν (is) τὸ (the) θέλημα (will) τοῦ (of-the) πέμψαντος (one-sending) με (me), ἵνα (that) πᾶς (every) ὁ (the) θεωρῶν (one-beholding) τὸν (the) υἱὸν (son), καὶ (and) πιστεύων (believing) εἰς (into) αὐτὸν (him) ἔχῃ (may-be-having) ζωὴν (life) αἰώνιον (eonian) καὶ (and) ἀναστήσω (shall-be-raising) αὐτὸν (him) ἐγὼ (I) τῇ (the) ἐσχάτῃ (last) ἡμέρᾳ (day)
***In this verse, we will learn a new mood. First, we will begin from the top; And this is-ἐστιν (estin): Verb - Present (No voice stated) Indicative - 3rd Person Singular. The Present- which indicates that the action is in the now. The Indicative- which describes a situation that actually is — as opposed to a situation that might be, is wished for, or is commanded to be),...that every one which seeth-θεωρῶν (theoron): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: The Active-which represents the subject as the doer or performer of the action. Or, ("every one which is seeing/beholding"-(who so sees him as to believe in him; for this is not to be understood of a corporeal sight of Christ)...and believeth-πιστεύων-(pisteuon): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: Or, ("and is believing") on him, may have-ἔχῃ (eche): Verb - Present Active Subjunctive - 3rd Person Singular: The Subjunctive-which expresses probability or possibility. The action described (having) may or may not occur, depending upon circumstances. Or, to amplify the verse: "And this is (presently now) the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth (is seeing) the Son, and believeth (is believing) on him, may have (may be having (depending on whether you are or are not seeing/believing) everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
John 3:14-15
14“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Beza Greek New Testament 1598
Ἵνα (that) πᾶς (every) ὁ (the) πιστεύων (one-believing) εἰς (into) αὐτὸν (him), μὴ (no) ἀπόληται (should-be-perishing), ἀλλ᾽(all) ἔχῃ (may-be-having) ζωὴν (life) αἰώνιον (eonian).
*** This is yet another verse that uses the Subjunctive mood. Lets begin with verse (15): That whosoever believeth-πιστεύων (pisteuon): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: Again, the tense: Present and the voice: Active indicate an action is taking place in present time. Or, (That whosoever is believing) in him should/perish-ἀπόληται-(apoletai): Verb - Second Aorist Middle Subjunctive - 3rd Person Singular: The Middle-which indicates that the subject-(whosoever) performs the action (perishing), and that commonly upon himself or for himself. The Subjunctive-which expresses probability or possibility. The action described (perishing) may or may not occur, depending upon circumstances) not-μὴ-(me): Particle, Disjunctive Particle - Negative-Expressing a choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities. In other words, That whosoever is believing in him should not be perishing, but (have-ἔχῃ-(eche): Verb - Present Active Subjunctive - 3rd Person Singular: The Subjunctive-which expresses probability or possibility. The action described (having) may or may not occur, depending upon circumstances). Or, "That whosoever is believing in him should not be perishing, but may be having eternal life." In other words, it all stems from believing, if you are believing, then you are not perishing, and if you are not perishing, then you are having eternal life, but if you are not believing, then you are perishing, and not having eternal life. The Greek definition for ἀπόληται-(apoletai) is: to loose, loose away.
"Who is he that hath life?"
1 John 5:12
“He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son, hath not life.”
Beza Greek New Testament 1598
Ὁ (he) ἔχων (one-having) τὸν (the) υἱὸν (son), ἔχει (is-having) τὴν (the) ζωήν (life)· ὁ (the-one) μὴ (no) ἔχων (having) τὸν (the) υἱὸν (son) τοῦ Θεοῦ, τὴν (the) ζωὴν (life) οὐκ (not) ἔχει (is-having).
***Okay, lets analyze this verse. He that hath-ἔχων-(echon): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: The Present- which indicates that the action is in the now. The Active-which represents the subject (He) as the doer or performer of the action. Or, (He that is having) the Son, (hath-ἔχει-(echei): Verb - Present Active Indicative - 3rd Person Singular: The Indicative-which describes a situation that actually is — as opposed to a situation that might be, is wished for, or is commanded to be. Or, (He that is having the Son, is having) life; and he (that hath-ἔχων-(echon): Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine: Or, (He that is having the Son, is having life; and he that is having not the Son, (hath-ἔχει- (echei): Verb - Present Active Indicative - 3rd Person Singular.
