1 Timothy 2:3,4 – God wants all mankind to be saved

For this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour God, Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into the realization of the truth.

Here Paul mentions the reason for his call to pray and give thanks for all people. Including for kings and all superiors. Such prayer and thanksgiving is “ideal and welcome” to God since He wants all mankind to be saved. No one excepted. This also includes high-ranking people who oppose, oppress or persecute us. It is GOD’s will that motivates us to remember all people with gratitude to Him.

Paul here calls God “our Savior.” A few verses earlier (1:15) he wrote that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of which he is the first. Well, if GOD wants all people to be saved, who or what could stop Him?! Man’s unwillingness? Impossible! Paul just testified as the greatest enemy ever, to have been overwhelmed by grace (1:14). GOD’S grace is not only all-encompassing, but also irresistible! GOD wants to save all people, He can save all people and therefore He will also, in His time, save all people. That is the truth that Paul was able to make known to the world: the living GOD is the Savior of all mankind (1Tim.4:10). Everyone must realize that truth!

Delen: