1 Timothy 4:10 – Saviour of all mankind

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.

That the living God is a Savior of all mankind speaks not only to the scope, but also to the nature of salvation. It is unconditional and therefore all-encompassing. The Gospel is not that God is my Savior, but a Savior of all mankind… and therefore also of me!

As important as it is to read what is here, it is also important to know what is not here. Paul does not preach the salvation, but the Savior of all mankind. He wasn’t preaching something (no matter how great), but Someone! The living God Himself is the subject of his preaching.

That God is a Savior of all mankind means that He saves all. No matter when. However, it does not mean (as some have wrongly concluded) that He has already saved all. Scripture assures us that salvation comes only through calling on the Name in faith (Rom. 10:13). And because we know (Phil. 2:11) that ultimately every tongue will acclaim that Jesus (=YAHWEH is Savior!) is Lord, this confirms that but also how and when God saves all.

Delen: