Okay, I'll bite one more time. I read it, in several translations and I will honestly admit I'm just not following you here. Maybe I'm just getting tangled up in terminology. Help me out if you will by just what you mean when you say:
That, in turn, means that regeneration has to precede repentant faith.
Yeah, I was miffed, but you were arrogant and insulting. I understand that you believe that's because you're secure in your beliefs and your need to proclaim the gospel.
But quite frankly, when you say: Okay. In that case, I'll point out to lurkers that you aren't interested in the Scriptures, that you get miffed far too easily. my first response is that you forgot to say "Nanny, Nanny, Boo, Boo."
So, even though you probably think that I'm an idiot (and I assure you, I could find a long list of people who would agree with you), I am interested in what you have to say, as long as you can do it without hurling insults. I assure you that I will (from this point on) give you the same consideration.
Look at what Paul goes on to say. He says precisely what the Calvinists are saying on this thread. He says that if you are a natural man, you cannot receive the things of God.
He is telling us that an unregenerate sinner cannot believe the gospel.
Think about that. It really does establish Calvinism. Regeneration has to precede repentant faith. The unregenerate sinner cannot embrace Christ in the gospel.