“Who Will Have All Men to Be Saved” (1 Tim 1:12-2:6)

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (vs4).

The Lord Jesus gave Himself a ransom for many, laying down His life an atoning substitute for sin, paying for sins from every nation, kindred, tribe, and tongue (Rev 5:9).

He sets forth Paul as an example of His patient longsuffering and willingness to be slighted by those He gives mercy, saving the most notorious and clearly wicked of sinners - “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and hurtful: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me preeminently, Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a example to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.  Now unto the King eternal, incorruptible, invisible, the only wise God, be [value] and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Tim 1:12-16).

Paul was a monster… blasphemous, persecuting, and harmful to others.  He had hate for grace, hate for the gracious, and only pride and hurtfulness in his heart for others. He was the chief of sinners, and yet Christ showed him mercy, giving him faith and love - things needful - and calling him to service. He who had opposed Christ in unbelieving ignorance would be GRACED to preach the gospel he now loved.

Secondly, the Lord DEMANDS we fight the battle His way in sound doctrine, not giving up on faith as the lone means of assurance with God, without works (Rom 4:5-8). We are just before God by faith only, and the conscience is purged by Christ’s obedience, rather than our own - “This charge I commit unto you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on you, that you by them might war a good warfare; holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not the blaspheme” (vs18-20). It is here we find peace, and any destruction of “faith alone” is a destruction of Christ’s gospel, and those who oppose Him must be marked.  If repentance is refused, they must be shunned for their good and the good of His church.

Thirdly, we pray for all kinds of people because God saves all kinds and is willing to save ANY who come to Him - “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications (needs), prayers (devotion), and intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a calm and quiet life in all godliness and devotion” (1 Tim 2:1-2)  We are to be thankful that we have peace enough to honor God, and thereby we give ourselves to reconciling sinners to His majesty.  This is honorable - “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, a testimony in his time” (vs3-6).

The gospel is God’s declaration of a people He has saved and will save, and it is the open armed call of the Savior to all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30-31). Receive as Boss the One we put to death.  Receive grace FREELY and savingly given, and become peacemakers and examples to others.