Episcopal Watch
I Timothy 2:4
A Biblical Response to One of the Arminian’s Favorite Verses in Scripture
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of truth.”
When looking at the interpretation of scripture one must look at the total context without isolating single verses. It is also critical to keep in mind that there are no contradictions in the Bible. Also, not all words that are the same always have the same meaning. For example, the word “world” (another misinterpreted word used by Arminians) does not always have the same meaning.
Timothy, being a student of Paul, was aware of Paul’s theology. And Paul’s theology was directly inspired by God. Therefore, Paul’s writings were not contradictory. There are two key words in this single verse that cannot be misunderstood. First, the word “will.” When one looks at this Greek word used by Paul it is the word thelo. It has an interpretive meaning of to determine, to choose or to prefer. Notice that from the scripture it does not say that man has the will to choose but it is a reference to the “Who” as the verses begins. But like all scripture, it must be supported by verses surrounding it. I Timothy 2:3 reads, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” Therefore, the “Who” in verse four is God. This tells us that it is God Who wills certain men to be saved.
The second keyword to look at, of course, is the word “all.” Does “all” imply that God wants every single person that has ever lived or will live to be saved? If not, since not all are saved, then to whom is Paul referencing? Looking at another epistle that Paul wrote, we read, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the saints……According to as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:1-5). Through the Triune God’s predetermined will He has chosen some unto salvation. Whom Paul writes about in I Timothy 2:4 are the same ones whom he writes about in Ephesians chapter one. The “all” in I Timothy 2:4 are the “us” in Ephesians 1:4.
A further look at verse 2 of that same chapter Paul mentions “kings, and for all that are in authority.” Is he saying every king and everyone in authority is to be saved by God? Certainly not. “All” does not always mean every single king or person in authority that has every lived or will live. Does it not fit scriptural interpretation better for him to mean all kinds of kings and persons in authority? If God willed that every single person is saved then certainly that would be true but it is obvious from the context and the veracity of scripture that is not sound biblical interpretation unless one holds to the unbiblical view of universalism.
Ephesians chapter one verse five says that God does “according to the good pleasure of his will.” Since God is sovereign and His will cannot be thwarted then one can conclude that if He wills someone to be saved then they will be saved. And, He will save all of His elect according to scripture.
Paul is not writing to confuse Timothy or the readers of today. Paul is simply confirming that God is, in fact, willing by His will that all those “chosen in him” will be saved. And, as Peter wrote, God is “not willing that any (of his chosen before the foundation of the world) will perish” (II Peter 3:9).
Scripture supports itself. There are only contradictions with men.