Woo Who?

Great question,

Someone asked me about who is wooed by the Spirit according to the Bible - some people or everyone?

Here is my response:

I have read many versions of the Bible and don't remember the word woo/wooed in particular, nor could I find it in a search (searches are not always completely reliable). I assume, wooed, might be what some people say is happening when the Bible uses the word "draw" as in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day." and also in John 12:32, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." The Greek word translated draw in this passage is ἑλκύω (hel-koo'-o) and it appears only a few time in scripture. The other uses are translated: Paul was dragged out of the temple in Acts 21:30, the Apostles were dragged into the marketplace in Acts 16:19, Peter drew out his sword in John 18:10, the disciples drew in the nets full of fish in John 21:6/21:11, the rich were dragging poor into courts in James 2:6, I also know it can be used for drawing water from a well. All of these examples have in common, the fact that when one party is drawing, it results in a one to one ratio of response by the thing(s) being drawn. We don’t woo fish into nets, water into buckets or people into court. Rather, we drag what we have secured, to where we want it.

In the John 6:44 context Jesus says "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day." This shows an inabiliy of anyone to come unless drawn by the Father and a one to one ratio between those the father does draw and those who will definitely be raised up on the last day. That would fit calling as described in Rom. 8:28-30 and elsewhere, a calling that results in the definite salvation for all who are called (drawn/dragged). Some have argued that “raise him up” in John 6:44, simply means that all will be raised up in a final judgment, but not all saved. That does not seem to be Jesus' point at all as He is describing the difference between true and false followers throughout the entire chapter. If draw means anything from drawing water, to drawing a net, to dragging away - then the verse makes sense in that all who are truly called/drawn will come and they will surely be raised to eternal life with Jesus. This still sounds like something done against our will, but the scriptures teach a changing of the will when we are "born again"/regenerated by the Spirit, resulting in us freely wanting/choosing Jesus. If I lived in Detroit  and woke up in Hawaii, I would not want to go back no matter how I got there (no offense Detroit lovers)! I would be glad to learn about and enjoy life in a much better place, be thankful for the change and be grateful to the one who brought me there.

The John 12:32 verse at first glimpse seems more problematic, but again context is the key. Jesus has just made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem 12:12-15, the Pharisees are at their wits end 12:19 as they point out that the "world" has gone after Him. Obviously they don't mean every single person, but simply large amounts of people from all walks of life are following Jesus and their efforts to stop Him have failed! Now as the Pharisees are rejecting Jesus, some Greeks show up looking for Him v. 20-23. In Jesus' teaching to this collective group of Jews and Gentiles, He uses the example of wheat falling to the ground, being raised and then bearing much fruit to describe His coming crucifixion, resurrection and the resulting fruit of salvation for believers. As a result of His dying and being lifted up, He will "draw all people to himself". The question remains is the "all people" every single person on earth or all kinds of people Jew/Gentile who will be saved? With the unusual visit of these Greeks and the specific mention of their presence, it seems very likely that He means all kinds of people - Jew/Gentile will be drawn, rather than all people period. Also, considering what we have learned about “draw” from its use in scripture as a whole, the only other way to explain this verse would be that all people are drawn/dragged and actually saved. It would be very unbiblical to think Jesus means all will be saved because He is lifted up. It is also problematic to hold that all people, even those who never hear the gospel, are being drawn to Jesus or drawn equally to those who do hear.

John 10:11-16 quotes Jesus' words regarding the sheep for which He lays down His life. He makes the point that He has sheep inside and outside of the Israelite sheepfold – the Gentiles in view. He says He will have one united flock redeemed by His work, who He describes as those who "hear My voice". This, like the Greeks present in John 12, would be shocking for both Jew and Gentile as they have treated each other with much contempt when it comes to religious differences. In 10:25-30 Jesus is teaching how to identify the true sheep of whichever sheepfold they belong - all His sheep hear/believe/follow and will be given eternal life, while those who don't believe don't do so because they are not His sheep. Jesus does not teach that all are draw to Him in a potentially saving way, but rather those who are given/called/drawn by the Father are drawn in a definite saving way. This is the only way for any to be saved. He is lifted up and will draw all those people who will be saved from every tribe, tongue and nation - Jew/Gentile. The general call is to all who hear the word, but the ears to hear and heart to believe unto salvation must be given first by the Holy Spirit.

One more point on this, the other New Testament letters portray Jesus/cross as an offense, foolishness, something the carnal nature won't believe and something which can't be understood without rebirth. It would hardly seem like this describes a reality where all men are being drawn even if it was only "wooed", which as we have seen is not really a biblical understanding of the term “draw” anyway.


The reason for one person hearing the word preached and being given a supernatural new birth and another remaining unmoved is a mystery hidden in the plan and purposes of God. One thing we know for sure about His purpose - He will have all glory, in all things, especially in the salvation of sinners!

Evaluating a Ministry

Paul is certainly a great role model for evangelism and church planting. Paul spread the gospel far and wide and it would be reasonable to say that churches he planted, planted the churches which planted the churches where we now worship! But, how would Paul evaluate his own ministry?

Acts 20: ¹⁷ From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; ²⁰ how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, ²¹ testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ²² And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. ²⁴ But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵ “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. ²⁸ Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God^[c] which He purchased with His own blood. ²⁹ For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. ³¹ Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (NKJV) (Underlining mine)

Paul’s devotion to the gospel is unmistakable, but his self-evaluation is not based on the number of converts he’s won. Paul sees his success in his having preached the whole counsel of God. Paul claims he is innocent of the blood of all men, not because he was a motivating speaker, but because he has not held back anything helpful or ceased to warn the church about the dangers of false doctrine. Paul recognizes the church was purchased by the blood of Christ, not the smooth talking or cunning of preachers. Since it is the gospel that saves, Paul is called to testify accurately and thoroughly to the gospel of the grace of God and leave the outcome to God.

If we preach around certain doctrines or take the edge off less popular biblical truths so we don’t offend or run people off, will we have done what God asks of us? Will trying to get numbers by withholding truth actually accomplish what we want?  Maybe, if what we want is more bodies in a building. If what we want is to please God, proclaim the whole counsel of God and protect the church from false doctrine, then we need to accurately and thoroughly teach/preach the word and trust God to call His church. When Paul says to future leaders/teachers “therefore watch” he doesn’t mean watch the attendance, but watch the teaching for thoroughness and soundness. It is a matter of faith to trust God’s word and Spirit to do the work, but it is the way to be innocent of the blood of all men and know like Paul, that we have finished the race with joy and fulfilled our ministry!

God is Sovereign!

God is absolutely sovereign or absolutely not God!

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old,
      For I am God, and there is no other;
      I am God, and there is none like Me,
       10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
      And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
      Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
      And I will do all My pleasure,’
       11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
      The man who executes My counsel, from a far country.
      Indeed I have spoken it;
      I will also bring it to pass.
      I have purposed it;
      I will also do it. (NKJV)