pav o in John 3:16 as Proof of Particular Redemption

by Michael Senders

Part 1: A Petition for a More Consistent Interpretation of pav o + verb Passages

Many preachers and teachers have made much of the traditional English
translation of pav o in John 3:16 as whosoever1. In recent times, some have gone
so far as to host entire conferences revolving around this passage. It is the intent of
this paper to show that the Greek construction pav o + verb has been translated by
English Bible versions inconsistently throughout the various passages in which it
occurs, most famously in John 3:16. The author will attempt to prove that this
construction can, and should, be translated more consistently, and in a way that does
not import an outside thought not present in the construction.2
The construction pav o3 + verb is found thirty-nine times within the New
Testament. Twenty-eight times the verb takes the present active participle form (Matt
5:28, 5:32, 7:21, 7:26; Luke 14:11, 16:18, 18:14; John 3:15, 3:16, 4:13, 6:40, 8:34,
11:26, 12:46; Acts 13:39; Rom 2:1, 10:11; 2 Tim 2:19; 1 Jn 2:29, 3:3, 3:4, 3:6 (twice),
3:15, 4:7, 5:1 (twice); 2 Jn 9), once in the present participle (Jn 18:37), three times in
the present middle participle (Matt 5:22; Luke 6:47; 1 Jn 2:23), three times in the
aorist active participle (Luke 20:18; John 6:45, 16:2), once in the aorist middle
participle (Gal 3:13), and three times in the perfect middle participle (John 3:8; 1 Jn
3:9, 5:18). Three more uses can be added for the form pavn o + verb: John 6:37
(present active indicative), 6:39 and 17:2 (perfect active indicative). It is interesting to
note that twenty-six of the forty-one uses are Johannine, with ten uses in the short
book 1 John alone.
First we will discuss the lexical meaning of pav. Pav has the generic
meaning of all, each, or every. When grouped with the article and a participle,
it means every one who, or whoever.4 The article, in this case acts as an
impersonal pronoun, meaning, the [one]. When grouped with a participle, it
receives the meaning of a relative clause, to which BAG adds, esp. after pav, and
suggests the translation, everyone who becomes angry, for pav o orgizo/meno at
Matt 5:22.5 Thus, any time pav o occurs with a verb, it should be viewed as a phrase,
and should not be broken apart during exegesis. Special attention should be given to
those of the Arminian theological persuasion, who on occasion, draw attention to pav
within these phrases by separating it from the rest of the phrase to underline the
[assumed] unlimited nature of pav when it occurs alone. Within the phrase, pav is
1

More modern translations, such as the NASB, use the cognate whoever.
It should be noted that the author has no intention of speculating about why the versions noted have
chosen to translate in the ways they have; such speculation is mere conjecture and is entirely fruitless.
The authors purpose is merely to point out that an inconsistency exists, and then to find an appropriate
solution.
3
This paper will limit its discussion to singular usage.
4
BAG, 637.
5
Ibid., 553.
2

limited only to those people participating in the action of the following verb. For
example, in John 3:16 according to the KJV, that He gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him, the emphasis may be put on whosoever, and
then explained that the Greek word behind it is pav, and that it therefore means that
the Son was given for all without exception. This is a clear case of dividing a phrase,
and a good reason for dropping whosoever from all modern translations. Within the
Greek phrase, pav is limited to its verbal participants. Hence, in John 3:16, the
monogenhv was sent so that all those believing in him might be saved. Pav
therefore is only describing the group of believers, not the whole of humanity.
When it comes to translation options, there are a variety of acceptable
possibilities, and choice has more to do with how fluid of a reading one is hoping to
achieve. We will use John 3:16 as an example. pav o pisteu/wn in its most rigid
literal translation could read, all the [ones] believing. Also acceptable may be,
everyone believing, all those believing, everyone who believes, etc. The most
rigid literal translation is unnecessary, as everyone that believes seems to be an
acceptable, readable translation that doesnt import foreign ideas and yet is true to the
intention of the Greek text.
So why this rigid adherence to whosoever, which imports a connotation that
the action of believing is open to anyone, an idea not present in the Greek text? John
3:16 and its surrounding context say nothing about the cause of ones faith, only that
believing is the necessary condition for the promise of eternal life. We will now look
at the full list of verses mentioned above in several popular versions for comparison,
to prove that the continued adherence to whosoever, or whoever, is forced, and
unnecessary.
Matt 5:22
Greek (NA27)
egw\ de\ le/gw
umivn oti pav o
orgizo/meno twv
adelfwv autouv
enoxo estai thv
kri/sei\...

KJV
But I say unto
you, That
whosoever is
angry with his
brother without a
cause shall be in
danger of the
judgment

NIV
But I tell you that
anyone who is
angry with his
brother will be
subject to
judgment.

NASB
But I say to you
that everyone
who is angry with
his brother shall
be guilty before
the court

ESV
But I say to you
that everyone
who is angry with
his brother will be
liable to
judgment

But I say unto

you, That
whosoever
looketh on a
woman to lust
after her hath
committed
adultery with her
already in his
heart.

But I tell you that

anyone who
looks at a woman
lustfully has
already
committed
adultery with her
in his heart.

but I say to you

that everyone
who looks at a
woman with lust
for her has
already
committed
adultery with her
in his heart.

But I say to you

that everyone
who looks at a
woman with
lustful intent has
already
committed
adultery with her
in his heart.

But I say unto

you, That

But I tell you that

anyone who

but I say to you

that everyone

But I say to you

that everyone

Matt 5:28
egw\ de\ le/gw
umivn oti pav o
ble/pwn
gunaivka pro\
to\ epiqumhvtai
auth\n hdh
emoi/xeusen
auth\n en thv
kardi/a autouv.

Matt 5:32
egw\ de\ le/gw
umivn oti pav o

apolu/wn th\n
gunaivka autouv
parekto\ lo/gou
pornei/a poieiv
auth\n
moiceuqhvnai

whosoever shall
put away his wife,
saving for the
cause of
fornication,
causeth her to
commit
adultery

divorces his wife,

except for marital
unfaithfulness,
causes her to
become an
adulteress

who divorces his

wife, except for
the reason of
unchastity, makes
her commit
adultery

who divorces his

wife, except on
the ground of
sexual
immorality,
makes her commit
adultery

Not every one

that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the
kingdom of
heaven

Not everyone
who says to me,
Lord, Lord will
enter the kingdom
of heaven

Not everyone
who says to Me,
Lord, Lord, will
enter the kingdom
of heaven

Not everyone
who says to me,
Lord, Lord, will
enter the kingdom
of heaven

And every one

that heareth these
sayings of mine,
and doeth them
not, shall be
likened unto a
foolish man,
which built his
house upon the
sand:

But everyone
who hears these
words of mine

Everyone who
hears these words
of Mine and does
not act on them,
will be like a
foolish man who
built his house on
the sand.

And everyone
who hears these
words of mine

Whosoever
cometh to me, and
heareth my
sayings, and doeth
them, I will shew
you to whom he is
like

I will show you

what he is like
who comes to me
and hears my
words and puts
them into
practice.

Everyone who
comes to Me and
hears My words
and acts on them,
I will show you
whom he is like

Everyone who
comes to me and
hears my words
and does them

For everyone
who exalts
himself will be
humbled

For everyone
who exalts
himself will be
humbled

For everyone
who exalts
himself will be
humbled

Anyone who
divorces his wife
and marries
another woman
commits

Everyone who
divorces his wife
and marries
another commits
adultery

Everyone who
divorces his wife
and marries
another commits
adultery

Matt 7:21
Ou pav o
le/gwn moi:
ku/rie ku/rie,
eiseleu/setai
ei th\n
basilei/an twvn
ouranwvn
Matt 7:26
Kai\ pav o
akou/wn mou
tou\ lo/gou
tou/tou kai\ mi\
poiwvn autou\
omoiwqh/setai
andri\ mwrwv,
osti
wkodo\mhsen
autouv te/n
oiki/an epi\ th\n
ammon
Luke 6:47
Pav o
erco/meno pro/
me kai\ akou/wn
mou twvn
lo/gown kai\
poiwvn autou/,
upowdei/xw umivn
ti/ni esti\n
omoio
Luke 14:11
oti pav o uywvn
eauto\n
tapeinwqh/setai

For whosoever
exalteth himself
shall be abased

Luke 16:18
Pav o
apolu/wn th\n
gunaivka autouv
kai\ gamwvn
ete/ran

Whosoever
putteth away his
wife, and marrieth
another,
committeth

adultery

moiceu/ei

adultery

Luke 18:14
for every one
that exalteth
himself shall be
abased

oti pav o
uywvn eauto\n
tapeinwqh/setai

For everyone
who exalts
himself will be
humbled

for everyone
who exalts
himself will be
humbled

For everyone
who exalts
himself will be
humbled

Everyone who
falls on that
stone will be
broken to
pieces

Everyone who
falls on that
stone will be
broken to
pieces

Everyone who
falls on that
stone will be
broken to
pieces

Luke 20:18
pav o pesw\n ep
ekeivnon to\n li/qon
sunqlasqh/setai

Whosoever shall
fall upon that
stone shall be
broken

John 3:8
to\ pneuvma
opou qe/lei pneiv
kai\ th\n qwnh\n
autouv akou/ei,
all ouk oida
po/qen ercetai
kai\ pouv
upa/gei: outw
esti\n pav o
gegennhme/no
ek touv
pneu/mato.

The wind bloweth

where it listeth,
and thou hearest
the sound thereof,
but canst not tell
whence it cometh,
and whither it
goeth: so is every
one that is born
of the Spirit.

So it is with
everyone born of
the Spirit.

The wind blows

where it wishes
and you hear the
sound of it, but do
not know where it
comes from and
where it is going;
so is everyone
who is born of the
Spirit.

So it is with
everyone who is
born of the Spirit.

That whosoever
believeth in him
should not perish,
but have eternal
life.

that everyone
who believes in
him may have
eternal life.

so that
whoever believes
will in Him have
eternal life.

that whoever
believes in him
may have eternal
life.

For God so loved

the world, that he
gave his only
begotten Son, that
whosoever
believeth in him
should not perish,
but have
everlasting life.

For God so loved

the world that he
gave his one and
only Son, that
whoever believes
in him shall not
perish but have
eternal life.

For God so loved

the world, that He
gave his only
begotten Son, that
whoever believes
in Him shall not
perish, but have
eternal life.

For God so loved

the world, that he
gave his only Son,
that whoever
believes in him
should not perish
but have eternal
life.

Jesus answered
and said unto her,
Whosoever

Jesus answered,
Everyone who
drinks this water

Jesus answered
and said to her,
Everyone who

Jesus said to her,

Everyone who
drinks of this

John 3:15
ina pav o
pisteu/wn en
autwv ech zwh\n
aiw/nion.

John 3:16
outw ga\r
hga/phsen o
qeo\ to\n
ko/smon, wste
to\n uio\n to\n
monogenhv
edwken, ina
pav o
pisteu/wn ei
auto\n mh\
apo/lhtai all
ech zwh/n
aiw/nion.
John 4:13
apekri/qh Ihsouv
kai\ eipen auth:
pav o pi/nwn ek

touv udato
tou/tou diyh/sei
pa/lin:

drinketh of this
water shall thirst
again:

will be thirsty
again

drinks of this
water will thirst
again

water will be
thirsty again

All that the

Father giveth me
shall come to
me

All that the

Father gives me
will come to
me

All that the

Father gives Me
will come to
Me

All that the

Father gives me
will come to
me

And this is the

Fathers will
which hath sent
me, that of all
which he hath
given me I should
lose nothing, but
should raise it up
again at the last
day.

