by jimwalton » Tue Jun 28, 2016 11:57 pm
Yours is an interesting perspective, so let's talk about it. It sounds as if you believe in universalism: that everyone will be saved regardless of what they do in this life. This is manifestly not a teaching of the Bible.
Even in this particular text (1 Tim. 4.9-10), we have to give consideration to the other things Paul has said in this book that help us to understand this "trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance."
In 1 Tim. 4.8 (to which v. 9 may be referring, though it may be referring forward to v. 10), it is godliness that holds promise for this life and the next. (Implying that ungodliness does not hold promise for the life to come).
In 1 Tim. 2.4 we read that God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth, and that he gave himself as a ransom for all men (v. 5). In v. 7, though, we read that Paul is a herald of such truth. There would be no need for a herald if salvation automatically applied to all regardless of their faith. Paul must preach so that people may hear. His proclamation would be unnecessary if all men were universally saved.
While salvation is possible for all (God is savior of the world), Paul makes a distinction in v. 10 that He is actually the savior of those who believe. Salvation is conditioned upon belief (v. 10)—those who recognize the truth (as Paul has said in this letter in 2.4 & 4.3).
That’s my understanding of 1 Tim. 4.9-10.
Yours is an interesting perspective, so let's talk about it. It sounds as if you believe in universalism: that everyone will be saved regardless of what they do in this life. This is manifestly not a teaching of the Bible.
Even in this particular text (1 Tim. 4.9-10), we have to give consideration to the other things Paul has said in this book that help us to understand this "trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance."
In 1 Tim. 4.8 (to which v. 9 may be referring, though it may be referring forward to v. 10), it is godliness that holds promise for this life and the next. (Implying that ungodliness does not hold promise for the life to come).
In 1 Tim. 2.4 we read that God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth, and that he gave himself as a ransom for all men (v. 5). In v. 7, though, we read that Paul is a herald of such truth. There would be no need for a herald if salvation automatically applied to all regardless of their faith. Paul must preach so that people may hear. His proclamation would be unnecessary if all men were universally saved.
While salvation is possible for all (God is savior of the world), Paul makes a distinction in v. 10 that He is actually the savior of those who believe. Salvation is conditioned upon belief (v. 10)—those who recognize the truth (as Paul has said in this letter in 2.4 & 4.3).
That’s my understanding of 1 Tim. 4.9-10.