THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN

In Paul’s first letter to the young evangelist, Timothy, we find an interesting statement by the apostle: “For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10). Some have homed in on the words “who is Savior of all men,” and come to the conclusion that “all” will be saved. But is that what Paul is saying? Not at all.

Jesus reminds us in John 3:16 that it’s those who “believe in Him” that won’t perish but have everlasting life. Paul makes a similar statement earlier in his first letter to Timothy when he says, “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:16). And, as the writer of Hebrews reminds us regarding Jesus, “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

In prospect, God is the Savior of all men; however, it’s only those who listen to Him and do what He says that will receive the salvation He offers. As Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”