And this is the

will of him who
sent me, that I
shall lose none of
all that he has
given me, but
raise them up at
the last day.

This is the will of

Him who sent
Me, that of all
that He has given
Me I lose nothing,
but raise it up on
the last day.

And this is the

will of him who
sent me, that I
should lose
nothing of all that
he has given me,
but raise it up on
the last day.

And this is the

will of him that
sent me, that
every one which
seeth the Son, and
believeth on him,
may have
everlasting life

For my Fathers
will is that
everyone who
looks to the Son
and believes in
him shall have
eternal life

For this is the will

of My Father, that
everyone who
beholds the Son
and believes in
Him will have
eternal life

For this is the will

of my Father, that
everyone who
looks on the Son
and believes in
him should have
eternal life

Every man
therefore that
hath heard, and
hath learned of
the Father,
cometh unto me.

Everyone who
listens to the
Father and learns
from him comes
to me.

Everyone who
has heard and
learned from the
Father, comes to
Me.

Everyone who
has heard and
learned from the
father comes to
me

Jesus answered
them, Verily,
verily, I say unto
you, Whosoever
committeth sin is
the servant of sin.

Jesus replied, I
tell you the truth,
everyone who
sins is a slave to
sin.

Jesus answered
them, Truly,
truly, I say to you,
everyone who
commits sin is the
slave of sin.

Jesus answered
them, Truly,
truly, I say to you,
everyone who
commits sin is a
slave to sin.

And whosoever
liveth and

and whoever
lives and believes

and everyone
who lives and

and everyone
who lives and

John 6:37
pavn o di/dwsi/n
moi o path\r
pro\ eme\ hxei

John 6:39
touvto de/ estin
to\ qe/lhma touv
pe/myanto/ me,
ina pavn o
de/dwke/n moi mh\
apole/sw ex
autouv, alla\
anasth/sw
auto\ [en] thv
esca/th hme/ra.
John 6:40
touvto ga/r
estin to\ qe/lema
touv parto/
mou, ina pav o
qeorwvn to\n
uio\n kai\
pisteu/wn ei
auto\n ech zwh\n
aiw/nion
John 6:45
pav o
akou/sa para\
touv patro\ kai\
maqw\n ercetai
pro\ eme/.

John 8:34
apekri/qh
autoiv
o Ihsouv: amh\n
amh\n le/gw umivn
oti pav o
poiwvn th\n
amari/an
douvlo/ estin
thv amarti/a.
John 11:26
kai\ pav o zwvn
kai\ pisteu/wn

ei eme\ ou mh\
apoqa/nh ei
to\n aiwvna.

believeth in me
shall never die.

in me will never
die.

believes in Me
will never die.

believes in me
shall never die.

I am come a light
into the world,
that whosoever
believeth on me
should not abide
in darkness.

I have come into

the world as a
light, so that no
one who believes
in me should stay
in darkness.

I have come as
Light into the
world, so that
everyone who
believes in Me
will not remain in
darkness.

I have come into

the world as light,
so that whoever
believes in me
may not remain in
darkness.

They shall put

you out of the
synagogues: yea,
the time cometh,
that whosoever
killeth you will
think that he
doeth God
service.

They will put you

out of the
synagogue; in
fact, a time is
coming when
anyone who kills
you will think he
is offering a
service to God.

They will make

you outcasts from
the synagogue,
but an hour is
coming for
everyone who
kills you to think
that he is offering
service to God.

They will put you

out of the
synagogues.
Indeed, the hour
is coming when
whoever kills you
will think he is
offering service to
God.

As thou hast
given him power
over all flesh, that
he should give
eternal life to as
many as thou hast
given him.

For you granted

him authority
over all people
that he might give
eternal life to all
those you have
given him.

even as You
gave Him
authority over all
flesh, that to all
whom You have
given Him, He
may give eternal
life.

since you have

given him
authority over all
flesh, to give
eternal life to all
whom you have
given him.

Every one that is

of the truth
heareth my voice.

Everyone on the
side of truth
listens to me.

Everyone who is
of the truth hears
My voice.

Everyone who is
of the truth listens
to my voice.

And by him all

that believe are
justified

Through him
everyone who
believes is
justified

and through
Him everyone
who believes is
freed

and by him
everyone who
believes is
freed

Therefore thou art

inexcusable, O
man, whosoever
thou art that
judgest:

You, therefore,
have no excuse,
you who pass
judgment on
someone else

Therefore you
have no excuse,
everyone of you
who passes
judgment

Therefore you
have no excuse, O
man, every one of
you who judges.

John 12:46
egw\ fwv ei to\n
ko/smon
elh/luqa, ina
pav o
pisteu/wn ei
eme\ en thv
skoti/a mh\
mei/nh.
John 16:2
aposunagw/gou
poih/sousin
umav: all
ercetai wra ina
pav o
apoktei/na
umav do/xh
latreian
prosfe/rein twv
qewv.
John 17:2
kaqw\ edwka
autwv exousi/an
pa/sh sarko/,
ina pavn o
de/dwka autwv
dw/sh autoiv
zwh\n aiwnion.

John 18:37
pav o wn ek
thv alhqei/a
akou/ei mou thv
fwnhv.
Acts 13:39
en tou/tw pav o
pisteu/wn
dikaiouvtai.

