Is Jesus the Savior of all men?

There are several thoughts we want to consider when we ask, “What does 1 Timothy 4:10 mean?” The verse states,

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 1 Timothy 4:10 (NASB)

Jesus Is the Savior of All Men, Especially of Believers

The Father Is the Savior of All Men

Some believe that 1 Timothy 4:10 teaches that Jesus died for all men and so all men are saved. If that is true, then we must ask why Jesus said in John 3:16 that we must believe in Him in order to not perish, that is, to not go to hell?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB)

John 3:18 also gives a serious warning,

He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18(NASB)

Here Jesus said that everyone has been judged, that is, already condemned if they did not believe in Jesus Christ. So, no one can claim that they did not know to believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord and claim innocence. The message is ignorance about Jesus is not an excuse. The point is that if someone does not believe in Jesus, then they will perish.

Therefore, Jesus encouraged His disciples to tell others that they could have their sins forgiven only by believing in Him. That is, all men are not and will not be saved. They must take action to be saved. Why else did He teach the disciples to tell others about Him?

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)

Acts 4:12 gives the warning that people are not saved except through Jesus. That is, they must look to Christ and take action to accept Him as Savior and follow Him.

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (NASB)

Therefore, we must ask, “Why did Jesus say that when our earthly life is over, some will suffer eternal punishment forever and others will not?”

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Matthew 25:46 (NASB)

The answer to all these questions is that all men are not saved automatically. Those who do not believe in Jesus are going to suffer eternal punishment forever. That is the message of the next passage too! Many will suffer pain in an eternal fire.

And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15 (NASB)

Notice that 1 Timothy 4:10 is not telling us that all men go to heaven or that Jesus can potentially save all men. Jesus or Christ is not even mentioned in the verse. “The living God” refers to God the Father who saves in several ways. First He is the preserver of the physical life of every man. The Greek word for “Savior” is soter. It can mean “savior,” “one who rescues,” deliverer or “preserver.” Scripture reveals that God the Father preserves, provides and protects.

In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:16-17 (NASB)

. . . He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things . . . Acts 17:25 (NASB)

God the Father is the preserver. Too often we become trapped in theological ideas and forget these Greek words were used in everyday life to refer to other events. In the English language, the word save can refer to a life guard saving or rescuing a drowning person. We must not always assume that soter refers to being saved in a theological sense. God the Father does protect and care for all of us in this life here on earth. He preserves all of us. He helps non-Christians build their homes (Psalm 127:1-2). He provides rain and provides food (Matthew 5:44-45).

Especially of Believers

Next, the last phrase “especially of believers” refers to the fact that God the Father also saves believers by forgiving their sins and declaring each to have the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, they are called saints in most of the opening books of the apostle Paul. The Greek word for “saints” means “holy ones.” It is He who sent Jesus to die for our sins (John 5:23, 36; 6:44, 57; 8:16, 18; 12:49; 14:24; 17:21, 25; 20:21). God the Father sent Jesus to die for our sins so that believers can have life eternal (Romans 10:9-13). God the Father is the Savior especially of believers since He saves believers from an eternity in hell. Therefore, He cares or saves all men by providing for their physical lives, but He is the spiritual savior of those who believe in Christ. He forgives their sins. Remember how Jesus taught us to pray in what we call the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is directed to God the Father and Jesus tells us to say this about mid-way through the prayer,

. . . And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (NASB)

Those who believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord are those who are truly saved because God the Father forgives them their sins. They are saved from the wrath of the Father (Romans 3:23-26; 1 John 2:1-2) and, consequently, from the penalty they deserve because they are sinners who have sinned. Only those who believe in Christ will have their sins forgiven and spend eternity with God. They will not suffer in the lake of fire. The names of these men and women are written in the book of life. If you want to learn how to become a Christian, please read “Searching For God.”

Romans 10:9-11 says,

That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” Romans 10:9-11 (NASB)

Notice that no one is automatically saved. No one is going to heaven unless they believe in Christ. Yet, God the Father is caring for them in this life. He will also punish those who disobey Him.

Conclusion:

Yes, God the Father loves all of us. He cares for His creation, but only those who believe, trust, and depend on His Son’s sacrifice on the cross for forgiveness of sins will be forgiven by the Father. Believers will live with God forever. God the Father is truly our Savior and so is Jesus Christ who died for our sins.

Is Jesus the Savior of all men?

The Father Is the Savior of All Men

Especially of Believers

Conclusion:

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