Contextual Examination Of The Word "all" In The New Testament
by Don Hewey
return to indexThe primary purpose of this brief illustration is to enlighten the reader to the contextual limitations that are highlighted in this study. Careful and prudent care must be adhered to when using the word "all" in scripture. In Universalism, "all" is commonly referred to as "all, with no exceptions" in most of the universalist quotations. This is clearly refuted by many many verses in the New Testament. This is only a partial listing of the verses that clearly show limitations to the word "all," not exhaustive, but there are enough examples here to give the reader deeper insight and raise awareness to the wiles and schemes of Universalism.
Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
In Matthew 2:16, a two-fold problem with the application of the word 'all' is only referring to male children and obviously Jesus Christ was not killed by Herod, Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross.Matthew 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Obviously here in Matthew 4:9, the word "all" is only referring to what satan can give. satan cannot give wisdom, nor eternal life, nor can satan raise one from the dead. Obviously context is of utmost importance in this example. satan can only give death.Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
"All" in Matthew 6:33 is only pertaining to those things which God can give us, in this specific case, only righteous things. God cannot sin, nor can He lie, etc.Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Obviously Jesus Christ here is only referring to those apart from Him. He was not referring to Christians! This is further exemplified in: 2Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
"All" here in Matthew 12:31 is used with an exception---the exception of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.Matthew 19:11 But he said unto them, All [men] cannot receive this saying, save [they] to whom it is given.
Obviously "all" men are not married, some men do in fact marry. Jesus Christ is making an important distinction here in Matthew 19:11, between those called to be single or married.Matthew 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
The young man did not keep "all" of the commandmants as he stated. He disobeyed Jesus Christ's commandment by idolizing the things that he had. That is the sin of idolatry.Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
"All" righteous things. Not evil things.Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
"All" is only referring to the scribes and the Pharisee's. See Matthew 23:2 and also 23:5. Then Jesus Christ denies the scribes and Pharisee's will enter heaven! See Matthew 23:13 and 23:33.Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
"All" here is not referring to "all" future events, but events which will precede the end, which is also confirmed in verse 24:8.Matthew 24:8 All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.
"All" here is not referring to "all" future events, but events which will precede the end. See also Matthew 24:6.Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
"All" is only referring to the ten virgins in verse 25:1.Matthew 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended.
Peter is a man but yet said that "all men shall be offended." Clearly Peter is talking about those apart from Jesus Christ.Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.
"All" the people apart from Jesus Christ. The disciples did not say "let Him be crucified" in Matthew 27:23, although the disciples DID walk away from the LORD, they did not say that He should be crucified.Mark 1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
"All" of those that were with Jesus Christ, not everyone in the land of Judaea.Mark 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
"All" refers to only those that were sick and posessed with devils. See Mark 1:32 - 34.Mark 1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All [men] seek for thee.
"All" did not seek Jesus Christ, only those called by Him. Ask Judas or King Herod. Herod only sought to kill Jesus Christ, not for salvation as Nicodemus did.Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
"All" refers to sins other than blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. See Mark 3:29, Matthew 12:31 & Luke 12:10.Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:
This verse illustrates a two-fold problem for those that adhere to teaching that "all" is without exception.
(1) "all" in context to Mark 4:11 is only referred to those that "are without." Or in other word's, those outside of Jesus Christ. See Mark 4:34.
(2) Upon deeper study, we find that those outside of Jesus Christ have no understanding. Literally speaking, those outside of Jesus Christ are blind, deaf and without sound reasoning.
Mark 4:12 "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand;..."Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all [men] did marvel.
"All" men did not marvel at the work Jesus Christ did. Some were offended(the Pharisee's, those of the Sanhedrin and the Sadducees, for example) by the breaking of the sabbath, offended many by preaching that He was God.Mark 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
"All" only refers to the legion discussed in Mark 5:9 and confirmed in Mark 5:13 "...about two thousand..." There are more than two thousand devils in scripture---1/3 of the angels in heaven fell with lucifer.Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.
"All" only refers to those that believe in Him.Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
"All" the world was not taxed by Caesar. Caesar did not rule the entire world.Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
"All" flesh will see, but "all" will not accept this free gift of salvation however. King Agrippa, Judas, King Herod, etc.John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash [his] feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
"All" here is only referring to the eleven disciples, exclusive of Judas. See John 13:11.John 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
"All" here is only referring to those outside of Jesus Christ by showing others as a good witness of the love they have for one another.John 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
"All" here is only referring to committing evil against those in Jesus Christ. see John 15:18 - 20.John 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
"All" here is very obvious---only those who belong to Jesus Christ (John 17:9).Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
"All" is only referring to the unrighteous, not Christians, for those in Christ are cleansed from all of their unrighteousness.Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
"All" in 10:12 illustrates two distinct groups of people: those that believe in Jesus Christ and those that do not. Jesus Christ judges all creation for He is God, only The Creator can righteously judge His creation.Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
"All" is everyone ever created? Hardly not. "All" in Romans 11:32 are those outside of the Body of Christ. Try studying Hebrews 11:Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered unto God..."