Rom 2:1
Dio\
anapolo/ghto
ei, w anqrwpe
pav o kri/nwn:

Rom 10:11
le/gei ga\r h grafh/:
pa o pisteu/wn
ep autwv ou
kataiscunqh/setai.

For the scripture

saith,
Whosoever
believeth on him
shall not be
ashamed.

As the Scripture
says, Anyone
who trusts in
him will never
be put to
shame.

For the Scripture

says,
WHOEVER
BELIEVES IN
HIM WILL NOT
BE
DISAPPOINTED.

For the Scripture

says, Everyone
who believes in
him will not be
put to shame.

Gal 3:13
epikata/rato,
pav o
krema/meno epi\
xu/lou,

Cursed is every
one that hangeth
on a tree:

Cursed is
everyone who is
hung on a tree.

CURSED IS
EVERYONE
WHO HANGS
ON A TREE

Cursed is
everyone who is
hanged on a
tree-

Let every one

that nameth the
name of Christ
depart from
iniquity.

Everyone
who confesses the
name of the Lord
must turn away
from
wickedness.

Everyone
who names the
name of the Lord
is to abstain from
wickedness.

Let everyone
who names the
name of the Lord
depart from
iniquity.

Whosoever
denieth the Son,
the same hath not
the Father

No one who
denies the Son has
the Father

Whoever denies
the Son does not
have the Father

No one who
denies the Son has
the Father

every one that

doeth
righteousness is
born of him.

everyone who
does what is right
has been born of
him.

everyone also
who practices
righteousness is
born of Him.

everyone who
practices
righteousness has
been born of him.

Whosoever
committeth sin
transgresseth also
the law: for sin is
the transgression
of the law.

Everyone who
has this hope in
him purifies
himself, just as he
is pure.

And everyone
who has this hope
fixed on Him
purifies himself,
just as He is pure.

And everyone
who thus hopes in
him purifies
himself as he is
pure.

Whosoever
committeth sin
transgresseth also
the law

Everyone who
sins breaks the
law

Everyone who
practices sin also
practices
lawlessness

Everyone who
makes a practice
of sinning also
practices
lawlessness

2 Tim 2:19
aposth/tw
apo\ adiki/a
pav o
onoma/zwn to\
onoma kuri/ou.

1 Jn 2:23
pav o
arnou/meno to\n
uio\n oude\ to\n
pate/ra ecei
1 Jn 2:29
pav o poiwvn
th\n
dikaiosu/nhn ex
autouv
gege/nnhtai.
1 Jn 3:3
kai\ pav o ecwn
th\n elpida
tauthn ep
autwv agni/zei
eauto/n, kaqw\
ekeivno agno/
estin.
1 Jn 3:4
Pav o poiwvn
th\n amarti/an
kai\ th\n
anomi/an
poieiv
1 Jn 3:6

pav o en autwv
me/nwn ouc
amarta/nei: pav
o amarta/nwn
ouc ew/rraken
auto\n oude\
egnwken auto/n.

Whosoever
abideth in him
sinneth not:
whosoever
sinneth hath not
seen him, neither
known him.

No one who lives

in him keeps on
sinning. No one
who continues to
sin has either seen
him or known
him.

No one who
abides in Him
sins; no one who
sins has seen Him
or knows Him.

No one who
abides in him
keeps on sinning;
no one who keeps
on sinning has
either seen him or
known him.

Whosoever is
born of God doth
not commit sin

No one who is
born of God will
continue to sin

No one who is
born of God
practices sin

No one born of
God makes a
practice of
sinning

Whosoever
hateth his brother
is a murderer

Everyone who
hates his brother
is a murderer

Everyone who
hates his brother
is a murderer

Anyone who
hates his brother
is a murderer

and every one

that loveth is
born of God, and
knoweth God.

Everyone who
loves has been
born of God and
knows God.

and everyone
who loves is born
of God and knows
God.

and whoever
loves has been
born of God and
knows God.

Whosoever
believeth that
Jesus is the Christ
is born of God:
and every one
that loveth him
that begat loveth
him also that is
begotten of him.

Everyone who
believes that Jesus
is the Christ is
born of God, and
everyone who
loves the father
loves his child as
well.

Whoever believes
that Jesus is the
Christ is born of
God, and
whoever loves
the Father loves
the child born of
Him.

Everyone who
believes that Jesus
is the Christ has
been born of God
and everyone
who loves the
Father loves
whoever has been
born of him.

We know that
whosoever is
born of God
sinneth not

We know that
anyone born of
God does not
continue to sin

We know that no
one who is born
of God sins

We know that
everyone who
has been born of
God does not
keep on sinning

1 Jn 3:9
Pav o
gegennhme/no
ek touv qeouv
amarti/an ou
poieiv
1 Jn 3:15
pav o miswvn
to\n adelfo\n
autouv
anqrwpokto/no
esti/n
1 Jn 4:7
kai\ pav o
agapwvn ek touv
qeouv
gege/nnhtai kai\
ginw/skei to\n
qeo/n.
1 Jn 5:1
Pav o
pisteu/wn oti
Ihsouv estin o
Cpristo\, ek
touv qeouv
gege/nnhtai, kai\
pav o agapwvn
to\n
gennh/santa
agapav [kai\]
to\n
gegennhme/non
ex autouv.
1 Jn 5:18
Oidamen oti
pav o
gegennhme/no
ek touv qeouv
ouc
amarta/nei
2 Jn 9

Pav o proa/gwn
kai\ me\ me/nwn en
thv didachv touv
Cristou qeo\n
ouk ecei.

Whosoever
transgresseth, and
abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ,
hath not God.

Anyone who runs

ahead and does
not continue in
the teaching of
Christ does not
have God.

Anyone who goes

too far and does
not abide in the
teaching of Christ,
does not have
God.

