Speratus, you truly need to be more careful in whose commentaries you read and cite. Both of these are horrible in both their Greek and theology. We will look at only a few of Kushe’s errors since Pilgrim has already destroyed your point in Becker. However, I do hope you will take the time and reply to Pilgrim’s post.
With this word Paul clearly teaches that God's act of reconciliation covers the whole world. It applies to the whole world, to every person, whether he lived before Christ, or at the time of Christ, or any time since Christ, or in any of the time still remaining before Christ comes again. Thus everyone is included in this word regardless of whether he ever comes to faith or not.
Speratus, if the “whole world” is reconciled NOW then there is no need for the word of reconciliation. However, you have ALL unbelievers, without exception, reconciled and thus none can ever be lost--which is universalism!
In addition, you fail to realize the truth of the “now, but not yet” theology of the Kingdom of God and the similarities/differences in the inauguration, continuation, and consummation of the KOG. The KOG is here and yet not in its fulness. However, this is covenant theology which I am sure you have not had time to study and digest.
This same truth is taught in the similar context of Colossians 1. There in verses 16 and 20 we read: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible … and through him (God was pleased) to reconcile to himself all things (ta_ pa/nta), whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
So now you have the Devil and his whole demonic host reconciled to God and yet we still have temptation, sin, and problems on the earth. Do you see just a small problem here? The devils believe and tremble.
Since by this perfect life and death Christ "blotted out the handwriting of ordinances which was against us" (Col 2:14), God no longer imputed anyone's sins to him; they were imputed to Christ.
If God no longer holds anyone’s sins against them then ALL, without exception, are saved. If ALL are reconciled and are at peace with God, then even the sin of unbelief would be covered and thus none could disbelieve—not even Satan himself could be lost, since according to you he is now reconciled. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/drop.gif" alt="" />
