He Desires All Men To Be Saved?

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time." 1 Timothy 2:1-6

What does verse 4 mean? Does it mean that God desires each and every single person to be saved, as some men tell us? No, it does not.

In Isaiah 46:10, God says, "My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure." In Isaiah 55:11, God says, "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." There are several other passages of Scripture that inform us that whatever God has purposed, He will accomplish His will. Therefore, 2 Peter 3:9 cannot be teaching what some men try to tell us: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." The correct interpretation of 2 Peter 3:9 can be found here.

Scripture informs us that God will accomplish His will perfectly. Whatever He wills, it will come to pass. Therefore, if 1 Timothy 2:4 means what some men try to tell us, then that means Universalism is true. If God desires all men to be saved, and His purpose and will is always accomplished, then all men will be saved. That is Universalism. Try following your beliefs to their ultimate conclusion and you will see the problem with believing things according to your feelings and/or opinions.

Given the number of other passages that contradict the imposed interpretation upon 1 Timothy 2:4, such as John 6:37, 44, and 65, to name a few, what could 1 Timothy 2:4 actually be saying? Well, if you pay attention to the rest of Scripture, the answer is obvious. Scripture repeatedly makes it known that salvation is not limited to a particular group of people. It is available to people from all walks of life. Therefore, the "all men" in 1 Timothy 2:4 means "Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, slave and free, male and female," etc.

The word "all" is the Greek word pas (πας) and means:

1. individually
1. each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything
2. collectively
1. some of all types

In other words, "God desires some men of all types to be saved." To argue that the word "all" must mean "each and every" is a sign of ignorance (willful or otherwise). Rarely in Scripture is it used in such a manner. We do not even use it in such a manner. The second definition is the one most used in Scripture and by us when we speak.

When you say things like, "Look at all the geese," are you saying that every goose in the world is in your view? No, you are not. Are you saying, "Look at each and every one of them"? No, you are not. You are saying, "Look at them collectively; look at the ones gathered here." When a concert says, "It's good to see all of Toronto out tonight," is each and every individual in Toronto at that concert? No, they are not. The way we use the word all is rarely in the case of "each and every single one," so why would you attempt to impose such upon Scripture in contradiction to the majority of verses that say otherwise?

"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." 1 Timothy 4:10

Verse 10 falls under the same issue as the previous verse above. Quite obviously He cannot be the Saviour of men presently residing in Hell, or of others who will inhabit Hell. He cannot be the Saviour of men not saved. You cannot even attempt to argue that it means that He provides salvation for all men, because Matthew 1:21 says He came to save "His people from their sins." Elsewhere Scripture states that He gave Himself for "the sheep" and "the church." Clearly not "each and every single person." To say He is the Saviour of "all men," when Jesus says that "few" will be on the narrow road, is a contradiction of colossal proportions. Not to mention that this verse is not speaking of salvation, but rather of the goodness of God; that God is the preserver of all men, but especially the believer. To argue He is the Saviour of all men, especially believers, is ridiculous nonsense. He cannot be the Saviour of men residing in Hell for eternity! That is illogical!

Here are some truths you need to wrestle with and then submit yourself to. (1) Everyone is not a child of God. Everyone is made in the image of God, but only those adopted through faith in Christ are children of God. (2) God does not love everybody, or even love everyone equally. (3) God does not want to save each and every single person who has ever lived. Think about that. If Judas was foreordained, or predestined, to betray Jesus, he could do nothing else. Therefore, where was his "free will"?

Get yourself a Reader's Bible and put your Reference Bible on the shelf where it belongs. Read the Bible the way it was meant to be read, in context, and start believing what the Bible says. Stop using a Reference Bible to rip random, isolated, individual verses of Scripture out of their immediate contexts and given a forced interpretation. Chapters and verses has helped men destroy the church and God's Word. A Reader's Bible helps you to read the Bible as it was originally intended to be read, and helps you to see the natural structures the authors implemented in their writings. Knowing where each book fits in history and what they were writing against helps you to not commit eisegesis by reading things into Scripture that do not belong there.

May God bless you as you endeavor to read His Word without bias and to submit and conform yourself to what He reveals through His Spirit.