Chapter 3

Of God's Decree

1. God hath decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of
His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things whatsoever come to pass;

de·cree Pronunciation: \di-‘krē\

Function: noun
1 : an order usually having the force of law
2 a : a religious ordinance enacted by council or titular head b : a foreordaining will
3 a : a judicial decision of the Roman emperor b : a judicial decision especially in an
equity or probate court

God knows the ending from the beginning:

Isaiah Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am
46:9 God, and there is none like me,
Isaiah Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that
46:10 are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Isaiah Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from
46:11 a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed
it, I will also do it.

Ephesians In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
1:7 according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
1:8
Ephesians Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
1:9 pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Ephesians That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in
1:10 one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;
even in him:
Ephesians In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
1:11 according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of
his own will:
Ephesians That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
1:12

predestinated: 4309
προορίζω Proorizo (pro-or-id'-zo);
Word Origin: Greek,  Verb, Strong #: 4309

1. to predetermine, decide beforehand

2. in the NT of God decreeing from eternity
 3. to foreordain, appoint beforehand

KJV Word Usage and Count

predestinate 4
determine before 1
ordain 1

Hebrews Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the
6:17 immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Hebrews That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we
6:18 might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon
the hope set before us:
Hebrews Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and
6:19 which entereth into that within the veil;
Hebrews Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for
6:20 ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Romans For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I
9:15 will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Romans So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that
9:16 showeth mercy.
Romans For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised
9:17 thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be
declared throughout all the earth.
Romans Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he
9:18 hardeneth.

yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin, nor hath fellowship with any therein,

James Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be
1:13 tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
James But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
1:14 enticed.

I John This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you,
1:5 that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

I John This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is
1:5 light, and in him is no darkness at all.
I John If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not
1:6 the truth:
I John But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,
1:7 and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty, or contingency of
second causes taken away, but rather established,

Acts For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod,
4:27 and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered
together,
Acts For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
4:28

John Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were
19:11 given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater
sin.

John When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
19:8
John And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But
19:9 Jesus gave him no answer.
John Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have
19:10 power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
John Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given
19:11 thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in
accomplishing His decree.

Numbers And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go
23:16 again unto Balak, and say thus.
Numbers And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the
23:17 princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD
spoken?
Numbers And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken
23:18 unto me, thou son of Zippor:
Numbers God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he
23:19 should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and
shall he not make it good?
Numbers Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I
23:20 cannot reverse it.

Ephesians Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed
1:3 us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
1:4 that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
1:5 himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in
1:6 the beloved.

2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may, or can come to pass, upon all supposed
conditions;

Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

yet hath He not decreed anything, because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would
come to pass upon such conditions.

Romans I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy
9:1 Ghost,
Romans That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
9:2
Romans For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen
9:3 according to the flesh:
Romans Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the
9:4 covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Romans Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over
9:5 all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Romans Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel,
9:6 which are of Israel:
Romans Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac
9:7 shall thy seed be called.
Romans That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God:
9:8 but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Romans For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
9:9
Romans And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father
9:10 Isaac;
Romans (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the
9:11 purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that
calleth;)
Romans It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
9:12
Romans As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
9:13
Romans What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
9:14
Romans For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have
9:15 compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Romans So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth
9:16 mercy.
Romans For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee
9:17 up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared
throughout all the earth.
Romans Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he
9:18 hardeneth.

3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are
predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life, through Jesus Christ,

I Timothy I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou
5:21 observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by
partiality.

Matthew When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then
25:31 shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Matthew And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from
25:32 another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Matthew And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
25:33
Matthew Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my
25:34 Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I
25:35 was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Matthew Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye
25:36 came unto me.
Matthew Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered,
25:37 and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Matthew When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
25:38
Matthew Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
25:39
Matthew And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as
25:40 ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into
25:41 everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no
25:42 drink:
Matthew I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in
25:43 prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or
25:44 athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Matthew Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not
25:45 to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Matthew And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life
25:46 eternal.

to the praise of His glorious grace;

Ephesians Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with
1:3 all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we
1:4 should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
1:5 according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the
1:6 beloved.

others being justify to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His
glorious justice.