Everyone who
goes on ahead and
does not abide in
the teaching of
Christ, does not
have God.

Even a cursory reading of the above list will alert the reader to the wide swath
of interpretations that have been offered for the exact same construction in the Greek
text. The most shocking part is that each Bible version is largely consistent with one
interpretation. The most common interpretation for pav o in the KJV is whosoever,
used 27 times, and from this we can assume that for the translators of the KJV,
whosoever was the most appropriate translation at that period of time. The NIV,
NASB, and ESV each have the highest uses of everyone who, used 20, 27, and 27
times respectively. One immediately begins to question why so many varying
translations exist- 17 total translations plus variants of each- when it is apparent that
the translators see at least some need for consistency- a consistency not found in the
translation whoever. On the other hand, whoever, was only used by the NIV
twice, the NASB 7 times, the ESV 4 times, and in these uses, only 3 times is
whoever used in a non-salvific context; once in the NASB at 1 John 2:23, and twice
in the ESV at John 16:2 and 1 Jn 4:7. Whoever is evidently not the preferred
translation of pav o. It also seems that its usage is intentional in salvific contexts,
and that there is an adherence to unnecessary translational traditions in those contexts
against the preferred consistent translation.
Even more stunning is seeing the changes in translation of the same phrase.
Pav o gegennhme/no is used only 3 times in scripture, and yet has 8 different
translations between the four versions, none showing any consistency in translation.
Pav o pisteu/wn is used 6 times, and has 6 different translations, though they do
show consistency. This many variant translations is entirely unnecessary, as all the
passages together are capable of being translated consistently, as will be presently
shown.
Following is another table, similar to the above, containing each verse in
question. The Greek text is given, followed by a rigid translation, and then the
authors suggestion according to a consistent translation of the whole.

Matt 5:22
Greek (NA27)
egw\ de\ le/gw umivn oti pav o
orgizo/meno twv adelfwv
autouv enoxo estai thv
kri/sei\...

Rigid
But I say that all those being
angry with their brother, he is
guilty with the judgment

Suggested
But I say that everyone that is
angry with their brother is guilty
before the court

But I say to you that all those

looking at a woman with desire
for her has now committed
adultery with her in his heart.

But I say to you that everyone

that looks at a woman with lust
for her has already committed
adultery with her in his heart.

Matt 5:28
egw\ de\ le/gw umivn oti pav o
ble/pwn gunaivka pro\ to\
epiqumhvtai auth\n hdh
emoi/xeusen auth\n en thv
kardi/a autouv.

Matt 5:32
egw\ de\ le/gw umivn oti pav o
apolu/wn th\n gunaivka
autouv parekto\ lo/gou
pornei/a poieiv auth\n
moiceuqhvnai

But I say to you that all those

sending away their woman,
except for the reason of
immorality, makes her commit
adultery

But I say to you that everyone

that divorces his wife, except
for immorality, causes her to
commit adultery

Not all those saying to me:

Lord, Lord, will enter into the
kingdom of heaven

Not everyone that says to me,

Lord, Lord, will enter the
kingdom of heaven.

And all those hearing these

words of mine and not doing
them, will be like a foolish man,
who built his house upon the
sand.

And everyone that hears these

words of mine and does not do
them will be like a foolish man,
who built his house on the sand.

All those coming to me and

hearing my words and doing
them, I will show you what he is
like

Everyone that comes to me and

hears my words and does them,
I will show you what he is
like

For all those exalting himself

will be humbled

For everyone that exalts

himself will be humbled

All those putting away their

woman and marrying another
commits adultery

Everyone that divorces his wife

and marries another commits
adultery

for all those exalting himself

will be humbled

for everyone that exalts

himself will be humbled

All those falling upon that stone

will be broken

Everyone that falls upon that

stone shall be shattered

Matt 7:21
Ou pav o le/gwn moi: ku/rie
ku/rie, eiseleu/setai ei th\n
basilei/an twvn ouranwvn

Matt 7:26
Kai\ pav o akou/wn mou
tou\ lo/gou tou/tou kai\
mh\ poiwvn autou\
omoiwqh/setai andri\ mwrwv,
osti wkodo\mhsen autouv
te/n oiki/an epi\ th\n ammon
Luke 6:47
Pav o erco/meno pro/ me
kai\ akou/wn mou twvn
lo/gown kai\ poiwvn autou//,
upowdei/xw umivn ti/ni esti\n
omoio
Luke 14:11
oti pav o uywvn eauto\n
tapeinwqh/setai
Luke 16:18
Pav o apolu/wn th\n
gunaivka autouv kai\ gamwvn
ete/ran moiceu/ei

Luke 18:14
oti pav o uywvn eauto\n
tapeinwqh/setai
Luke 20:18
pav o pesw\n ep ekeivnon
to\n li/qon
sunqlasqh/setai

John 3:8
to\ pneuvma opou qe/lei pneiv
kai\ th\n qwnh\n autouv
akou/ei, all ouk oida
po/qen ercetai kai\ pouv
upa/gei: outw esti\n pav o
gegennhme/no ek touv
pneu/mato.

The wind blows where it wills

and you hear the sound of it, but
you do not know where it comes
and where it goes; in this way is
all those already born of the
Spirit.

The wind blows where it wills

and though you hear its sound,
you do not know from where it
comes or to where it goes; so it
is with everyone that is born of
the Spirit.

In order that all those believing

in him might have life
everlasting.

so that everyone that

believes in him might have
eternal life.

For in this way God loved the

world, that he gave the Son, the
unique one, so that all those
believing in him might not be
destroyed but have life
everlasting.

For in this way God so loved the

world, that he gave his unique
Son, so that everyone that
believes in him might not
perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus answered and said to her,

All those drinking from this
water will thirst again.

