“All men to be saved” (1Timothy 2:4 & 2 Peter 3:9)

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The above verse has been perceived in a number of ways, three of which are:
1. Every person will be saved.
2. Every person could be saved.
3. Many people will be saved.

In consideration of the question of which of these three is likely to be correct, I’ve studied the word “all” and written my findings in the following paragraphs, because I believe it is instrumental to understanding the statement.

Before examining the three perceptions given above, I suggest a few points to be considered:
Perception of scripture can be subject to our individual experiences; and the belief we hold of the interpretation of scripture whether it be truth or error, is likely to influence our perception of other scripture. Where there’s a misunderstanding of one verse, the subsequent verses, or related scripture, will likely be directly adversely affected by the misunderstood verse. Some may think this character of error may be in my own interpretation of the verses in consideration here, so I’d encourage you to study for yourself to be sure that your perception of the topic is according to the honour of God rather than man.

So great are the truths of God’s word, they’re treasures to hold every day, they free us from anxiety, drive out fear, impart wisdom, fill us with hope, joy, faith and love; The one who mediates on His Word produces fruit for sharing and finds treasures of more value than any earthly ones. To buy and lay every brick of truth on the foundation of the truth laid by Christ will mean abandoning my thoughts to receive God’s. He must increase, I must decrease, and in doing so, He fills us with greater appreciation of Himself, which is a blessing and a humbling experience.

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:10
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

One of the numerous glorious aspects of God’s Word, is that regardless of whether it’s spoken of in humility for God’s glory, or with intent to cause trouble, either way, it serves to bless man and glorify God:

 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

Philippians 1:15-18

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I believe the three opening interpretations can quickly be reduced to one:
Regarding the first perspective: “Every person will be saved.”, this doctrine known as Universalism is contrary to the following verses which state there will be eternal punishment for some.

• Firstly, it’s stated that the False Prophet will not be forgiven to eternal salvation: “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Revelation 19:20
• Matthew 12:32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
• John 17:12 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name: those that you gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Perdition: a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unrepentant person passes after death.
• Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction*: (*Thayer definition: “the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell”)
• 2 Thessalonians 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
• 1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which plunge men into destruction and perdition.
• Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after unnatural lust, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
• Revelation 21:7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

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For consideration of the second perspective that “Every person could be saved”; this proposal is also contrary to scripture (including the passages referenced above), which identify a number of persons who can’t be saved, such as the Antichrist, Judas “the son of perdition”, and those who’s names are not in the Lamb’s book of life (Refer: Rev 13:8 & Rev 21:27).

In regard to the third perspective: “Many people will be saved”, consideration needs to be given to the word “all”, which when viewed in it’s original Greek, reveals a few critically different meanings subject to the context of the surrounding verses which reveal it’s selective application rather than broad application. The selective application of “all” understood from the Greek concurs with other scripture which also restricts salvation from being given to the whole of mankind, such as was stated by Jesus in Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”:

The following 6 Greek words are interpreted in English as “all”; I’ve listed them even though they don’t all relate to the topic considered here, for the purpose of showing the variety of words which are drawn down to one English word “all”.

• pasπᾶς G3956
  • Part(s) of speech: Adjective
  • individually: each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything
  • collectively: some of all types
• holosὅλος G3650 all, whole, completely
  • Part(s) of speech: Adjective
  • Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all (holos) your heart, and with all (holos) your soul, and with all (holos) your mind.
• holōsὅλως G3654 wholly, altogether
  • Part(s) of speech: Adverb
  • Matthew 5:24 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; (holōs) neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
  • 1 Corinthians 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptised for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?(holōs) …
• hapasἅπας G537 quite, all, the whole, all together, all
  • Part(s) of speech: Adjective
  • Origin: from G1 (as a particle of union) and G3956
  • Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all (hapas) away;…
  • Mark 11:32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all (hapas) men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed
• hososὅσος G3745 as great as, as far as, how much, how many, whoever.
  • Part(s) of speech: Pronoun
  • Acts 4:23 After Peter and John were released, they returned to their own [people] and reported all (hosos) that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all (hosos) the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
• katholouκαθόλου G2527 wholly, entirely, at a
  • Part(s) of speech: Adverb
  • Acts 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all (katholou) nor teach in the name of Jesus.

