That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Summary: This passage is a hum-dinger. Paul’s words leave us with a paradox wrapped up in a controversy.
This verse, like so many others in this letter to Timothy, is difficult. It can be analyzed from several different angles, but for the sake of this meditation, we are going to use a very simple analysis. Paul’s sentence can be divided into two parts. One is paradoxical, and the other is controversial.
The first part is this: “That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior…”
Paul has been talking about how we should train ourselves to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7). The paradox is that it is God who saves us by grace, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), so why do we have to “labor and strive”?
Now, before we answer that question, let’s go on to part two, the controversial portion:
“…[God, who is the Savior] of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
What does Paul mean by saying that God is the “Savior of all people”? What does he mean by “especially of those who believe”? Depending on your theological views, there might be sixteen or more different interpretations of what Paul meant.
Without attempting to answer these questions, let me ask two more: Assuming there are sixteen different interpretations of this verse, can they all be right? Alternatively, can they all be wrong?
Now, another question: If some, most, or all of these potential interpretations are wrong, do the wrong ones qualify as the “godless myths and old wives’ tales” that Paul talks about in verse seven?
While we ponder the possibility that some or all of the traditional interpretations are wrong, let’s return to the paradoxical portion of the verse: Why do we have to put out an effort to be “godly?”
Before Adam and Eve sinned by eating from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1-7), there was no need to be “godly.” Adam and Eve walked in God’s garden where God had placed them. When they rebelled and disobeyed God, their eyes were opened, and like God, they (and we) now know “good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). The difference is that, unlike God, we are not strong enough to ignore the evil and be unaffected by it. We have to work to resist evil. That is to say, we have to work to do God’s will (Matthew 22:37-40).
We don’t “train ourselves to be godly” so that we can earn our way into heaven. We train ourselves to be godly so that we can try to stop digging the hole we are in deeper.
Application: Strive to love God above all else and our neighbors as ourselves.
Food for Thought: If we don’t understand something in the Bible, how should we deal with that situation?
If we don’t understand something in the Bible, how should we deal with that situation?
First and foremost, pray about it:
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Another helpful tool is following the Author-Audience-Agenda method.
Who wrote it; not just the person’s name, but their background, circumstances, and mission.
Who were they writing to and why; what is the audiences background, circumstances, and mission. What is the audience engaged in that brought the need for the message?
What was the message or intent behind the words. What is the imperative behind the words.
The thing I find about the Bible is that if someone tells me what the Bible means, the message doesn’t affect me as much as when I dig into the Word to find understanding. That when I seek the truth and find understanding, the truth transforms me in some way.
Proverbs 2:2–5 Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
Chris
I love that you are able to find understanding directly in God’s Word.
If we don’t understand something in the Bible, prayerfully read it again and again in context without getting outside help first. If we still don’t understand, there may be other passages of Scripture that deal with the same issue that are clearer for us to understand. Go to all of those before forming an opinion. All Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and God breathed, so other Scriptures may make the issue at hand clear.
2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1: 20 – 21: Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Rich.
Yes, the whole of Scripture is the critical context for God’s Word.
If we don’t understand something in the Bible, how should we deal with that situation?
We are physical beings seeking understanding of Gods word which is written as food, providing strength for our eternal spirits.
Trusting God, living by faith when we can’t see the whole picture is an essential part of our walk with Christ. It reassures us that there is a divine purpose, even if we don’t fully understand it at the moment. As believers we daily, moment by moment seek God’s wisdom and encouragement during our journey of faith.
ESTABLISH GODLY PRIORITIRS:
Matthew 6:33-34, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
James 1:2-4, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
SEEK LIFE IN CHRIST:
Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
DEVELOP A STRONG ENDURING FAITH:
Galatians 6:9, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
LIVE IN GODS STRENGTH OVER OUR WEAKNESS.
Isaiah 41:10, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Be sensitive to Gods leading as He directs our path according to His priorities, for our good.
Thank you, Ron.
You are pointing us to the key to understanding: our relationship with our Lord.