The Problem with Proof-Texting and Pronouns
We live in an era of shrinking attention spans and shock marketing. In order to compete with the meme of the moment, Christians on social media turn to isolated texts of the Bible. Their intention is noble, but this introduces a problem. When trying to make a point, without that point in its proper correlating context, the interpreter can misread the message.
Let us consider some passages to prove how pronouns can mislead people when isolated texts are employed.
First, “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet 2:24a).” The question is, who is “our”?
Second, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ dies for us (Rom 5:28). The question is, who is “us”?
Third, “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died (2 Cor 5:14).” The question is, who is “us” and “all”?
Fourth, “and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (Eph 5:2).” The question is, who is “you and “us”?
I suppose there is no end to the examples I could offer, but in making my point, I must pose the crux of the problem. There are many who misread, and many who teach wrongly, that the pronouns are inclusive. The “all” and “us” and “our” are read as everyone, everywhere, and at all times.
Context is crucial to show the reader of the Bible that an “us” implies a “them,” and an “our” implies a “their.” The further implication is the exclusive nature of these pronouns. Christ did not die for everyone, if there is an “us” and a “them.” If the Lord knows those who are His (2 Tim 2:19), then He must know those who are not His (Jn 10:26; Rom 8:9).
“All” is a bit more difficult to prove because it does not have an inclusive opposite. Christ loved “none” leaves us with nobody in the opposite camp. How then does “all” prove to be exclusive, not inclusive? One way is to show another numerically restrictive term, “for it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings (Heb 2:10).” “Many” coupled with “their” helps us to see that salvation is exclusive. “All” cannot mean all people. It does mean “all kinds” in some contexts, and it can mean “all of a specific group” in other contexts.
Take for instance, Romans 5:18, “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.” The first “all men” means everybody, everywhere, and at all times. The second “all men” (note: exact same words) means only the church for whom Christ gave Himself (Eph 5:25).
I suspect this short article will fail to prevent “all” people from throwing up their next social media Bible proof text, but I do hope it will make “some” think twice before adding to the confusion of the extent of Christ’s atonement.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for all — all that the Father gave Him before Creation (Jn 6:37; Jn 17:2, 6, 24). These are the many sons, who love the pronouns: “us”; “you”; “our”; and even “all” when they are used and understood properly.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
March 25, 2022
