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1 Timothy 4 10
"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."

Is this to say that one who is NOT saved is still the Savior of them, in addition to being the Savior of those who DO believe?

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Carl, please consider posting your response for others.

CompVest wrote:Carl, please consider posting your response for others.

I'm not a pastor or seminary graduate, but I would interpret that passage thusly: Christ IS the savior of all mankind and there is no other, but salvation requires a relationship with him, and therefore not all mankind are saved. Some are already saved through profession of faith and relationship with Christ. Those that aren't may become saved by establishing that relationship with Christ. But whether one chooses to follow Christ and accept him as Lord and savior or not, He still IS the only savior. Jesus himself said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)

So while he is the savior of all mankind, it requires that mankind come through him for their salvation. Thus, if one does not, one is not saved.

That's how I would explain it.

...and it's probably best to simply not get into the Arminian Free Will versus Calvinist Predestination argument right at this time.

CompVest wrote:Carl, please consider posting your response for others.

I am sorry I should have done that to start with. Here is my thoughts in the PM. . .


To answer your question YES. Christ is Saviour for ALL MEN - rather if they Believe or Do Not Believe (He does not force Himself on anyone, we all have a FREE WILL. If someone rejects Him as Saviour it does not change the fact that He is still the Saviour of the world). John the Baptist said in John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Since He is the Saviour for all men then He rewards and provides well for those who serve Him.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I'm not a pastor or seminary graduate, but I would interpret that passage thusly: Christ IS the savior of all mankind and there is no other, but salvation requires a relationship with him, and therefore not all mankind are saved. Some are already saved through profession of faith and relationship with Christ. Those that aren't may become saved by establishing that relationship with Christ. But whether one chooses to follow Christ and accept him as Lord and savior or not, He still IS the only savior. Jesus himself said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)

So while he is the savior of all mankind, it requires that mankind come through him for their salvation. Thus, if one does not, one is not saved.

That's how I would explain it.

Interpreted well.

I would add, from 1 John, "If you believe, you have eternal life." As indicated before, God wants us to choose Him, freely. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." "No man is perfect. No, not one." Since man is a sinner, and no sinner may enter the gates of Heaven, mankind has a problem that he cannot solve, himself/herself. Holy God cannot look upon sin. So, though He wants a relationship with us, we are not worthy of Heaven, because of our sin, and we cannot work our way into Heaven ... otherwise, Christ's sacrifice would have been in vain. Therefore, God had to fix our problem for us. "He provided Himself a sacrifice" for our sins. Since only a spotless sacrifice would be good enough to cancel the sins of the world, He sent his Son, Jesus, the Christ, who came to earth, fully God and fully man. He was sinless. "No fault was found in Him." Therefore, God sent the Son portion of Himself to live a pure, sinless life, that whoever would accept His sacrifice for their sins shall be saved. John 1:1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God." :14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" ... "evenso, the only begotten Son of the Father." All that one has to do to become saved is believe. Period.

Therefore, it simply means that salvation is offered to all, not to just a few. It is offered freely, and accepted freely. That is what I get from this passage.

"He cared enough to send His very best." John 3:16

It also has a prophetic meaning, in that, in the end, He will save the whole world from the evil that is upon it. Then, the devil and all his minions are consigned to Hell for 1000 years. After that, the devil tries again, and he gets zapped for eternity! Read the last chapter of the book .... HE WINS!!!, and we get to come with him to help!

The Annoyed Man wrote:I'm not a pastor or seminary graduate, but I would interpret that passage thusly: Christ IS the savior of all mankind and there is no other, but salvation requires a relationship with him, and therefore not all mankind are saved. Some are already saved through profession of faith and relationship with Christ. Those that aren't may become saved by establishing that relationship with Christ. But whether one chooses to follow Christ and accept him as Lord and savior or not, He still IS the only savior. Jesus himself said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)

So while he is the savior of all mankind, it requires that mankind come through him for their salvation. Thus, if one does not, one is not saved.

That's how I would explain it.

...and it's probably best to simply not get into the Arminian Free Will versus Calvinist Predestination argument right at this time.

That is a great way to put it. It is what I was thinking but could not put into words to write down.