For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all?
Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:
For many
“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”” (Mark 10:45)
For all
“who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:6)
(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)
Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:
- When dealing with skeptics’ claim of Bible contradictions it seems one can never be reminded enough of what exactly is a contradiction. A contradiction occurs when two or more claims conflict with one another so that they cannot simultaneously be true in the same sense and at the same time. To put it another way, a Bible contradiction exists when there are claims within the Bible that are mutually exclusive in the same sense and at the same time.
- One should be skeptical of whether this is a Bible contradiction given the Skeptic Annotated Bible’s track record of inaccurately handling the Bible. See the many examples of their error which we have responded to in this post: Collection of Posts Responding to Bible Contradictions. Of course that does not take away the need to respond to this claim of a contradiction, which is what the remainder of this post will do. But this observation should caution us to slow down and look more closely at the passages cited by the Skeptic Annotated Bible to see if they interpreted the passages properly to support their conclusion that it is a Bible contradiction.
- The skeptic tries to pit both Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 as affirming the claim “Jesus was a ransom for many” against 1 Timothy 2:6 as affirming “Jesus was a ransom for all.” All here seems to be understood as everyone with no exception as the term is used by the skeptic.
- Examining the two verses cited as affirming Jesus was a ransom for many” we do see these verses do establish the point that “Jesus was a ransom for many.”
- Both Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 report the same event with Jesus saying the same thing. They are Gospel parallel.
- Both verses in the English says “many.”
- In the Greek both verses Jesus used the same word πολλῶν. This adjective does mean many.
- Also “many” and “all” are not contradictory since they are not mutually exclusive. “Many” is a subset of “all” in the sense of “everyone without exception of even one.” Already at this point there is no contradiction.
- 1 Timothy 2:6 was cited to support the claim that “Jesus was a ransom for all.” A superficial look would seem that “all” would mean “all” in the sense of all without a single exception. But a closer look at the Greek word for “all” here indicate the Greek term has its particular meaning.
- The word for “all” here in the Greek is πάντων.
- Typically in our English vocabulary the meaning of “all” is understood as “everything without exception.” But we want to know what the Greek word means and its lexical range rather than just the English word to translate the Greek term. The Greek word does not necessarily mean English sense that we often understand it. The Greek term can mean “all sorts of… (various categories)” in a sense that doesn’t require the meaning of “every/all (with no exceptions).”
- The use of the Greek adjective of πάντα and its various declined form does not necessarily have to take the meaning of “every/all (with no exceptions)” in its usage in other verses.
- For instance 1 Corinthians 10:23 states “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” Clearly Paul doesn’t mean everything is lawful with no exception. If that was the case there would be no such thing as sin. Rather the Greek function of “all” often refer to every sort of class or categories.
- 1 Corinthians 13:7 is another example. See our discussion in our response to the alleged Bible contradiction “Should we believe in unseen things?“
- 1 Timothy 6:10 is a third example. See our discussion in our response to the alleged Bible contradiction “Is money good or bad?“
- John 21:25 is a fourth example. See our discussion in our response to the alleged Bible contradiction “Does the gospel of Luke contain everything that Jesus did?“
- John 15:15 is a fifth example. See our discussion in our response to the alleged Bible contradiction “Did Jesus tell his disciples everything?“
- Still a final example see our discussion in response to the alleged Bible contradiction “Should we believe everything?“
- Also within the context of 1 Timothy 2:6 it does not seem to be likely that 1 Timothy 2:6 is trying to teach that we should believe everyone without exception. Earlier in 1 Timothy 2:1 Paul said to pray for all people. But then in verse 2 it lists types and kinds of people, in a way that is consistent with what I’m arguing about here of how “all” should be understood.
- Just in case someone think our consideration of the lexical range of the meaning of the Greek term πάντων is illegitimate because we are saying the word has more than one meaning consider how English and any other natural language also have words with more than one meaning. Consider the example of the English word “whopper,” “love” and ““left.“
- This can get much more theological than space permit here. For a resource on the extent of the atonement I recommend this book especially the argument climaxed in the last chapter: Free PDF and Review: The Plan Of Salvation by Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield.
- Thus there is no contradiction here. Seems like the skeptics need to learn from our post How to Handle Bible Contradictions.
- We shouldn’t miss that worldviews are at play even with the skeptic’s objection to Christianity. The worldview of the author of the Skeptic Annotated Bible actually doesn’t even allow for such a thing as the law of non-contradiction to be meaningful and intelligible. In other words for him to try to disprove the Bible by pointing out that there’s a Bible contradiction doesn’t even make sense within his own worldview. Check out our post “Skeptic Annotated Bible Author’s Self-Defeating Worldview.”
[…] Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all? […]
Thanks for examining this contradiction. I appreciate your word study of all/πάντα. I had to smile a bit while reading because you did touch upon the historical and ongoing debate within evangelical Christianity over the understanding of the extent of Christ’s atonement. In that sense, Wells’ inclusion of this “for many” vs. “for all” “contradiction” has some merit because evangelicalism has not resolved the two opposing interpretations. I write this with all charity, brother, as I hope you know, as a Reformed-leaning Calvinist-Baptist-Arminian. 😊
Yes I know you are writing this with all charity lol. I know this might be one in which some might think about the discussion of limited and unlimited atonement lol. I try not to make it all about unlimited atonement from theological arguments but focused on the grammar and exegesis on hand lol. How’s the weather for you guys, does it permit major leaves operation today?
