Dr Paul Allen

Does 1 Timothy 2:4 mean God wants every single person who ever lived to be saved? A closer look at verses 1-7 and the context helps us to get at the answer. Paul urges Timothy to lead the church to pray “first of all” — Paul wishes to give this exhortation first because of its great importance. The word “then” simply means “therefore” and resumes the thought begun in 1:18: “Because I am entrusting you with the pastoral duty to oppose false teachers (1 Tim. 1:18), you, therefore, need to pray (1 Tim. 2:1).” Thus Paul views prayer as one of the ways in which the church combats false teaching. Four different types of prayer Paul mentions four different types of prayers: supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings. He probably does not intend to give a precise delineation of different types of prayer but rather means simply to say that the church needs to offer all kinds of prayers for all people, and the type of prayer required will often be dictated by the need ...

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. —1 Timothy 2:1–7 First of All, Pray Paul urges Timothy to lead the church to pray “first of all”—Paul wishes to give this exhortation first because of its great importance. The word “then” simply means “therefore” and resumes the thought begun in 1:18: “Because I am entrusting you with the pa...