John What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
6:62
John It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto
6:63 you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they
6:64 were that believed not, and who should betray him.
John And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were
6:65 given unto him of my Father.
John From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
6:66
John Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
6:67
John Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of
6:68 eternal life.
John And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
6:69
John Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
6:70
John He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being
6:71 one of the twelve.

Romans Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his
9:19 will?
Romans Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say
9:20 to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Romans Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto
9:21 honour, and another unto dishonour?
Romans What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with
9:22 much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Romans And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy,
9:23 which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Romans Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
9:24
Romans As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and
9:25 her beloved, which was not beloved.
Romans And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not
9:26 my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Jude For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
1:4 condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and
denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord,
1:5 having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed
not.
Jude And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath
1:6 reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and
unchangeably designed; and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either
increased or diminished.

II Timothy Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord
2:19 knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity.

John I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be
13:18 fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

5. Those of mankind that are predestined to life, God, before the foundation of the world
was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and
good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere
free grace and love;

Ephesians Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with
1:3 all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
1:4 we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
1:5 according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the
1:6 beloved.
Ephesians In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according
1:7 to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
1:8
Ephesians Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
1:9 pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Ephesians That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all
1:10 things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Ephesians In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to
1:11 the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Ephesians That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
1:12

Romans Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them
8:30 he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

II Timothy Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:
1:8 but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
II Timothy Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
1:9 but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began,
II Timothy But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath
1:10 abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
II Timothy Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
1:11

I Thessalonians For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord
5:9 Jesus Christ,
I Thessalonians Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together
5:10 with him.

without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto.

Romans As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

9:13
Romans What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
9:14
Romans For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have
9:15 compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Romans So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth
9:16 mercy.

Ephesians But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
2:4
Ephesians Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace
2:5 ye are saved;)
Ephesians And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in
2:6 Christ Jesus:
Ephesians That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his
2:7 kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are
2:11 called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made
by hands;
Ephesians That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
2:12 Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without
God in the world:
Ephesians But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood
2:13 of Christ.

6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath by the eternal and most free
purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto,

I Peter Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,
1:1 Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
I Peter Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the
1:2 Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and
peace, be multiplied.

II Thessalonians But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the
2:13 Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
II Thessalonians Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our
2:14 Lord Jesus Christ.

wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,

I Thessalonians For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord
5:9 Jesus Christ,
I Thessalonians Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together
5:10 with him.

are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in due season, are
justified, adopted, sanctified,

Romans Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them
8:30 he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

II Thessalonians But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the
2:13 Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
II Thessalonians Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our
2:14 Lord Jesus Christ.

and kept by His power through faith unto salvation;

I Peter Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his
1:3 abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus
 Christ from the dead,
I Peter To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in
1:4 heaven for you,
I Peter Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in
1:5 the last time.

neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted,
sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.

John But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
10:26

John I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they
17:9 are thine.

John But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they
6:64 were that believed not, and who should betray him.

7. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination, is to be handled with special

prudence and care; that men attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding
obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of
their eternal election;

I Thessalonians We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our
1:2 prayers;
I Thessalonians Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and
1:3 patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
I Thessalonians Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
1:4
I Thessalonians For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the
1:5 Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were
among you for your sake.

II Peter Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:
1:10 for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
II Peter For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting
1:11 kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise,

Ephesians Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with
1:3 all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we
1:4 should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
1:5 according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the
1:6 beloved.

Romans O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how
11:33 unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility,

Romans Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election
11:5 of grace.
Romans And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.
11:6 But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Romans Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not
11:20 highminded, but fear:
Romans For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
11:21

diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.

Luke Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the
10:19 power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather
10:20 rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.