As Paul
continued his instructions to Timothy concerning the church in
Ephesus where Timothy would be the pastor and overseer, he told him
it is “a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation”
because “godliness is profitable unto all things” and it
has the “promise of the life that now is, and of that which is
to come.” In chapter four and
verse ten of his letter to Timothy, Paul shares that this is the
reason for his laboring and suffering “reproach”
because he trusts “in the living God”
whom he calls “the Savior of all men”
where we read:
For
therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the
living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that
believe.
The verse begins, “For
therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,...” Paul
began this verse with the word “For”
which means
“because, since or on account of” “therefore”
or “into, unto, to, towards and among”
“we both labor”
which is the Greek phrase “kopiaō
kai kopiaō” and
means “to grow weary, tired, exhausted and toil with burdens and
griefs” “and suffer
reproach”
or “reviling, upbraiding and undeserved casting into one's teeth”.
The cause for which Paul grew exhausted and toiled with burdens and
griefs as well as being reviled and upbraided was the truth of the
good doctrine of the salvation of man through Jesus Christ. As he
made this stand, those promoting their “profane
and old wives' fables”
would often be against him.
The verse goes on to
say, “...because we trust in the living God,...” The
reason Paul could suffer so much and labor as he did was “because
we trust” which means “since
he hoped and waited for salvation with joy and full
confidence” “in the living God” or the “not lifeless,
not dead, enjoying real life, having true life and worthy of the
name, active, blessed and endless God who reigns and rules in His
kingdom.” Paul's confidence and trust within “the living God”
allowed him to continue sharing the gospel no matter what adverse
consequences he suffered from them.
Finally
the verse says, “...who is the Savior of all men,
specially of those that believe.” As
a final note to this verse, Paul added, “who is the
Savior” or “deliverer and
preserver” “of all men”
which includes “each, every, any, all, the whole and
everyone whether male or female”. Jesus Christ was sent to the
world as “Savior” or
deliverer and preserver of every person, and Paul adds a
special qualifier, “specially” or “chiefly, most of all
and above all” “of those that believe” which refers to
“of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of
business, the execution of commands or the discharge of official
duties.” These people are “worthy of trust and can be relied
upon” when it comes to their total commitment to Jesus. In other
words, Jesus Christ came in a general sense as “Savior of all
men”, however, to those who fully trust in, rely upon and cling
to Him, He is their “Savior” in a personal way.
As we think
upon Paul's words, it is important that we realize the difference
between Jesus being known in title as “Savior of all men”
and having a personal relationship with Him. He is the “Savior
of all men” whether people believe in Him or not. In other
words, whether people do or do not believe in Him doesn't change His
position and title. The difference in a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ is whether a person believes in Him or not. This belief
is more than mental assent and intellectual postulating. It is a
belief which trusts in, relies upon and clings to Jesus in such a
manner that it is faithful in the transactions of business and
commands of Jesus' kingdom. Let us be sure to understand, God the
Father would have everyone, everywhere believe and trust in His Son
Jesus Christ as their Savior, however, some do not, and therefore
they have not applied the provision for their salvation by God. Those
who believe however, have the personal realization that Jesus Christ
not only desires to be man's Savior, but also to be his Lord.
Next
time Paul tells Timothy to “command and teach” these
things, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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