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NASB | 1 Timothy 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 4:10 It is for this that we labor and strive [often called to account], because we have fixed our [confident] hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe [in Him, recognize Him as the Son of God, and accept Him as Savior and Lord]. |
Bible Question: I recently visited a Universalist website that used I Timothy 4:10 to support their views. What are some conservative interpretations of this verse? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Badger, Here is a little commentary for this verse.. "4:10 the Savior of all men, in that He paid the ransom for all (2:6), though only believers are born again." (1) "4:10 ... Savior of all. Obviously this does not mean that God saves every person from eternal punishment, for such universalism would contradict the clear testimony of Scripture. God is, however, the Savior of all in that He offers salvation to all and saves all who come to him." (2) "4:10 ... the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Paul is obviously not teaching universalism, that all men will be saved in the spiritual and eternal sense, since the rest of Scripture clearly teaches that God will not save everyone. Most will reject Him and spend eternity in hell (Matt. 25:41,46; Rev. 20:11-15). Yet, the Greek word translated "especially" must mean that all men enjoy God's salvation in some way like those who believe enjoy His salvation. ... Paul's point is that while God graciously delivers believers from sin's condemnation and penalty because He was their substitute (2 Cor. 5:21), all men experience some earthly benefits from the goodness of God. Those benefits are: 1) common grace- a term that describes God's goodness shown to all mankind universally (Psalm 145:9) in restraining sin (Rom. 2:15) and judgment (Rom. 2:3-6), maintaining order in society through government (Rom. 13:1-5), enabling man to appreciate beauty and goodness (Psalm 50:2), and showering him with temporal blessings (Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:15-17; 17:25); 2) compassion- the broken-hearted love of pity God shows to undeserving, unregenerate sinners (Ex. 34:6,7; Ps. 86:5; Dan. 9:9; Matt. 23:37; Luke 19:41-44; cf. Is. 16:11-13; Jer. 48:35-37); 3) admonition to repent- God constantly warns sinners of their fate, demonstrating the heart of a compassionate Creator who has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:30-32; 33:11); 4) the gospel invitation- salvation in Christ is indiscriminately offered to all (Matt. 11:28,29; 22:2-14; John 6:35-40; Rev. 22:17; cf. John 5:39,40). God is, by nature, a saving God. That is, He finds no pleasure in the death of sinners. His saving character is revealed even in how He deals with those who will never believe, but only in those 4 temporal ways. ..." (3) Blessings to you, Makarios (1) Ryrie Study Bible Expanded Edition, 1995, The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D., (2) The Zondervan NASB Study Bible, 1999, The Zondervan Corporation, Kenneth Barker, General Editor (3) MacArthur Study Bible, 1997, Word Publishing, John MacArthur, Author and General Editor |
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Questions and/or Subjects for 1 Tim 4:10 | Author | ||
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Badger | ||
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Makarios | ||
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Terry Laudett |