Hebrews 11:5 "By faith Enoch was translated...that he pleased God."
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham,..."
Hebrews 11:11 "Through faith also Sara..."
Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],
Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness (Romans 4:3,4:5, 4:9, Galatians 3:6, etc.).
David's faith was also counted as righteousness (Romans 4:6, etc.)1Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
"All" is making a distinction here, that although "all" things are lawful, "all" are not beneficial to one. "All" in this verse, is stating that there are both good and bad in all things.1Corinthians 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
"All" is only referring to the Body of Christ, for "all" men do not posess gift's of God except believer's. Paul is using the word 'gift' in the context of different calling's of Christ within the Body. See the context of 1 Corinthians 7:11 - 16 to confirm this.1Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some.
"All" here is contrasting on how believer's should serve to witness to unbeliever's.1Corinthians 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
"All" were only the Jews. See 1 Corinthians 10:1. God was not pleased with all of them, for some were idolaters and lusted after evil. God did this as an example unto others. See 1 Corinthians 10: 5 - 11.1Cr 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
"All" were only the Jews. See 1 Corinthians 10:1.1Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all [men] in all [things], not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of many, that they may be saved.
Paul did not please all men. Ask the Pharisees. King Agrippa wanted to kill Paul because he was preaching about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, Jesus Christ promised that believer's would suffer many things for His namesake, etc.1Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
"All" is only referring to those in the Body of Christ. Read 1 Corinthians 12:3 - 13
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1Corinthians 15:24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
"All" is only referring to evil(see 1Corinthians 15:25) power: satan has the power of death and darkness is a power (Ephesians 6:12).1Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
"All" is only referring to the Body of Christ---believer's. See 1Corinthians 12:6.1Corinthians 15:39 "All flesh [is] not the same flesh..."
"All" is making a distinction between which type of flesh. There are differences.Acts 13:39 "And by him all that believe are justified from all things,..."
"All" that believe are only saved thru Jesus Christ. Not all believe however. Ask King Agrippa, King Herod, Judas.....etc.Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
"All" outside of Christ seek their own. Paul and the disciples devoted their lives and GAVE their lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ.Romans 9:6 "...For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel:..."
"All" is clearly referring to making the distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles, but all of Israel, the moment Jesus Christ returns, will realize that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. "All" of Israel at that moment in time will be saved. See also Romans 11:7 - 10:Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Romans 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Romans 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.1Corinthians 12:29 [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles?
1Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
"All" obviously here in verses 12:29 - 30 are referring only to the Body of Christ. Contextually, 1 Corinthians 12:1-28 clearly establish that the Body of Christ is shown and the duties and various ministries that exist within the Body of Christ. How each member is important even though even member of that Body can be distinct and diversified.2Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
"All" is obviously not everyone ever created, for most of humanity has not read the bible, but is only referring to those who are (or will be) in the Body of Christ.2Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.
"All" is only referring to those in the Body of Jesus Christ by the words "we must all". Also, this is the "bema seat" of Christ, not the Great White Throne of Judgment for the unrighteous.Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
"All" is referring to everyone, no exceptions. However, the promise of eternal life is only to those that believe.Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.
"All" is only referring to those outside of the Body of Christ to put forth a good witness of the faith that it is Jesus Christ. "All" men are not living in moderation!Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.
"All" things unto himself can only denote those who are cleansed from their unrighteousness (See Colossians 1:14) by the blood of Jesus Christ. Those under the earth (i.e. Philippians 2:9-10) are not reconciled. Note the difference and distinction of "...those under the earth..."1Thessalonians 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
"All" is very obviously not talking about those in Christ, Jesus Christ promised that believers will suffer persecution for His namesake(see also Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14, Luke 6:28, etc.).1Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
"All" in context here is both bad and good, however the distinction is made in 5:21 to hold onto only the good, not "all, with no exceptions."2Thessalonians 2:9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
"All" is not without exception in 2:9 for very obvious reasons, for satan is only the father of lies, satan cannot give life, but only death. satan cannot resurrect anyone from the dead, etc. Only God has all power!1Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].
This is an excellent verse in the illustration of contextual usage of the word "all" in scripture. "Among yourselves, and to all men." is clearly contrasting the Body of Christ and to "all" unbelievers!