1 Timothy 2:4
New International Version
who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

New Living Translation
who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

English Standard Version
who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Berean Standard Bible
who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Berean Literal Bible
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

King James Bible
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

New King James Version
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

New American Standard Bible
who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

NASB 1995
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

NASB 1977
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Legacy Standard Bible
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.

Amplified Bible
who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth.

Christian Standard Bible
who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

American Standard Version
who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Contemporary English Version
God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth, which is,

English Revised Version
who willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth.

Good News Translation
who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth.

International Standard Version
who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth fully.

Majority Standard Bible
who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

NET Bible
since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

New Heart English Bible
who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Weymouth New Testament
who is willing for all mankind to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth.

World English Bible
who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
who wills all men to be saved, and to come to the full knowledge of the truth;

Berean Literal Bible
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Young's Literal Translation
who doth will all men to be saved, and to come to the full knowledge of the truth;

Smith's Literal Translation
Who wills all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
who wants all men to be saved and to arrive at an acknowledgment of the truth.

New American Bible
who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

New Revised Standard Version
who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who desires all men to be saved and to return to the knowledge of the truth.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He who wills that all people shall have Life, and shall be converted to the knowledge of the truth.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
who is willing that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Godbey New Testament
who wishes all men to be saved, and to come to the perfect knowledge of the truth.

Haweis New Testament
who wills all men to be saved, and come to the acknowledgment of truth.

Mace New Testament
who wills that all men be saved, by embracing the truth.

Weymouth New Testament
who is willing for all mankind to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth.

Worrell New Testament
Who wisheth all men to be saved, and to come into a full knowledge of truth.

Worsley New Testament
who is willing that all men should be saved, and therefore come to the knowledge of the truth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Call to Prayer
3This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,…

Cross References
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ezekiel 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.

Romans 10:12-13
For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, / for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Isaiah 45:22
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

Acts 17:30
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

John 12:32
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

Isaiah 55:1
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!

Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Romans 5:18
So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men.

1 John 2:2
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

will.

Isaiah 45:22
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Isaiah 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

and.

Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

the knowledge.

Isaiah 53:11
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Luke 1:77
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

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Desire Desires Full Mankind Salvation Saved True. Truth Wants Willing
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Desire Desires Full Mankind Salvation Saved True. Truth Wants Willing
1 Timothy 2
1. Instruction to pray and give thanks.
9. How women should be attired.
12. They are not permitted to teach.
15. They shall be saved if they continue in faith.














who wants
The Greek word used here is "θέλει" (thelei), which conveys a strong desire or will. This reflects God's benevolent and loving nature, emphasizing His active interest in the salvation of humanity. It is not a passive wish but an intentional desire, underscoring the divine initiative in the salvation process. God's will is not coercive but invitational, respecting human freedom while earnestly desiring their redemption.

all men
The phrase "πάντας ἀνθρώπους" (pantas anthrōpous) in Greek is inclusive, indicating the universality of God's salvific will. This challenges any notion of exclusivity in salvation, affirming that God's grace is available to every person, regardless of race, gender, or social status. Historically, this was a radical concept in a world often divided by ethnic and cultural barriers, highlighting the revolutionary nature of the Gospel message.

to be saved
The Greek term "σωθῆναι" (sōthēnai) means to be delivered or rescued, often used in the New Testament to describe spiritual salvation. This salvation is not merely a future hope but a present reality, offering deliverance from sin and its consequences. The concept of salvation in the biblical context encompasses both justification and sanctification, a holistic transformation of the individual.

and to come
The phrase "καὶ εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν" (kai eis epignōsin) suggests a movement or progression towards something. It implies an ongoing journey of faith, where believers are continually growing and maturing in their understanding. This dynamic process is part of the Christian life, where knowledge of God and His truth deepens over time.

to a knowledge
The Greek word "ἐπίγνωσιν" (epignōsin) denotes a full, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual assent. It involves a relational understanding, where one knows God personally and intimately. This knowledge is transformative, impacting how one lives and interacts with the world, reflecting the biblical emphasis on knowing God as the ultimate goal of human existence.

of the truth
The term "ἀληθείας" (alētheias) refers to the ultimate reality as revealed in Jesus Christ. In a world filled with relativism and subjective truths, the Bible presents God's truth as absolute and unchanging. This truth is not merely doctrinal but is embodied in the person of Christ, who declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Understanding this truth leads to freedom and fulfillment, aligning one's life with God's purposes.

(4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.--Here St. Paul gives some explanation of his exhortation, that "the congregation should pray for all men." Our prayers after all--for those far off, as well as for those near--will be in strict harmony with the will of God. "Imitate God," writes St. Chrysostom;" if He wills that all men should be saved, it is surely natural that prayer should be offered for all; if He willed that all should be saved, do thou will it now; and if in earnest thou wiliest it, then pray."

One or two points must ever be held in mind when this great statement of St. Paul's is used as a proof of "Universal Redemption." We must remember the position it occupies in the argument, it being only introduced as a reason for the exhortation to pray for all. Then the words must be looked at very carefully. God's-will is not to save (s?sai) all--if that had been His sovereign will He would have saved all; but His will is that all should be saved--all should come to the knowledge of the truth; not to the knowledge of the mere theoretical, but of the practical and saving truth as revealed in the gospel. "In other words, through the sacrifice and the death of Christ all are rendered capable of salvation (salvabiles); that some are indisputably not saved, is not due to any outward circumscription or inefficacy of the divine will, but to man's rejection of the special means of salvation which God has been pleased to appoint, and to which it is His divine will that man's salvation should be limited. Redemption is universal, yet conditional--all may be saved, yet all will not be saved, because all will not conform to God's appointed condition."--Bishop Ellicott.

Verse 4. - Willeth that all men should be saved for will have all men to be saved, A.V.; come to for to come unto, A.V. All men, etc.; to show that it is in accordance with God's will to pray for "all men" (ver. 1). (For the doctrinal statement, comp. ver. 6; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9, etc.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
who
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

desires
θέλει (thelei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

men
ἀνθρώπους (anthrōpous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

to be saved
σωθῆναι (sōthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to come
ἐλθεῖν (elthein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

[the] knowledge
ἐπίγνωσιν (epignōsin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1922: From epiginosko; recognition, i.e. full discernment, acknowledgement.

of [the] truth.
ἀληθείας (alētheias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.


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