A Clay Jar

Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)

God Wants All To Be Saved – 1 Timothy 2:3-6

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. (1 Timothy 2:3-6a NIV)

The previous two verses included instructions to pray for all people, including our political leaders. Why pray for all people? Because God wants all of them to be saved. And because Christ gave himself as a ransom for all of them.

This passage is understood in several different ways. On one side are those who would say that God always gets what he desires, and so all people will be saved. But if that were the case, why are there so many passages talking about judgment for unbelievers?

At the other extreme are those who say that the expression ‘all people’ doesn’t really mean all people, but only representatives from all kinds of people. This view shares in common with the first one that all those God wants to see saved will be saved. It differs from the first view in saying that there are some that God does not want to see saved.

Salvation Is Available for All People

But the language in this passage is clear; God’s desire is for all people to be saved, not some people.

So if Christ’s atonement was for all and God wants all to be saved, then why are some not saved? Because only those who repent and believe will be saved (Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31). While God’s grace reaches to all people (Titus 2:11), enabling us to believe, he does not force belief on any of us. While he holds out eternal life to all, he executes judgment on those who reject it.

Pray for all people, especially for the unbelievers among your family and friends. Pray that they might respond to God’s gracious working in their lives, repent, believe, and be saved.

3 thoughts on “God Wants All To Be Saved – 1 Timothy 2:3-6”

  1. I wanted to know if Moses made it to heaven. I know he didn’t get to see the promised land but I still wonder if he made it. He was such a good worker and believed in God so much.

    Reply
    • I am quite sure he did. Remember that he, along with Elijah, met with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. And he is listed in Hebrews 11 as among those of faith, part of the great cloud of witnesses surround us.

      Reply

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