Paul says in writing to Timothy ...
"That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe."So often I am told that the bit that comes after the last comma is a denial of the bit that comes before it, so the verse "clearly" says that only believers will be saved.
I confess that I am only a mathematician, but my English grammar skills are good enough to see how ridiculous that sort of interpretation is.
I say to anyone who will listen ...
"I love icecream, especially when it's chocolate coated."
Am I saying that I only like chocolate coated icecream?
Of course not!
I am just saying that I like chocolate coated icecreams best.
I have a friend who is mad keen on Holdens and thinks they are all "nice" cars, especially the Calais models.
Is he saying he only likes the Calais models?
Of course not!
But there is something special about those models that really appeals to him.
So what is Paul saying in his salvation statement to Timothy?
God saves all people, through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary, and will be given timeless life at the end of the ages.
Believers have something extra, something special.
They are given their life now, during the ages, starting from the time they are given the faith to believe, so they can play their part with God in implementing his plan for the ages.
Aren't we so privileged to have been given faith in our lifetime on this planet? We have been chosen NOW.
And doesn't that give us a huge responsibility?
We have "ruling" or kingdom work to do now, and in the age to come. We have been chosen to partner with God in implementing his plan to bring salvation to all.
And linking this thought with yesterday's kingdom ruling thoughts ..... to be ruling WITH and FOR him means he needs to be ruling IN us.
Blessings to all you chosen, wonderful bloggers,
Barry
As well as the "especially" verse of 1 Tim 4 : 10, there is another "especially" verse in Galatians 6 : 10, which says:
ReplyDeleteTherefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)
The icecream and Holden examples above could also be used to illustrate the difference between the "all people" and the "especially people" in this verse, but let me offer another to show how "especially" does not exclude the "all people" as many opponents of God's plan of universal reconciliation claim.
Suppose you live in a small town with a large town hall that will accommodate all of its residents in a single sitting.
A popular band is on tour and has agreed to play one night in your town. The promoter of the tour has tickets for every person living there.
The news begins to spread - the band is coming to town and there's a ticket for everyone, especially for those who are members of the band's fan club.
Why especially?
Fan club members will meet the band backstage before the concert for drinks, nibbles and autographs, and be given a free copy of the band's latest CD.
They will get to meet the band first, and then the rest of the town will join the band and the fan club in the hall for the main concert later.
That's how it will be at the end (consummation) of the ages.
Believers will have met Jesus first and enjoyed kingdom life with him through the ages, and then be joined by the rest of humankind for the main concert in eternity.
Blessings, Barry