Bible Truth #330 - 1 Timothy 4:9-10

1 Timothy 4:9-10

9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.

The simple language of verse 10 should tell you He is not the Savior of each and every man because there are men in Hell today. How can Jesus be someone’s Savior if they’re in Hell? That is, unless you believe Christ failed. He DID say that He has come to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10) and since the whole world is lost, and since each and every man is not going to be saved, did Jesus fail? NO! He saved every man He intended to save. His substitutionary death was ONLY for those chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).

So obviously “all” in this passage (Strong’s G3956) is not used individually in context, but collectively (some of all types). I’d also like to point out that I believe “specially” is a poor transliteration of malista. Better: “...who is the Savior of 'some of all kinds' of men, CHIEFLY those who believe.” The Arminian may disagree and think it's Calvinist spin but it's the only interpretation that can be reconciled with the rest of Scripture.

As I quoted C.H. Spurgeon in Bible Truth #217, the Greek word pas, frequently translated “all” and sometimes “whosoever,” is used in different ways and the Arminian will simply have to accept that. When they believe “all” means individually (each and every one) and it contradicts other Scripture, they are mistaken. “All” is also used collectively (some of all types) and when that usage fits the verse AND is reconciled with every other passage on the same subject, then that usage must be understood to be accurate.

Here are some more examples of “all” when it is NOT used in the individual context meaning each and every but rather, in the collective context meaning some of all types:

- Acts 22:15 Paul is relating the story of when he was told that he would be a witness to “all men.” Well, was he a witness to every single man who ever lived or will live? Or for that matter, was he a witness to every single man alive when he was alive? No. Was he to be a witness to each and every man he met? Yes. So we are talking about a specific group of men, NOT each and every man of the human race.

- Acts 21:28, that he would teach all men everywhere.. did Paul teach each and every man of the human race? No. Did he teach some of all types? Yes. Once again we are talking about a specific group of men, NOT each and every man of the human race.

- Colossians 3:11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Is Christ in each and every man of the human race? No. Is Christ in each and every man in Colosse? No. Is Christ in each and every believer in Colosse? Yes. So once more we are talking about a specific group of men, NOT each and every man of the human race.

As I’ve written before (Bible Truth #324), there IS a Greek word that is used only when each and every man or object is the subject. That word is hekastos and it is never used in the context of the atonement of Christ as in “He died for each and every man who was ever born.”

Since there are other passages where it is clear that “all men” does not mean each and every single man, and “all” can mean either individually (each and every) OR collectively (some of all types), then the proper understanding of 1 Timothy 4:10 is clearly Christ is the Savior of some of all types of men since it would otherwise contradict other passages in God’s Word.

Jesus Christ is NOT the Savior of a man in Hell for if He were, that would make Him a failure. My Savior is not a failure, is yours?