If, in 1 Tim. 2:4 'all men' actually means ALL men, wouldn't that lead us to universalism?
For who thwarts the will of God? (Isaiah 14:27)
(I'm actually a bit confused at this point. )
-ellie
That reference was to declare that God has paid a ransom that is able to save all... and in keeping to the scripture... it is by believing in Him is how that ransom is received in order to be saved.
So if you were in jail and on death row when somebody informed you that someone outside is willing tp pay for your release and has the means to do so to pay for everybody's release, but you do not believe it, and thus you will not ask for it.
Incontext:
1 Timothy 2:1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [SUP]
2 [/SUP]For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [SUP]
3 [/SUP]For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [SUP]
4 [/SUP]Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
This was Paul way of justifying praying for all men, including those in authority as set forth in verse 1.[SUP]
5 [/SUP]For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [SUP]
6 [/SUP]Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [SUP]
7 [/SUP]Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not
a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Now this is about praying for all men that they may cone to the knowledge of the truth for which there is a need for a preacher to tell them the Good News so that they may believe and be saved.
Romans 10:[SUP]
8 [/SUP]But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [SUP]
9 [/SUP]That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [SUP]
10 [/SUP]For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [SUP]
11 [/SUP]For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [SUP]
12 [/SUP]For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [SUP]
13 [/SUP]For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [SUP]
14 [/SUP]How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [SUP]
15 [/SUP]And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [SUP]
16 [/SUP]But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [SUP]
17 [/SUP]So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So Jesus wasn't kidding about the condition of those not believing in Him as already condemned which is akin to sinners already being in jail on death row.
John 3:[SUP]
18 [/SUP]He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.