Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 10:28

δίδωμι. Not δώσω. Here as in John 3:15; John 5:24 and often, the gift of eternal life is regarded as already possessed by the faithful. It is not a promise, the fulfilment of which depends upon man’s conduct, but a gift, the retention of which depends upon ourselves.

οὐ μὴ�. εἰς τ. αἰ. Literally, Shall certainly not perish for ever: see on John 8:51. The negative belongs to ἀπόλωνται, not to εἰς τ. αἰ., and the meaning is, they shall never perish, not ‘they may perish, but shall not perish eternally:’ comp. John 11:26; Romans 8:38-39.

καὶ οὐχ ἁρπ. And no one shall snatch them. ‘No one’ rather than ‘no man’ (as in John 10:18) for the powers of darkness are excluded as well as human seducers. ‘Snatch’ rather than ‘pluck,’ for it is the same word as is used of the wolf in John 10:12, and this should be preserved in translation.

This passage in no way asserts the indefectibility of the elect, and gives no countenance to ultra-predestinarian views. Christ’s sheep cannot be taken from Him against their will; but their will is free, and they may choose to leave the flock.

χειρός. “His hand protects, bears, cherishes, leads them” (Meyer).

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 10:28

Old Testament

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