And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. Acts 21:30

This verse begs for a word study. The word of interest is the word translated “dragged (helko in Greek). The people “dragged” him out of the temple. How many of you imagine the angry mob “inviting,” “encouraging,” much less “wooing” Paul to leave the temple? Me neither. The word “dragged” does not describe a passive action, but an active action. Why does this matter?

Because of Jesus’ words in John 6:44: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” The word translated “draws” is the same Greek word as “dragged” in Acts 21:30. And the significance? In John 6:44 Jesus makes two important points. First, the inability of any of us to come on our own to Him, unless second, the Father “draws” us.

Most people think that God draws people to faith by passively inviting, encouraging, or wooing us. But that is not what it says. (By the way, look at that same word in John 18:10, John 21:6 & 11.) In the same way active action is needed to “draw” a sword from its sheath, God must actively draw the people He intends to save. But note: God does not save anyone against our wills. Rather, He ever so graciously changes our wills when He regenerates us. He actively, not passively, draws us or else no one would ever come to Christ.