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all (pas) men 2 for kings and all (pas) those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all (pas) godliness and dignity. 3 For this is good and pleasing in the sight of God our saviour; 4 who desires (thelō G2309) all (pas) men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all (pas) should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Regarding 1 Timothy 2: Context:
v1 Commences, with an exhortation to pray for person’s such as kings and those in authority over us, they’re addressed as “all” men (pas G3956 [adjective] collectively: some of all types); misinterpretation would apply “all” as holos (holos G3650 [adjective] all, whole, completely).
The instruction of this passage is for Saints to pray for and have a disposition of honour and respect toward those who exercise authority over us (to the point of them fulfilling their responsibilities within God’s instruction).
v3 Reiterates that to do as God instructs, is pleasing to Him, which shows the simplicity of pleasing God; Though we may at times wonder what we should be doing for His kingdom, here’s a way shown to all His children: The act of praying for those who exercise responsibilities for our good can be done at almost any time, so that we may live quiet lives in all Godliness; it isn’t limited by age, geographical location, social status, financial means or gender.
v4: Speaks of the compassion of God which is expressed throughout scripture from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, in His delivering the beauty and fullness of His creation into our hands, then His providence and patience throughout time through His only begotten Son and the eternal result of His promises. In this verse (dependant on the translation used), the words expressing God’s compassion, are “desires”, “will have”, “wills”, “would have”, “wants” all men to be saved, these words are translated from the Greek word thel’-o (G2309), which Thayer defines as:

1. to will, have in mind, intend
2. to be resolved or determined, to purpose
3. to desire, to wish
4. to love
   1. to like to do a thing, be fond of doing
5. to take delight in, have pleasure

In context, it’s God’s disposition of love for all (pas) types of men to be saved, such as those mentioned also in Revelation 5:9 “And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;“; Note: The redeemed are not every kindred…, but “out of every kindred...“.
Our desire toward unbelievers should be to compassionately fulfil our responsibility in preaching the gospel to all (holos) men by our actions and words. Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all (holos G3650 all, whole, completely) the world for a witness unto all (pas G3956 collectively: some of all types) nations; and then shall the end come.”

Regarding 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all (pas collectively: some of all types) should come to repentance.

God isn’t willing (as an affection to desire) that any should perish, but is long suffering toward mankind; but many men haven’t cared to honour God despite His patience; we’re told that because some think it’s better to give no thought of God in their minds, God has given them up to a depraved mind, then to suffer the eternal penalty of His judgement after death, as are those who at the time of the flood gave no respect to God.

There’s depravity in all (holos) mankind which requires a redeemer for those who are to receive the Fathers mercy: “For there is no distinction, for all (pas G3956 individually: each, every, all, the whole, everyone) have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:22-23. It’s evident that this “all” is fully inclusive of every individual person, because:

1. “there is no distinction, for all have sinned,”
2. If all (the whole) had not sinned, then there would be some who wouldn’t need the blood of Christ for acceptance by the Father,

To consider John 12:32
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all (pas G3956) men to myself”

“all” (pas G3956); when used collectively as in the above verse is again “some of all types“; and should not be confused with “all” holos G3650 as used in 1 Thessalonians 4:10 where the word “all” is used in two seperate terms:
“And indeed you do it toward all (pas G3956 collective: some of all types ) the brethren which are in all (holos G3650 the whole of) Macedonia: …”

The area of man’s responsibility needs to be clearly separated in our minds from the matter of God’s sovereign will of salvation to man. It’s not for man to look into the thought or intention of God’s will to choose one and not another, see for example the occasion of enquiry by the men of Bethshemesh in 1 Samuel 6:19: “And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD,…”,
The Ark was a sanctified object representative in part of the Lord’s presence; His ways and depths are infinitely above ours, we have no place to even consider questioning or assessing Him; in comparison to Him we are but dust. God has authority to do as He will in all His ways.

But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? 
Will the thing formed say to him who formed it,
“Why have you made me like this?” 
²¹ Doesn’t the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Romans 9:20

What we need to be concerned about in regard to the salvation of others, is fulfilling our God given responsibility to deliver the gospel to all (holos G3650) mankind, holding the truth in love with no personal appraisal of their suitability to receive the word, we’re to sow in season and out of season, and if there’s to be increase, it’s subject to God granting it: “I’ve planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:16.

May God grant us through Christ, to hold the truth in love, to deliver the good news of salvation to all (holos) the world.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!“

Isaiah 52:7

APO 29March2020

Picture credit: Thank you Tony Robertson (Another great walk & talk!)