Or, the final reading:
"He that is having the Son, is having life; and he that is having not the Son, is having not life.
How do we Abide in Christ
Now,
If I may, I'd like to clarify what it means to believe; as some of you may think to say that I am proposing that one must be believing every second of his life, that is not the case. For I know that we believers do fall into temptation, lack faith, stumble, backslide, or sin. Remember, the church of Corinth was filled with babes in Christ; with error upon errors. However, the implication I am trying to stress out is that we have a life journey in which we must abide in Christ, obey the truth, be fruitful, resist evil, and much more. And for us to be Christ-like, our faith has to mature and grow. And we can only accomplish this if we are constantly seeking God. To believe does not mean to acknowledge someone or something, or some event. To believe means to act upon, to have faith, love, obedience, prayer, spiritual, hope, forgive, repent, etc. So when scripture says to believe, it means exactly that; to be filled with all that God wants us to be.
"...Shall Be Saved"
John 6:40
“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Τοῦτο δὲ ἐστι τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πέμψαντος με, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ θεωρῶν τὸν υἱὸν, καὶ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον· καὶ ἀναστήσω αὐτὸν ἐγὼ τῇ ἐσχάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ.
John 9:31
John 3:18
“He that believeth on him, is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Ὁ (the) πιστεύων (one-believing) εἰς (into) αὐτὸν (him), οὐ (not) κρίνεται (is-being-judged). ὁ (the-one) δὲ (yet) μὴ (no) πιστεύων (believing) ἤδη (already) κέκριται (has-been-judged), ὅτι (that) μὴ (no) πεπίστευκεν (he-has-believed) εἰς (into) τὸ (the) ὄνομα (name) τοῦ (of-the) μονογενοῦς (only-begotten) υἱοῦ (son) τοῦ (of-the) Θεοῦ (God).
***Here is another verse that uses the word (believeth). The Greek word for: "that believeth" is: πιστεύων-(pisteuon): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine. The tense: present-Represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time. In most cases this corresponds directly with the English present tense. The Active-represents the subject as the doer or performer of the action. In other words, "He that is believing"-(Present Active) is not οὐ-(ou): Particle, Disjunctive Particle - Negative: Expressing a choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities. The Greek word for: "is condemned" is: κρίνεται-(krinetai): Verb - Present Passive Indicative - 3rd Person Singular. The Present-Represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time. The Passive-Represents the subject as being the recipient of the action. e.g., in the sentence, "we were comforted" the subject "we" receives the action. In other words, it is a fact, that He that is believing is not in condemnation (so long as he continues to believe Present (actual time), but he that believeth-πιστεύων-(pisteuon): Verb - Present Active Participle - Nominative Singular Masculine) not μὴ-(me): Particle, Disjunctive Particle - Negative: Expressing a choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities) is condemned κέκριται-(kekritai): Verb - Perfect Passive Indicative - 3rd Person Singular. The Perfect-The present perfect tense says that an action was completed at a time before the present, and the results or consequences of the action are relevant now. In other words, he that is believing not, has been in condemnation because of the action of not believing. Why? because he hath-πεπίστευκεν-(pepisteuken): Verb - Perfect Active Indicative - 3rd Person Singular) not-μὴ-(me): Particle, Disjunctive Particle - Negative) believed-πεπίστευκεν-(pepisteuken): Verb - Perfect Active Indicative - 3rd Person Singular. In other words, he has been in condemnation because (he hath-Perfect (an action-(not believing) was completed at a time before the present, and the results or consequences of the action are relevant now-(Active)) not-(Expressing a choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities) believed-Perfect (an action-(believing) was completed at a time before the present, and the results or consequences of the action are relevant now-(Active)). Or, "he is condemned because he has not believed, and continues not to believe".
"What is A Subjunctive Mood?"
John 15:7
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
John 14:16
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
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