Draw and Drag
Cited from: Synonyms of The New Testament: Richard Trent, Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1975 pgs. 72-77
Certainly these words differ and their difference has impact on the theological view of “Sovereign Grace,” or “Calvinism.”
Comparing these words, by definition and usage, we find that with “drag” there is always the idea of force. Such as the headlong course of a river dragging with it all that is within its power. Also, that where persons, and not merely things are being dragged, it involves the notion of violence (Acts 8:3, 14:19, 17:6, and Luke 12:58) where in the KJV “hale” is literally dragging down. But in “draw” this notion of force or violence does not of necessity exist. It may be there (Acts 16:19, 21:30, James 2:6) but is not a requirement to the word; its usage is not forced to be a violent action.
The word “draw” has for the most part the sense of drawing to a certain point. While to “drag” is often used as being dragged after one, such as hooked fish dragged through the water. No allowance is made for the will of those being dragged; it is done either against the will or the subject had no will or mind of its own, thus it is forcibly.
Draw is to bring one to a point or position without force, violence, and without the idea of a violation of the will. This bears heavily on two important passages, both in John. The first is 12:32: ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all* men unto Me.” Again (John 6:44) “No man can come to Me except the Father which hath sent Me draw him.” In neither instance is the notion of drag present. It is in the sense of drawing one to a point or a position and no further. Nor is it present the sense of compelling against the will of man. At the point to which men are drawn they must by their own will decide to either to proceed further than the point of drawing or return to their former condition. Also noted is the fact in verse 32 that all men, all humanity, are to be drawn and not just a portion or to a selection of men is this action to be taken. This is contrary to the view of “irresistible grace” where the will is either forced or altered to such a state that no choice is possible but simply to respond. That would constitute a dragging not to a point of decision but to a conclusion. Nor would the dragging cease there but be constant throughout the entire process of life, with no possibility of failure. This is the concluding point of Calvinism – Sovereign Grace, “P” Perseverance of the saints.
*A. T. Robertson In his Word Pictures of the New Testament wrote on these words “all men;” Jesus does not mean every individual for some are repelled by Christ. Question does “all” mean “all” or not?(This is double talk to say that all does not mean all. It appears that Robinson was a Calvinist.)
The meaning of Draw has not been manufactured to refute Sovereign Grace in these verses, but by its Biblical and secular use it does so. To say any different is to redefine the word to a private meaning and ignore how the word is to stand. If the proof of “irresistible grace” or Sovereign Grace is to be offered it must come from verses other than these and the interpretations must stand in harmony, agreement, and consistent with them.
It would seem to be appropriate at this time to reflect how it is that God draws men to Himself. While we cannot fathom the thoughts or ways of our Creator, He hasn’t left us without any understanding of Him. Two attributes of God immediately come to the forefront; they are His love and His goodness. God alone stands as good, and God’s love stands alone in its purity and motive.
In considering how men are drawn to Him, these two attributes are the attractions to Him. We know of the work of the Holy Spirit in the world: convicting men of sin, of God’s righteousness and of judgment to come. So God bears a testimony of Himself and of His goodness and love. This same testimony is (or should be) witnessed to by His redeemed. Through these influences God woos men to Him. It must indeed assert, that this drawing can mean no more than the potent allurements, the collective force of love, the attracting of men by the Father to the Son; compare Jer. 31:3, “with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Did we find drag on either of these occasions (not that this would be possible), the assertors of a “irresistible grace’ might then urge the declarations of our Lord as leaving no room for any other meaning but theirs; but not as they now stand.
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