The Apostle Paul’s Use of the Plural Possessive Pronoun OUR
I Corinthians 15:3
Arminian Bible commentators teach that the plural possessive pronoun "our" is used in I Corinthians 15:3 in a universal, general, unlimited, unrestricted sense. They paraphrase the middle part of this verse in the following manner:
. . . Christ died for the sins of all human beings . . .
or . . . Christ died for sinners . . .
Here are some examples of Arminian Bible commentators who interpret the middle portion of this verse in this way:
“For men to be saved, they must receive by faith the Christ of the gospel message--the one who died for their sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and who rose again according to the scriptures (I Cor. 15:1-4)” (Robert Gromacki, _Salvation Is Forever_, p. 18).
“And what is the faith of the Gospel, the Gospel by which we are saved, that is, the essential doctrines that are involved in the saving Gospel? We are told what they are in I Corinthians 15:3,4 . . . Note that these essential doctrines are . . . that Christ died for sinners. That means that men are sinful, a fallen race, and that Christ died a substitutionary, atoning death . . . Also that Christ rose bodily from the dead and that proved His deity” (John R. Rice, _Dr. Rice, Here Are More Questions . . . _, p. 149).
“Have you heard the Gospel? The real Gospel, that is? Not a gospel of man’s imagination or of some religious institution, but the Gospel according to the Bible! Have you ever heard it? Has anyone ever explained it to you?
“The word gospel means “good news.” It is the good news message ‘that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures’ (I Corinthians 15:3,4) . . .
“ . . . Thank God for the good news! Christ died for our sins. You see, God hates your wickedness but He loves you! He cannot (and will not) overlook or excuse even one of your sins, yet He desires to save you from Hell and bring you into a personal relationship with Himself . . .
“ . . . As Jesus hung upon the cross almost 2,000 years ago, God the Father literally ‘made him to be sin for us’ (II Corinthians 5:21). Yes, Jesus took your place. He paid your debt--IN FULL!” ("The Gospel," Bible Baptist Church Publications, 1701 Harns Road, Oak Harbor, WA 98277).
The Apostle Paul uses the plural possessive pronoun "our" in 182 New Testament verses. Never, ever does he use this word in a universal, general, unlimited, unrestricted sense. Never, ever does he use this word to refer to all human beings in general, either actually or potentially. Always and without exception he uses this word in a particular, specific, limited, restricted sense. Always and without exception he uses this word to refer to some human beings in particular. He does the same thing in I Corinthians 15:3. Never, ever does the Apostle Paul say one thing and mean another. Never, ever does he practice such dishonesty and deceit.
SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE
ROM+1:3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
ROM+1:7
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
ROM+3:5
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
ROM+4:1
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
ROM+4:12
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
ROM+4:24
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
ROM+4:25
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
ROM+5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
ROM+5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
ROM+5:11
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
ROM+5:21
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
ROM+6:6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
ROM+6:11
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
ROM+6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
ROM+7:5
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
ROM+7:25
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
ROM+8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
ROM+8:23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
ROM+8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
ROM+8:39
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ROM+9:10
And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
ROM+10:16
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
ROM+12:7
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
ROM+13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
ROM+15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
ROM+15:6
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ROM+16:1
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
ROM+16:9
Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
ROM+16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
ROM+16:20
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
ROM+16:24
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
1COR+1:1
Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
1COR+1:2
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:
1COR+1:3
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1COR+1:7
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1COR+1:8
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1COR+1:9
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1COR+1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1COR+2:7
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1COR+4:12
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1COR+5:4
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1COR+5:7
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1COR+6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1COR+9:1
Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
1COR+9:10
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1COR+10:1
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1COR+10:6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
1COR+10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1COR+12:23
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
1COR+12:24
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
1COR+15:3
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1COR+15:14
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1COR+15:31
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1COR+15:57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1COR+16:12
As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
1COR+16:23
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
2COR+1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
2COR+1:2
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
2COR+1:3
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2COR+1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2COR+1:5
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2COR+1:7
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
2COR+1:8
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2COR+1:11
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
2COR+1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2COR+1:14
As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus.
2COR+1:18
But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
2COR+1:22
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2COR+3:2
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2COR+3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2COR+4:3
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2COR+4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2COR+4:10
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2COR+4:11
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2COR+4:16
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2COR+4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2COR+5:1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2COR+5:2
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2COR+5:12
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
2COR+6:11
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
2COR+7:3
I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
2COR+7:4
Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
2COR+7:5
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
2COR+7:12
Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
2COR+7:14
For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
2COR+8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2COR+8:22
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
2COR+8:23
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
2COR+8:24
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2COR+9:3
Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
2COR+10:4
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2COR+10:8
For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
2COR+10:13
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
2COR+10:14
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
2COR+10:15
Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
2COR+10:16
To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
2COR+11:31
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
GAL+1:3
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
GAL+1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
GAL+2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
GAL+3:24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
GAL+6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
GAL+6:18
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
EPH+1:2
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
EPH+1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
EPH+1:14
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
EPH+1:17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
EPH+2:3
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
EPH+2:14
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
EPH+3:11
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
EPH+3:14
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
EPH+5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
EPH+6:22
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
EPH+6:24
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
PHIL+1:2
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
PHIL+3:20
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
PHIL+3:21
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
PHIL+4:20
Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
PHIL+4:23
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
COL+1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
COL+1:2
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
COL+1:3
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
COL+1:7
As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
COL+3:4
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
1THES+1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1THES+1:2
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
1THES+1:3
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
1THES+1:5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1THES+2:1
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
1THES+2:2
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
1THES+2:3
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
1THES+2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
1THES+2:8
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
1THES+2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1THES+2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1THES+2:20
For ye are our glory and joy.
1THES+3:2
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
1THES+3:5
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
1THES+3:7
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
1THES+3:9
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
1THES+3:11
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
1THES+3:13
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1THES+5:9
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1THES+5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1THES+5:28
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
2THES+1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2THES+1:2
Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2THES+1:8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2THES+1:10
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2THES+1:11
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2THES+1:12
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2THES+2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2THES+2:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2THES+2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2THES+2:16
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
2THES+3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2THES+3:12
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2THES+3:14
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2THES+3:18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
1TIM+1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
1TIM+1:2
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1TIM+1:12
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1TIM+1:14
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1TIM+2:3
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1TIM+6:3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1TIM+6:14
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2TIM+1:2
To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2TIM+1:8
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2TIM+1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2TIM+1:10
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
2TIM+4:15
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
TIT+1:3
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
TIT+1:4
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
TIT+2:10
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
TIT+2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
TIT+3:4
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
TIT+3:6
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
TIT+3:14
And let our’s also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
PHILEM+1:1
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
PHILEM+1:2
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
PHILEM+1:3
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
PHILEM+1:25
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
In the Pauline epistles, the plural possessive pronoun "our" is never used in a universal, general, unlimited, unrestricted sense. Instead, it is always used in a specific, limited, restricted sense. Consequently, when Paul penned the words "Christ died for our sins" in I Corinthians 15:3, he did not use the word "our" to refer to every member of the human race. Rather, he used the word "our" to refer to God’s elect children.
