Whosoever Will?

Who Is the "Whosoever" in John 3:16?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (KJV)

John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses in Scripture, proclaiming God’s love for the world and the gift of His Son for salvation. But who is the “whosoever” that believes? Some interpret this verse as teaching universal atonement, suggesting that salvation is available to all based on human free will. However, a closer look at Scripture reveals a different perspective.

The term “whosoever” in John 3:16 (KJV) is better translated as “whoever believes” (NKJV, ESV, NASB) or “the believing ones.” The verse does not say “whosoever will,” implying that salvation depends solely on human choice. Instead, it emphasizes that those who believe in Christ—regardless of nationality or background—will be saved. This includes people from every nation and tongue (Revelation 5:9), as Christ redeemed a particular people for Himself (Titus 2:14, Hebrews 10:14). Both Calvinists and Arminians agree that all who believe in Christ will be saved. As Calvinists, we affirm the free offer of the Gospel and are commanded to share it with all sinners (Matthew 28:19). Any sinner who repents and turns to Christ will be saved!

How Do Sinners Come to Believe?

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:44 (KJV)

The key question is: How do sinners come to believe? Does belief stem from human free will (Arminian view) or God’s sovereign election (Calvinist view)? Scripture teaches that salvation is not based on human will (John 1:13, Romans 9:16) but on God’s divine choice (Romans 8:29, 9:15; Ephesians 1:4-5, 11). Humanity’s natural state is one of spiritual inability: we cannot seek God (Romans 3:10-18), cannot come to Christ without divine enablement (John 6:44, 65), and are dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). Our only hope lies in God’s transformative work—changing our hearts (Ezekiel 36:26) and granting faith as a gift by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-10).

We come to Christ freely, not coerced, but it is God who enables us to do so. Just as God opened Lydia’s heart to believe (Acts 16:14), He must do the same for all believers. John 6:37 assures us that all whom the Father gives to Christ will come to Him, and they will be raised up on the last day (John 6:39-40).

God’s Sovereign Choice

“So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” – Romans 9:18 (ESV)

Scripture teaches that only Christ’s “sheep” hear His voice and follow Him, while those who are not His sheep lack the ability to believe (John 10:26-27). In Romans 9:19-23, Paul addresses objections to God’s sovereignty, explaining that God creates some for “honorable use” and others for “dishonorable use” (v. 21). Some are “prepared for destruction” (v. 22), while others are “prepared beforehand for glory” (v. 23). This aligns with God’s choice to love Jacob and hate Esau before they were born or had done anything good or evil (Romans 9:11-13), ensuring that His purpose in election depends on His call, not human works. Similarly, 1 Peter 2:8 speaks of those destined to reject Christ, while Acts 13:48 and Jude 1:4 refer to those ordained to eternal life or condemnation.

God’s Sovereignty Over All Things

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” – Isaiah 46:9-10 (KJV)

The debate over God’s sovereignty often sparks disagreement. Most Christians—Arminian and Calvinist—agree that God is sovereign and knows all events, past, present, and future. Many also agree that God ordains every event that comes to pass (Isaiah 46:9-11). However, when asked whether God ordains the salvation of the elect and the damnation of the reprobate, Arminians often disagree, while Calvinists affirm this based on passages like Romans 9:22-23. These verses explain that God prepares some as “vessels of wrath” to show His power and others as “vessels of mercy” to display His glory.

Even those who believe in autonomous free will face a challenge: if God knows who will choose Him and who will not before creating the universe, why does He create those He knows will reject Him? In the Calvinist view, the reprobate serve a purpose in God’s plan. He actively works faith in the elect but passes over the reprobate, leaving them in their natural state of sin (Ephesians 2:3). The elect receive mercy; the reprobate receive justice. No one receives injustice.

Understanding 2 Peter 3:9 in Context

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

Arminians often cite 2 Peter 3:9 to argue that God desires all people to be saved. However, context is key. Peter addresses this letter to the “beloved” (2 Peter 3:1, 8, 14) or “those who have obtained faith” (2 Peter 1:1)—that is, believers. The “any” and “all” in verse 9 refer to the elect, those for whom God is “longsuffering.” God is patiently waiting until all His chosen people come to faith before Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:8-13).

Conclusion: The Gospel Is for All

As Calvinists, we believe the Gospel is freely offered to all. We don’t know who the elect are, so we proclaim the Gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19). God has ordained that faith comes through the preaching of the Gospel (Romans 10:14-17). Alongside our Arminian brothers and sisters, we joyfully declare that whoever believes in Christ will be saved (John 3:16)!

To the glory of God.