God the Saviour of all Men

Universalists err in quoting the text from which these words are taken as proof of Universalism. The text reads: "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe" (1 Tim. 4:10).

It is manifest that all depends upon the meaning of the word Saviour, which in the Greek is soteer, which Liddell and Scott define as "Saviour, deliverer, and preserver". A reference to Psa. 36:6, which reads, "O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast", shows how God is the preserver of all men - i.e., as he is the Preserver of the "beasts". God gives "to all life and breath and all things " (Acts 17:25), and so the Psalmist said, "Thou takest away their breath (man and beasts), they die, and return to their dust" (Psalm 104:29).

The text in question, 1 Tim. 4:10, is therefore misapplied by Universalists in confusing it with Salvation.

F. G. J.