Calvinism’s Proof Texts

Calvinism’s Proof Texts

The passages collected below are Scriptures regularly appealed to in support of Calvinist theology. They are organized according to the doctrines or theological claims for which they are commonly used. Some passages appear under more than one heading because Calvinists may appeal to the same passage in support of more than one doctrine.

The purpose of this collection is not to provide the complete examination of each passage on this page. Instead, each Scripture reference serves as a doorway to the Bible commentary or article where that passage is examined in its biblical context. The question throughout is not whether Calvinism can cite a verse in support of a doctrine, but whether the verse, examined within its immediate context and the whole counsel of Scripture, actually establishes the theological conclusion being drawn from it.

Total Depravity and Total Inability

• John 1:9–13
• John 3:3–8, 16–21
• John 5:26–27, 40
• John 6:22–45
• John 6:65
• Romans 3:9–20
• 1 Corinthians 2:14
• Ephesians 2:1–3, 8–9

Unconditional Election and God’s Choosing

• John 6:37–40
• John 6:44–45
• John 6:65
• John 17:2, 6, 8–9, 22, 24
• Acts 13:48
• Romans 8:28–30
• Romans 9
• Ephesians 1:3–14
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14
• 1 Peter 1:1–2

Foreknowledge

• Romans 8:29–30
• Romans 11:2
• 1 Peter 1:2
• 1 Peter 1:20

Predestination

• Acts 4:27–28
• Romans 8:29–30
• 1 Corinthians 2:7
• Ephesians 1:5
• Ephesians 1:11

Effectual Calling and Irresistible Grace

• John 6:37
• John 6:44–45
• John 6:65
• Acts 13:48
• Romans 1:6–7
• Romans 8:30
• 2 Thessalonians 2:14

God’s Sovereignty, Divine Decree, and Determination

• Acts 4:27–28
• Romans 8:28
• Romans 9:6–24
• Ephesians 1:11

Hardening

• John 12:39–40
• Romans 9:17–18

Human Response and Resistance to God

• John 3:16–21
• John 5:40
• John 7:37
• John 12:32
• John 20:30–31
• Acts 7:51
• Acts 13:42–52
• Acts 16:6–10
• Acts 17:30
• Romans 10

Israel, Election, and the Remnant

• Genesis 25:23
• Exodus 33:19
• Jeremiah 18:1–10
• Malachi 1:2–3
• Romans 9
• Romans 10
• Romans 11

The Book of Life, Election, and Preservation

• Exodus 32:32–33
• Psalm 69:28
• Philippians 4:3
• Revelation 3:5
• Revelation 13:8
• Revelation 17:8
• Revelation 20:12, 15
• Revelation 21:27
• Revelation 22:19