1 Timothy 4:10 – Not an offer but a statement

Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome. For for this are we toiling and being reproached, that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers.

What did Paul toil and struggle for? Why was he vilified? What did he rely on? Or better: on whom did rely? Paul’s answer is: “on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.” This is such undeniably good news, which nothing in the world can even compare to.

Unfortunately, many translations of this message or statement have made it to be an offer. Then it is translated (despite the grammatical second case that Paul uses) that God is a Savior for all people. In this reading, God offers his salvation, but it is up to man whether or not he accepts the offer. In the Christian world the issue of ’the offer of grace’ (limited or broad) is endlessly debated. But it is a wrong discussion in advance, because God’s saving grace is not an offer but a statement. It is true, regardless of whether anyone believes it or not. It is precisely in the character of a message that the message differs from any religion. No one can take anything away from it!

Delen: