1 Timothy Chapter 2, Verse 4
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4: ος παντας ανθρωπους θελει σωθηναι και εις επιγνωσιν αληθειας ελθειν
4: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth.
4: Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
the truth.
Who will have all men to be saved. That is, it is in accordance with his nature, his feelings, his desires. The word will cannot be taken here in the absolute sense, denoting a decree like that by which he willed the creation of the world, for then it would certainly be done. But the word is often used to denote a desire, wish, or what is in accordance with the nature of any one. Thus it may be said of God that he "wills" that his creatures may be happy -- because it is in accordance with his nature, and because he has made abundant provision for their happiness -- though it is not true that he wills it in the sense that he exerts his absolute power to make them happy. God wills that sickness should be relieved, and sorrow mitigated, and that the oppressed should go free, because it is agreeable to his nature; though it is not true that he wills it in the sense that he exerts his absolute power to produce it. A parent wills the welfare of his child. It is in accordance with his nature, his feelings, his desires; and he makes every needful arrangement for it. If the child is not virtuous and happy, it is his own fault. So God wills that all men should be saved. It would be in accordance with his benevolent nature. He has made ample provision for it. He uses all proper means to secure their salvation. He uses no positive means to prevent it, and if they are not saved it will be their own fault. For places in the New Testament where the word here translated "will" (yelw) means to desire or wish, Lk 8:20, Lk 23:8 Jn 16:19; Gal 4:20 Mk 7:24 1Cor 7:7, 1Cor 11:3, 1Cor 14:5 Mt 15:28.
And to come unto the knowledge of the truth. The truth which God has revealed: the "truth as it is in Jesus." "Eph 4:21".
