What About 1 Timothy 2:4?

Last time, we look at whether or not 1 John 2:2 advocated universalism. There is another passage of scripture that makes it sounds like the Bible does say all will be saved, but does not hold a universal weight that some would think 1 John 2:2 does.

In 1 Timothy 2, we see Paul exhorting this young pastor to make prayers and supplications for all people including those in authority. Then he goes on:

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 (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

God desires all people to be saved. Notice that verse did not say, God will save all. God has a great desire for all people to be saved from their sins. We see in other parts of the letter that not all will be saved:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons (1 Timothy 4:1)

The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later (1 Timothy 5:24)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs (1 Timothy 6:10)

We also see in other parts of the Bible, what is in store for those who do not come to repentance:

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

If universalism was true, this passage would not be in the Bible along with several other passages that talk about the destruction of those who do not repent and trust in Christ for their salvation.

What 1 Timothy 2:4 should do for the Christian is to desire for all to be saved as well. We are to love what God loves and that is people coming to repent of their sins. We should also for lost people and share the gospel with them.

Some may say that God wants the wicked to perish. In the book of Ezekiel, God asks this question, "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23). God also said, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live" (Ezekiel 33:11).