1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties [and] prayers, petitions [and] thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, [and] one mediator also between God and men, [the] man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony [given] at the proper time.
1 Timothy 2:1-6
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy utilizing the clause "all men" in verse 1 and verse 4.
Lord Jesus said:
"the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28)
"many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)
Jesus IS GOD (John 8:58). Paul IS MAN (Acts 7:58 Saul is Paul). The words of Paul need to reconcile back to Jesus. Lord Jesus said that Jesus came "to give His life a ransom for many". Paul wrote "gave Himself as a ransom for all". Lord Jesus said "many"; on the other hand, Paul said "all".
God is all mighty (Genesis 35:11) with a might that surpasses human intellect abilities (Isaiah 55:8). If God really wants something, then God gets it (Daniel 4:35, Jude 1:4, Revelation 21:27, Romans 9:20-23).
While examining Paul's writing in 1 Timothy 2:1-6, we would do well to keep in mind the revelation to the Apostle John:
"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.'" (Revelation 5:9-10)
Paul indicates prayers be made on behalf of "all men" then Paul mentions a classification of men, that is kings in the plural and those in authority in the plural. Don't forget Revelation 5:9-10.
Paul then indicates the prayers be about "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity".
The "all men" mentioned by Paul does not indicate specific men, rather classifications/types of men. There are kings, and there are "not" kings. Keep an eye on Revelation 5:9-10. Note Paul's writing here does not mean that we cannot pray for specific individuals.
In verse 4, Paul indicates God desires "all men" to be saved. The "all men" in verse 4 are a continuation of the "all men" in verse 1, that is, the classifications/types of men. God desires men of various types to be saved, recall Revelation 5:9-10 above.
In verse 6, Paul indicates that Christ Jesus gave Himself a ransom for "all", and that "all" is the elect/chosed of God (recall Matthew 22:14 above). That is, the ones who are born again by the Spirit of God (John 3:3 and John 3:5) as well as the work of God in a person to believe in Jesus whom the Father has sent (John 6:29).
Can the Apostle Paul be referring to every person who ever lived at any point in time in 1 Timothy 2:4 or 1 Timothy 2:6? Let's examine scripture which contains the answer.
- Judas Iscariot (Jesus knew the son of perdition [destruction, ruin, loss, perishing; eternal ruin] would betray him John 13:11, John 17:12, Acts 1:16-20)
- Pharoah (raised up to fight against God Romans 9:17)
- Esau (God said "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." Romans 9:13 translated accurately, quoting from Malachi 1:2-3)
- Jewish Religious Leaders (they cried out saying, "Crucify, crucify!" about Jesus John 19:6 and with the upcoming "Your" being God's "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur" Acts 4:27-28)
- Pontius Pilate (the upcoming "Your" being God's "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur" Acts 4:27-28)
- Antichrist ("false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect" Matthew 24:24)
The above six points, every one of the points, makes reference to REAL people. The people are ALL under the wrath of God for there is no indicating of belief in Jesus whom the Father has sent!
Paul wrote Romans 9:13 and Paul wrote 1 Timothy 2:4. Thus providing more clarity that "all men" in 1 Timothy 2:1-6 are various types of men.
It is far worse than a critical disservice to God for any man to interpret 1 Timothy 2:1-6 as some kind of promiscuous man controlled salvation support apparatus.
Please see
"The Sovereignty of God is true, and the sovereignty of man is false Post (in this thread)".