unconditional security?
Proponents of unconditional security also make an issue of the "no
one can snatch" phrases in John 10:28-29. Here again it is very
helpful to look at the original language. The word translated as
"snatch" or "pluck" comes from the Greek harpazo. The same
term is also translated "caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which
relates the rapture of the church. It is in fact the source for the
word "rapture" (Greek-harpazo- Latin Rapere = English
rapture). This sheds light on harpazo as used in John
10:28-29 which means "to be carried off by force," to be snatched up
or caught up independent of one's own ability. As it appears in 1
Thes. 4:17 it explains that we will be snatched into the air by
Jesus, not by our own power. Harpazo has the same meaning in
John 10 indicating that we cannot be taken away independent of our
ability or power. In other words, no one can snatch us out of the
Father's hand against our will. We are indeed safe because we
"through faith are shielded by God's power" (I Peter 1:5 NIV). Thus we are not told that it is
impossible to voluntarily leave God's protection. Rather, we
are assured that no one can take us by force from God's hand as we
sit helplessly. So again John 10L 28-29 articulates the believer's
conditional assurance.
The Believer’s Conditional Security by Daniel Corner Evangelical Outreach; PO Box 256, Washington, PA 15301-0265 Third Edition: 2000; pg ii-iii
Thoughts?
In honesty, I have never been an OSAS person.