Jesus said to her, Everyone

that drinks this water will thirst
again.

All those the Father has given

me, to me he will come

Everyone given to me by the

Father will come to me

And this is the will of he who

sent me, that all those given me
from him, I might not lose, but
raise it up on the last day.

Now this is the will of the one

who sent me, that everyone
given to me I should lose none
of it, but raise it up on the last
day.

For this is the will of my father,

that all those seeing the son and
believing on him might have life
unending

For this is the will of my Father,

that everyone that sees the son
and believes on him might have
everlasting life

John 3:15
ina pav o pisteu/wn en
autwv ech zwh\n aiw/nion.

John 3:16
outw ga\r hga/phsen o qeo\
to\n ko/smon, wste to\n uio\n
to\n monogenhv edwken, ina
pav o pisteu/wn ei auto\n
mh\ apo/lhtai all ech zwh/n
aiw/nion.

John 4:13
apekri/qh Ihsouv kai\ eipen
auth: pav o pi/nwn ek touv
udato tou/tou diyh/sei
pa/lin:
John 6:37
pavn o di/dwsi/n moi o path\r
pro\ eme\ hxei
John 6:39
touvto de/ estin to\ qe/lhma
touv pe/myanto/ me, ina pavn
o de/dwke/n moi mh\ apole/sw
ex autouv, alla\ anasth/sw
auto\ [en] thv esca/th hme/ra.

John 6:40
touvto ga/r estin to\ qe/lema
touv patro/ mou, ina pav o
qeorwvn to\n uio\n kai\
pisteu/wn ei auto\n ech
zwh\n aiw/nion

John 6:45
pav o akou/sa para\ touv
patro\ kai\ maqw\n ercetai
pro\ eme/.

all those heard from the

father and learned comes to
me

Everyone that has heard and

has learned from the Father
comes to me

Truly, truly, I say to you, that

all those doing sin is a slave to
sin.

Truly, truly, I say to you, that

everyone that sins is its slave.

And all those living and

believing in me will with
absolute certainty not die
forever

And everyone that lives and

believes in me will certainly
never die

I came as light into the world,

that all those believing in me
might not remain in darkness.

I have come as light into the

world, that everyone that
believes in me might not remain
in darkness.

They will make you apart from

the synagogue, but the hour is
coming that all those killing
you will think they are offering
service to God.

They will banish you from the

synagogue, but the hour is
coming that everyone that kills
you will think they are offering
service to God.

Inasmuch as you gave him

authority over all flesh, that all
those given to him he might
give to them life unending.

Just as you gave him authority

over all flesh, that to everyone
that you have given to him he
might give them everlasting life.

all those being of the truth

hear my voice.

everyone that is of the truth

hears my voice.

In him all those believing are

justified

By him everyone that believes

is justified.

John 8:34
amh\n amh\n le/gw umivn oti
pav o poiwvn th\n amari/an
douvlo/ estin thv amarti/a.

John 11:26
kai\ pav o zwvn kai\
pisteu/wn ei eme\ ou mh\
apoqa/nh ei to\n aiwvna

John 12:46
egw\ fwv ei to\n ko/smon
elh/luqa, ina pav o
pisteu/wn ei eme\ en thv
skoti/a mh\ mei/nh.

John 16:2
aposunagw/gou
poih/sousin umav: all
ercetai wra ina pav o
apoktei/na umav dw/sh
latreian prosfe/rein twv
qewv.
John 17:2
kaqw\ edwka autwv
exousi/an pa/sh sarko/,
ina pavn o de/dwka autwv
dw/sh autoiv zwh\n aiwnion.

John 18:37
pav o wn ek thv
alhqei/a akou/ei mou thv
fwnhv.
Acts 13:39
en tou/tw pav o pisteu/wn
dikaiouvtai.

Rom 2:1
Dio\ anapolo/ghto ei, w
anqrwpe pav o kri/nwn

Therefore you are without

apology, O man, all those
judging

Therefore you have no excuse,

O man, everyone that passes
judgment

For the Scripture says, All

those believing in him shall not
be dishonored.

For the Scripture says,

Everyone that believes in him
shall not be put to shame.

Cursed are all those hanging on

a tree

Cursed is everyone that hangs

on a tree

Depart from unrighteousness,

all those naming the name of
the Lord.

Depart from unrighteousness,

everyone that names the name
of the Lord.

All those denying the son,

neither does he have the father.

Everyone that denies the Son

does not have the Father either.

all those doing righteousness

has been born of him.

everyone that practices

righteousness has been born of
him.

And all those having this hope

in him purifies himself, just as
he is pure.

And everyone that has this

hope in him purifies himself,
even as he is pure.

All those doing sin even does

lawlessness, and sin is
lawlessness.

Everyone that practices sin also

practices lawlessness, for sin is
lawlessness.

Rom 10:11
le/gei ga\r h grafh/: pa o
pisteu/wn ep autwv ou
kataiscunqh/setai.

Gal 3:13
epikata/rato, pav o
krema/meno epi\ xu/lou
2 Tim 2:19
aposth/tw apo\ adiki/a pav
o onoma/zwn to\ onoma
kuri/ou.

1 Jn 2:23
pav o arnou/meno to\n uio\n
oude\ to\n pate/ra ecei,

1 Jn 2:29
pav o poiwvn th\n
dikaiosu/nhn ex autouv
gege/nnhtai

1 Jn 3:3
kai\ pav o ecwn th\n elpida
tauthn ep autwv agni/zei
eauto/n, kaqw\ ekeivno
agno/ estin.
1 Jn 3:4
Pav o poiwvn th\n amarti/an
kai\ th\n anomi/an poieiv, kai\
h amarti/a esti\n h anomi/a.

