To manifest those who will persevere. Perseverance doesn't attain unto salivation, but salvation manifests itself via perseverance (I don't think we can have a profitable discussion on this issue unless it's understood that "elect" are those whom God knows will be saved).
"If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" Albert Barnes ( 1798-1870)
- "So nearly would their pretended miracles resemble true miracles as to render it difficult to detect the imposture; so much so, that if it were possible they would persuade even true Christians that they were the Messiah. But that was not possible. His real friends would be too firmly established in the belief that He was the Christ to be wholly led away by others. Christians may be sometimes led far astray; they may be in doubt about some great doctrines of religion; they may be perplexed by the cavils and cunning craftiness of those who do not love the truth, but they cannot be entirely deceived and seduced from the Savior. Our Savior says that if this “were possible,” it would be done then; but it was not possible.
Matthew 24, Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible, Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible provides Christians with deep insights into the Scriptures, emphasizing original texts and historical context.
www.studylight.org
John Gil ( 1697-1771) - "The reason why they are elect, and why they are so called, is not because they are converted, are believers, and persevering Christians; but, on the contrary, the reason why they are converted, become true believers, and persevere to the end, is, because they are elected; conversion, faith, and perseverance are not the causes or conditions, but the fruits and effects of election."
Matthew 24 Bible Commentary - John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
When Scripture refers to "falling away" (
2Th 2:3), "fallen from grace" (
Gal 5:4), "depart from the faith" (
1Ti 4:1), it means they are separating themselves from professing the doctrines of such, and not from what the doctrines teach, which they never truly accepted as truth (apostatize - never been saved), or they would have "continued" - (
1Jo 2:19).
John Gill - "From the true grace of faith there can be no final and total apostasy, such as is here designed; for that can never be lost. It is of an incorruptible nature, and therefore more precious than gold that perishes; Christ is the author and finisher of it; his prevalent mediation is concerned for it; it is a gift of special grace, and is without repentance; it springs from electing grace, and is secured by it; and between that and salvation there is an inseparable connection; it may indeed decline, be very low, and lie dormant, as to its acts and exercise, but not be lost: there is a temporary faith, and a persuasion of truth, or a mere assent to it, which may be departed from, but not that faith which works by love: here it intends a profession of faith, which being made, should be dropped by some; or rather the doctrine of faith, which some would embrace, and then err concerning, or entirely quit, and wholly apostatize from."
Study 1 Timothy 4 using John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
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Albert Barnes - "Some shall depart from the faith
- The Greek word here - ἀποστήσονται apostēsontai - is that from which we have derived the word “apostatize,” and would be properly so rendered here. The meaning is, that they would “apostatize” from the belief of the truths of the gospel. It does not mean that, as individuals, they would have been true Christians; but that there would be a departure from the great doctrines which constitute the Christian faith. The ways in which they would do this are immediately specified, showing what the apostle meant here by departing from the faith. They would give heed to seducing spirits, to the doctrines of devils, etc."
1 Timothy 4, Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible, Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible provides Christians with deep insights into the Scriptures, emphasizing original texts and historical context.
www.studylight.org