RE: Yes I know you are writing this with all charity
Good! I didn’t want you to think I was going “Charles Finney” on you! LOL.
RE: Leaves
I think I’m still recovering from Wednesday, but I strapped on the blower anyway and gave the entire lawn a once over. Collected 4 tarpfulls. The only things left is to rake the leaves out of an ivy patch in one corner of the backyard.
How’s your day looking?
Thank you, Pastor Jim.
Your welcome! Have a big blessed and delightful day in the Lord today my dear Maw Maw!
You also.
Thank you, Jim. You are in a unique position to preach and to write the truth of the grace in which we “all” stand together in Christ. When God’s Word has the preeminence over pre-conceived ideas, He speaks clearly. In the study of John 17, it is difficult to get past the first three verses without coming to grips with “all” who will receive “eternal life.” Jesus said He was “given authority to give eternal life to those the Father had given Him.” We could spend all day cross-referencing “all” who are given to Him. “All who believe” is often referenced. Jesus died for “all” His people. “All” who come to Him He will not cast off, but “raise them up at the last day.” I have to stop or I will be re-writing your post. Blessings, as you continue to proclaim Christ in His power and glory.
Thank you for the insights on the extent of meaning of the Greek word “all” and refuting this alleged Bible contradiction, Jim! You are right, worldview is definitely at play here. GOD bless you, Nancy, and the kids!
Worldview is definitely at play. Looking at the news about hurricane Vamco it doesn’t seem too clear but it sounds like to me now there is a transition to rescue and recovery period. I wish the US Marines and Navy can be involved with helping with helicopter rescue and providing aid.
How we wish that will be the case, Jim, or is it, I’ve no news. We will leave that as sort of fore sight/wisdom of the administration that they should tap the assistance of the US and other countries. During the recovery period due to Super Typhoon Haiyan, international assistance was a blessing and even a force multiplier to local rescuers.
I was reading and commenting one of your contradictions, went to your homepage and it delighted me to see you write up another one
Thanks. I was hoping you would look at the Greek here. Very helpful.
Blessings.
Nice job, Jimmy! This is one that as Tom mentioned can be emotional for people. All does not have to mean all without exception. I have heard many preachers say when you read your Bible, and you see all, it means ALL 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️context is king. Thank you for providing context and clarity. I appreciate your knowledge of Greek, it helps my walk in Christ!!! Say hi to Nancy and your girls for me!
Thanks for your comment and reading this. Hope ya’ll 👀😱have a blessed day today, you and Nathan. I figure the saying “you all” to be one of English’s interesting saying, it doesn’t mean everyone with no exception in referencing the whole earth, etc. Hope this post wasn’t too Combative Calvinistic, sometimes being a 5 pointer with TULIP there’s a sense others have seen cage stage Calvinist scorching the internet lol. Any plans for you and Nathan this weekend?
Hahahhaha “cage stage” I have a friend whose been stuck in that for 10 years 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ I’ll be honest, the atonement was my biggest challenge. I would say I am less dogmatic on the atonement than I am on the other 4. I do not think you were at all combative. To be completely honest, you write about Greek with far more confidence and much less words than you do with Hebrew. That’s NOT being negative or judgmental! That’s also NOT bad or negative criticism. Having read your blogs and being in study with you I can literally hear your voice and you are much more at ease than if you were to make the same point about atonement using the psalms. Again, not judging I just really appreciate your confidence and understanding of Greek. If this has been unhelpful I am sorry! You refuted the Skeptic well! Biblical theology and systematic theology are interrelated!
Nathan and I are going to have a quiet weekend at home. My mom will come in town next weekend and be here for 5 weeks (only God knows what kind of quarantine she will have to do if any). What are you teaching the youth this weekend?!?!
Thank you for this post. It has cleared a few things.
You’re welcome! Hope you got rested up this Saturday from yesterday’s ministry =)
Thank you
We had a great time reaching people
Amazing that the argument for a contradiction (made from a shallow but literal view of Scripture), is presented by someone who probably says we shouldn’t take The Bible literally.
Good point and observation there RG. Good to always hear from you, hope you have a good weekend brother RG! Any plans with family?
Just rest and animation study. Finding out Wednesday whether or not I need to start steroid treatment. It looks like the sarcoidosis may be going into remission but I’m still tired. Thanks for asking, Jim. 🙂
Many is a subset of “all” as you pointed out. Yet the word “all” must be understood in the Geek use. No contradiction here at “all.”
This must sour some atheist day lol
These discussions are always interesting. Being a novice with the deeper meanings of the Bible, it is beneficial to hear from scholars who know so much more than I.
Thank you for the many comments on my blog today! Thank you for reading this post as I try to answer it to help people who want to really know how this is not a problem, trying to remove obstacles and barriers people might have or think they have from trusting in Jesus as Savior. I’m also learning from others more learned than I and also from all of us on WordPress which I enjoy! Speaking of your dad earlier, I imagine he lives in Montana?
What a noble endeavor correcting these so called Bible contradictions that this atheist website list out
[…] 2.) Bible Contradiction? Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all? […]
People will go to amazing lengths to avoid the conclusion that Scripture is God’s Word. It demonstrates the bondage of the will, and spiritual blindness. May atheists who read this give up their air of being “reasonable” and surrender to Jesus to be saved
They’re sure scraping the barrel!
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[…] A seventh example: “Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all?“ […]
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[…] Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all? […]
[…] Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all? […]
[…] There’s a related matter to this alleged contradiction that I have dealt with here: Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all? […]
[…] Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all? […]
[…] Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all? […]