How does John 9:31 align with the concept of God's omniscience? John 9:31 in Relation to God’s Omniscience Text “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He listens to the one who worships Him and does His will.” — John 9:31 Immediate Context John 9 recounts Jesus’ healing of a man blind from birth. Verse 31 is spoken by the healed man while defending Jesus before the Pharisees. The statement summarizes a widely held Jewish conviction grounded in the Tanakh: wilful rebellion hinders prayer, whereas reverent obedience invites divine favor. Speaker, Not Narrator The verse is descriptive, not prescriptive; it records the testimony of an untrained yet perceptive witness, not a direct pronouncement from Jesus. Still, the evangelist lets the assertion stand uncorrected, signaling its theological reliability within the Gospel’s framework. Omniscience Defined God’s omniscience means He “knows all things” (1 John 3:20), including every thought, motive, and spoken word (Psalm 139:1–4). Nothing escapes His consciousness (Hebrews 4:13). Apparent Tension If God knows everything, how can it be said He “does not listen” to sinners? The answer lies in the biblical distinction between cognitive awareness and covenantal heed. Omniscience describes what God inevitably possesses; “listening” in John 9:31 describes what God freely chooses to grant. Old Testament Foundations • Proverbs 15:29 — “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.” • Psalm 66:18 — “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” • Isaiah 59:1–2 — Sin erects a relational barrier; God still knows, but He withholds redemptive action until repentance. These passages shape the blind man’s worldview, showing continuity between Testaments. New Testament Parallels • 1 Peter 3:12 reiterates Psalm 34: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous… but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” • 1 John 5:14–15 affirms confidence that God hears prayers offered “according to His will.” • Luke 18:13–14 shows the repentant tax collector heard because he sought mercy, demonstrating that “sinner” in John 9:31 refers to unrepentant, defiant sin, not mere moral imperfection. Repentance: The Notable Exception Throughout Scripture, God eagerly receives contrite sinners (Isaiah 57:15; Joel 2:12–13). The Ninevites’ cry (Jonah 3:5–10) and the prodigal’s plea (Luke 15:18–24) illustrate that the moment rebellion yields to repentance, divine “listening” resumes. Thus omniscience is constant; relational engagement is conditional. Philosophical Coherence Divine attributes do not conflict. Omniscience concerns God’s knowledge; benevolence and justice govern His responses. Just as an earthly judge hears all testimonies yet responds differently to perjury and truth, so God discriminates morally while remaining perfectly knowledgeable. Systematic Synthesis 1. God knows every prayer uttered (omniscience). 2. God withholds favorable response to unrepentant defiance (holiness, justice). 3. God actively engages prayers aligned with worship and obedience (love, covenant faithfulness). 4. Repentance transfers the petitioner from category 2 to category 3 without diminishing category 1. Practical Implications Believers are encouraged toward holy living, knowing obedience enhances fellowship (John 15:7). Unbelievers are urged to repent, assured that God immediately “listens” to the cry for salvation (Romans 10:13). Prayer, therefore, is not a mechanical right but a relational privilege. Conclusion John 9:31 and God’s omniscience harmonize flawlessly once “listen” is understood relationally rather than informationally. The verse does not limit God’s knowledge; it delineates the moral conditions under which His infinite knowledge issues in gracious intervention. |
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