Shall we look for a moment at a few verses?
Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many(4183) people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (NIV)
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many(4183) be called, but few chosen.(KJV)
Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many(4183).(NIV)
Matthew 22:14 For many(4183) are called, but few are chosen. .(KJV)
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many(4183) for the remission of sins. .(KJV)
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many(4183). .(KJV)
Mark 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many(4183). .(KJV)
On the flip side:
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many(4183), I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. .(KJV)
2John 1:7 For many(4183)deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Chris is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. .(KJV)
Strongs 4183: polus = many, much
You will notice that in these, and others as well, the Lord Jesus came for not all, but for many! If the Lord Jesus had come for all, would not He have said instead something like this? This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for all. But He didnt. Did He?
To quote from Jamieson, Fausset, Browns Bible Commentary Volume 3 Part 3 1st Corinthians ~ Revlation; Hendrikson Publishers, Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts01961, second printing January 2002. ISBN# 1-56563-197-8 p. 559
Heb 9:28 -
many not opposed to all, but to few. He, the One, was offered for many; and that once for all (cf. Mat 20:28).
And, to quote from Barnes on the Bible, of which I do have in Printed form as well as electronic, but I only have the electronic form with me today, so the reference is: Barnes Notes commentary on the entire bible in 14 volumes, baker publishing. Via e-sword on Heb 9:28:
Heb 9:28
To Bear the Sins for many: To suffer and die on account of their sins; see Isa 53:11; Gal 3:13.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many(7227); for he shall bear their iniquities.
7227 rab: much, many, great, abundant etc.
Again, the author who was inspired by the LORD Himself, writes the word many not the word all, thus not all will be justified, but many will.
Darby writes on Isaiah: (e-sword)
He shall bring many to righteousness, or instruct many in righteousness, and He shall bear their iniquities.
Still on Isaiah; from Gills commentary, (via e-sword):
a pronouncing and declaring men righteous, as opposed to condemnation: and they are many who are so justified; the many who were ordained to eternal life; the many whose sins Christ bore, and gave his life a ransom for; the many sons that are brought by him to glory.
Matthew Henry: (e-sword, I also have a printed copy at home as well.)
There are many whom Christ justifies, even as many as he gave his life a ransom for. By faith we are justified; thus God is most glorified, free grace most advanced, self most abased, and our happiness secured. We must know him, and believe in him, as one that bore our sins, and saved us from sinking under the load, by taking it upon himself.
Back to Hebrews; to quote from the Geneva Bibles margin notes, of which I only have in electronic form from e-sword.
Heb 9:28 - So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of (s) many; (16) and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
(s) Thus the general promise is restrained to the elect only: and we have to seek the testimony of our election, not in the secret counsel of God, but in the effects that our faith works, and so we must climb up from the lowest step to the highest, there to find such comfort as is most certain, and shall never be moved.
(16) Shortly by the way he sets Christ as Judge, partly to terrify those who are not trusting in the only sacrifice of Christ once made, and partly to keep the faithful in their duty, so that they will not go back.
Even John Wesley (That great Arminian) writes: (also from e-sword)
Heb 9:28 - Christ having once died to bear the sins - The punishment due to them. Of many
when he comes to judgment. Without sin - Not as he did before, bearing on himself the sins of many, but to bestow everlasting salvation.
Limited Atonement; sounds like it as many were called, but few were chosen.