1 Jn 3:6

pav o en autwv me/nwn6 ouc

amarta/nei: pav o
amarta/nwn ouc ew/rraken
auto\n oude\ egnwken auto/n.

All those remaining in him do

not sin, all those sinning has not
seen him, neither has he known
him.

Everyone that remains in him

does not sin; everyone that sins
continually has not seen him,
nor has he known him.

All those already born of God,

does not do sin

Everyone that has been born of

God does not practice sin

All those hating his brother is a

murderer.

Everyone that hates his brother

is a murderer.

and all those loving have

been born of God and knows
God.

and everyone that loves has

been born of God and knows
God.

All those believing that Jesus is

the Christ, is born of God, and
all those loving the one bearing
[also] love the one born of him.

Everyone that believes that

Jesus is the Christ, is born of
God; and everyone that loves
the Father loves those born of
him.

We know that all those born of

God do not sin

We know that everyone that

has been born of God does not
sin

All those going ahead and not

remaining in the teaching of
Christ does not have God.

Everyone that goes ahead and

does not remain in the teaching
of Christ does not have God.

1 Jn 3:9
Pav o gegennhme/no ek touv
qeouv amarti/an ou poieiv,

1 Jn 3:15
pav o miswvn to\n adelfo\n
autouv anqrwpokto/no
esti/n
1 Jn 4:7
kai\ pav o agapwvn ek touv
qeouv gege/nnhtai kai\
ginw/skei to\n qeo/n.

1 Jn 5:1
Pav o pisteu/wn oti
Ihsouv estin o Cristo\, ek
touv qeouv gege/nnhtai, kai\
pav o agapwvn to\n
gennh/santa agapav [kai\]
to\n gegennhme/non ex autouv.
1 Jn 5:18
Oidamen oti pav o
gegennhme/no ek touv qeouv
ouc amarta/nei

2 Jn 9
Pav o proa/gwn kai\ me\
me/nwn en thv didachv touv
Cristou qeo\n ouk ecei.

At this point it is the authors belief that his point has been proven; every use
of pav o + verb may be translated in a way that is consistent with all other uses. The
translations suggested are fluid, and consistent with not only the Greek, but also with
the other Bible versions for fluid transition from version to version. The most
important point is this: all connotations brought on by the more traditional English
renderings have evaporated. The more consistent translation has provided neutrality in
6

me/nwn is in boldface to show that it belongs to the construction, though it is separated by en autwv.

regards to the origin of the condition, effectively avoiding eisegetical importations to

the English rendering.
In conclusion to the first part of this study, the word whosoever, or
whoever, is unwarranted in any modern translation. It imports a foreign thought
into the construction and should be translated in a way that is consistent with its other
occurrences. In the case of John 3:16, the offer of salvation to whoever believes
is an eisegetical import not supported by the Greek. Instead, John 3:16 is neutral
regarding the cause of belief- it simply does not state why one believes. In the next
section, the author will attempt to prove a rule concerning the usage of pav o + verb,
and demonstrate that through this rule the cause of belief in John 3:16 may be
ascertained.

Part 2: Identifying a Rule Concerning the Use of pav o + Verb and the Argument for
Particular Redemption
After proving that it is possible to consistently translate the pav o + verb
construction, the most obvious question is, To what end? What is the purpose of
retranslating some of the Bibles most well known passages? The purpose is simple:
by removing a connotation that is not truly present, the true purpose of the
construction may be demonstrated. Each author makes use of pav o + verb to
demonstrate that if a certain condition exists (independent of the cause of the
condition), then a certain outcome will occur, or is occurring. The next table will
demonstrate this.

Verse
Matt 5:22
Matt 5:28
Matt 5:32
Matt 7:21

Luke 18:14
Luke 20:18
John 3:8
John 3:15
John 3:16

If
Angry with your brother
Looking at a woman with lust
Divorces wife
Saying Lord, Lord (but not
doing his will)
Hearing my words but not doing
them
Coming to me and hearing my
words
Exalts himself
Divorces wife and marries
another
Exalts himself
Falling on that stone
Born of the Spirit
Believing on Him
Believing on Him

John 4:13
John 6:37
John 6:39

Drinks of this water

Given by the Father
Given by Father to Christ

Matt 7:26
Luke 6:47
Luke 14:11
Luke 16:18

Then
Guilty before the court
Has committed adultery
Makes her commit adultery
Will not enter the kingdom of
heaven
Will be like a foolish man
Builds his house on bedrock
(v48)
Will be humbled
Commits adultery
Will be humbled
Will be shattered
Is like the wind
Has eternal life
Shall not perish; have eternal
life
Will thirst again
Will come to Christ
Christ will not lose (any); he

John 6:40
John 6:45
John 8:34
John 11:26
John 12:46
John 16:2

Looking and believing on Christ

Heard and learned of the Father
Sin
Lives and believes in Christ
Believes in Christ
Kills you

John 17:2
John 18:37
Acts 13:39
Rom 2:1
Rom 10:11
Gal 3:13
2 Tim 2:197
1 John 2:23
1 John 2:29
1 John 3:3
1 John 3:4
1 John 3:6a
1 John 3:6b

Given by God to Christ

Of the truth
Believes
Passing judgment
Believes
Hangs on a tree
Names the name of the Lord
Denies the Son
Practices righteousness
Has this hope (that we will be
like him, v2)
Practices sin
Abiding in him
Sinning

