1 Timothy 4:10 - William Styles

“Who is the Saviour of all men,” 1 Tim. 4:10. Rightly understood, these words do not imply that the atonement is universal. St. Paul is referring to his arduous labours in the Master’s service, and he tells us that he and his colleagues “both labour and suffer reproach: because we trust in the living God.” This does not mean that he was reproached for his faith in God, but that his perseverance and patience were attributable to his making God his trust, through grace. It has been supposed that the Father, and not Christ, is here intended. It is, however, doubtful whether the term Saviour can, with propriety be applied in the New Testament, to any but the Lord Jesus. The passage would then have no parallel, nor is it needful to give the word an exceptional explanation. Christ, as the result and reward of His mediatorial triumphs, has ascended “the throne of his glory,” and exercises His regal sway in heaven, on earth, and even makes His supremacy felt in hell. Every good sovereign is, in a sense, the saviour of his subjects, and the King of kings is emphatically so of the children of men. He upholds all things by the word of His power. His authority secures the perpetuity of all that is peaceful and pleasant. His power controls the influence of the Prince of darkness. Every rill of social joy flows at His bidding. The pierced hands of the once crucified Redeemer wield the scepter of universal dominion with clemency and consideration; and He is thus, in a temporal and providential sense, the Saviour of every man under heaven. Hence J.N. Darby renders it “preserver of all men,” in which sense it is strictly parallel with Job. 7:20. but Christ is the Saviour of His people. In this two-fold character the Lord was the object of the Apostle’s confidence—as the universal King, sustaining and supporting all men, and as the church’s Surety and Shepherd to whom He extends peculiar care.