1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I also wrote about 1 Timothy 2 in Bible Truth #125 but wanted to focus on verses 5-6 here.
If you take these verses at face value, the verse in 1 Timothy would seem to contradict the passages in Hebrews 9 and Matthew 20. Just so we are on the same sheet of music I will point out the apparent contradiction. In 1 Timothy some may think that Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for each and every man ever born, and the NIV even uses those words, “all men” - even though the word “men” is NOT in God’s Word (the Greek). But in the verse out of Hebrews above, the writer has defined a specific group who has been ransomed (Bible Truth #72) and that is “those who are called” which occurred earlier in the verse. And who does God call? He calls those who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). He does not call each and every man to salvation (1 Corinthians 1:26). Then in the verse out of Matthew; Jesus is the one speaking and He too said He would give His life as a ransom for many, NOT all (Bible Truth #47). There is NO ONE in Hell for whom Christ died.
Well since we KNOW there is no contradiction in the Bible, these verses MUST be reconciled. How would you do it? Other than understanding that Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all the Elect (which is also true), the ONLY way it can be reconciled is that the Greek word from which we get “all” is pas (Strong’s #3956) is used in this context collectively, meaning some of all types. This is one of the biggest stumbling blocks Arminians have, and anyone who believes in decisional salvation. They believe the Greek word pas can only mean individually (each and every) every time it is used. Besides studying the word itself which should clear it up, I give several examples of “all” being used collectively (some of all types) in Bible Truth #330. Please click on that link or research this on your own.
An example is Matthew 1:21, Joseph was told to name the child “Jesus” because He will save NOT the world from their sins, but His people from their sins. To support this conclusion, I use the rest of the Bible and verses like Hebrews 9:15 and Matthew 20:28 above. It is clear Jesus did not die for each and every man ever born but some of all types of men; some wise, some mighty, and some noble (1 Corinthians 1:26).
There actually is a Greek word that means “each and every.” It is hekastos (Strong’s G1538) and there is only one way it can be used, “each and every.” You may find it interesting to note that this word is never used when referring to all mankind as those for whom Jesus died. Do you think it is a coincidence that hekastos is NEVER used in the context of the atoning death of Jesus Christ? Christ did not die for every man:
- He was named Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21), not every single human ever born.
- Jesus loved the church and gave Himself up for it (Ephesians 5:25) - not every man ever born.
- God gave His Son so that all the believing ones should have everlasting life (John 3:16), not every man.
- Jesus Himself said that He would shed His blood for many, not every man (Mark 14:24)
A final thought to consider is this: If Jesus died for the whole world why did He not pray for the whole world? In His high priestly prayer, Jesus was very specific in that he said He is not praying for the world, but for those the Father has given Him OUT of the world (John 17:9). Then He continues His prayer by saying He is praying for those who will believe on Him through their message, i.e. the Gospel (John 17:20). Again, He did not pray for the world but specifically for those who would believe through the Gospel. Why would Jesus NOT pray for the whole world if He wanted to save the whole world?
There actually is a Greek word that means “each and every.” It is hekastos (Strong’s G1538) and there is only one way it can be used, “each and every.” You may find it interesting to note that this word is never used when referring to all mankind as those for whom Jesus died. Do you think it is a coincidence that hekastos is NEVER used in the context of the atoning death of Jesus Christ? Christ did not die for every man:
- He was named Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21), not every single human ever born.
- Jesus loved the church and gave Himself up for it (Ephesians 5:25) - not every man ever born.
- God gave His Son so that all the believing ones should have everlasting life (John 3:16), not every man.
- Jesus Himself said that He would shed His blood for many, not every man (Mark 14:24)
A final thought to consider is this: If Jesus died for the whole world why did He not pray for the whole world? In His high priestly prayer, Jesus was very specific in that he said He is not praying for the world, but for those the Father has given Him OUT of the world (John 17:9). Then He continues His prayer by saying He is praying for those who will believe on Him through their message, i.e. the Gospel (John 17:20). Again, He did not pray for the world but specifically for those who would believe through the Gospel. Why would Jesus NOT pray for the whole world if He wanted to save the whole world?
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