1 John 3:9
1 John 3:15
1 John 4:7
1 John 5:1
1 John 5:18
2 John 9

Born of God
Hates his brother
Loving
Believing that Jesus is the Christ
Born of God
Does not abide in the teaching

will raise it up on the last day

Will have eternal life
Comes to Christ
Is slave to sin
Will never die
Will not remain in darkness
Will think they are offering a
service to God
Christ gives eternal life
Hears the voice of Christ
Justified
Has no excuse
Will not be disappointed
Is cursed
Depart from unrighteousness!
Does not have the Father
Is born of the Father
Purifies himself
Practices lawlessness
Does not sin
Has not seen him and does not
know him
Does not practice sin
Is a murderer
Is born of God
Is born of God
Does not sin
Does not have God

The author believes he has identified an exegetical rule: In every instance that
pav o + verb is used, it occurs within a conditional statement. By conditional, the
author is not in any way insinuating that the if is conditioned upon the individual
who is taking part in the action of the verb; rather, in a neutral fashion, the authors are
simply stating that when the condition is met, the effect is definitely applied.
This brings a whole new emphasis to John 3:16 apart from the repeated
unlimited atonement emphasis on whosoever. The emphasis turns from an offer into
a promise- those believing on him will have eternal life. Everlasting life is the effect
of believing; it will certainly occur. Upon this fact can every Christian in every place
and at every time place the full of his or her hope. The Unique One of God was sent
by the Father not to make salvation an offer that may or may not be accepted
depending upon the free will choice of every individual at all times and at all places,
but to secure salvation for a certain people- those that believe. But what is that belief
contingent upon?
Based on the conclusion above, that pav o + verb is always includes a
conditional statement, we can find the answer for the question of the cause of belief in
John 3:16 within the table above. There is a string of pav o + verb passages in John

This may be the only exception, as it is the only example where the effect appears in the imperative.
Yet, it can still be understood in the prescribed notion if it is understood that Pauls command
definitely applies to those naming the name. The author believes his conclusion stands.

6 there are indications that God himself is the cause of each respective effect. This
fact makes it certain that the only acceptable cause for belief is God himself.
In John 6:36, Jesus addresses the crowd at the Sea of Galilee in regards to
their disbelief. Why do they not believe? The answer is found in the first of four pav
o + verb passages. In verse 37, Christ states why they do not believe: Everyone
given [pavn o de/dwke/n] to me by the Father will come to me The plain meaning
of the conditional factor here is that the primary reason one will come to Christ is
because the Father has given that one to Christ. The only argument against this
interpretation is to say that there may be some who come to Christ that are not given
by the Father, which is preposterous. The argument that being given by the Father is
first conditioned upon the free will choice of the moral agent is to turn the conditional
construction exactly backwards, and is an argument even more devoid of value than
the previous argument. The only way one can come to the Father is by being given to
Christ by the Father first. Verse 65 makes this explicit, And he was saying, For this
reason I said to you that no one is able to come to me unless it is given him from the
Father.
The next occurrence is in verse 39, Now this is the will of the one who sent
me, that everyone given [pavn o de/dwke/n] to me I should lose none of it, but raise
him up on the last day. The latter promise here has a parallel in verse 40, For this is
the will of my Father, that everyone that sees [pav o qewrw/n] the Son and believes
[kai\ pisteu/wn] on him might have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last
day, and 44, No one is able to come to me unless the Father who sent me draws
him, and I will raise him up on the last day. Every one of these passages refers to the
same group, that is, those that are raised up on the last day, the day when the dead in
Christ will rise again (John 11:24). There will not be any person who will be raised up
on the last day who does not fit all three conditions. Once again, coming to Christ
in faith is conditioned upon action by the Father.
The final occurrence is in verse 45, It is written in the prophets: And they
shall all be taught of God. Everyone that has heard [pav o akou/sa] and has
learned [kai\ maqw\n] from the Father comes to me. It has already been established
that those being raised up on the last day are given by the Father, and come to Christ.
Coming to Christ is a condition for being raised up. Therefore, in verse 45 we must
accept that the they are the same individuals in the previous passages because
comes in verse 45 corresponds with to come in verse 44, making comes in
verse 45 contingent upon being drawn by the Father. Those who have heard and
learned are the same as those that have been drawn and given by the Father.

In John 3:16, it is said that the Monogenes was sent to give eternal life to those
that believe in him. It has been established that coming to Christ is conditioned upon
being given to Christ by the Father. In John 6:40 the same idea as in John 3:16 is
expressed in nearly the exact same language:
3:166:408

ina pav o
pisteu/wn ei auto\n
ina pav o qeorwvn to\n uio\n kai\ pisteu/wn8 ei auto\n

Pav o does not occur with pisteu/wn in John 6:40, but should be supplied. kai\ connects pisteu/wn
with qeorwvn, making the group of those believing the same as those seeing, and the Greek author
(John) does not repeat pav o because it should be understood.

3:16- mh\ apo/lhtai all ech zwh/n aiw/nion.

6:40ech zwh\n aiw/nion
If in John 6:40, those receiving eternal life are raised up on the last day, and those
believing on him in 3:16 also receive eternal life, and those raised up on the last day
in 6:40 are the same group as those given by the Father to the Son in 6:37, 39 and
drawn by him in 6:44, then it is necessary to conclude that those believing in him in
John 3:16 do so because they were first given to him and drawn by the Father.
Therefore, it has been established that Christ came to save a particular people who
were predetermined by the Father and given to Christ. Christ did not come to make
salvation a possibility, but he came to do the will of [the] Father, which was to
definitely save a particular people.
In conclusion, we have established the following points:
1. pav o + verb constructions have been inconsistently translated in popular
Bible versions.
2. It is entirely possible to consistently translate pav o + verb constructions.
3. A consistent translation of pav o + verb constructions removes the free
will connotation of whoever in John 3:16 and similar passages.
4. pav o + verb constructions occur in conditional statements in every use.
5. The pav o + verb conditional statements in John 6 render an
interpretation of John 3:16 that defines the cause of believing as being
given to Christ by the Father.