Problem Verses - Part 2

So, I've laid out the problem. We know that God in some way wills that no one perishes (2 Peter 3:9), that all should come to repentance (1 Tim 2:3-4). We know that God is Sovereign -- works all things after the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11). We know that God may grant repentance (2 Tim 2:25). And we know that some perish. So how do we put together God's will that all should repent and not perish, God's Sovereignty that guarantees that God's will is always accomplished, and the fact that not all repent, that some do indeed perish?

I was trying to think of an example in life, but a biblical one occurred to me, so let's go with that. In his epistle to the church at Philippi, Paul expresses a personal dichotomy. He is of two minds. "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil 1:21). And it's a difficult problem for him. "I am hard pressed between the two" (Phil 1:23). He says, "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account" (Phil 1:23-24). So, let's ask ourselves. What is the "will of Paul" in this instance? We don't have to guess. His "desire" is to depart. So, why doesn't he? Because the other option is "more necessary." We see, then, that Paul has a will -- a desire -- that is not being fulfilled and it is by his own choice -- his own will -- because a higher desire precedes it in importance.

Does this occur in God? Again, we don't have to guess. We know (because we've already seen it) that God desires all to be saved. But we also know that it is God's will (thelō) to "show His wrath and to make known His power" on "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction" (Rom 9:22). Using Paul's language in the previous example, God is saying, "My desire is that all should come to repentance and that none should perish, for that is better, but to demonstrate my power and wrath against vessels of wrath prepared for destruction is more necessary." Could God make us all into "vessels of mercy" (Rom 9:23)? Yes! He has that capability. But His aim is to "make known the riches of His glory" which would be incomplete without demonstrating His power and wrath against sinners. So as a more necessary choice, God is opting to set aside one desire -- one will -- in favor of a higher, better, "more necessary" one.

We do this all the time. A couple of simple earthly examples. No good parent wants to inflict their child with pain, but they do so willingly if it is an inoculation (for instance) that will save that child's life. Two desires; one overrides the other. Husbands want to get what they want, but they are commanded to love their wives by laying down their own lives. Two desires; one overrides the other. It's common. God does it, too. So God desires all to be saved, but God has a better, more necessary plan. His plan is to more fully demonstrate His glory to His people. Much better. So instead of using these types of texts against each other like ammunition for a personal cause, we should see what God has in mind and find in it His ultimate glory, since that's His ultimate plan.