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1 Timothy 2:4 & Titus 2:11, 'desires all people to be saved'

Simon Wartanian | 15,982 views | 2,692 words | 0:14:11 hours | 07 September 2014 16:04

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1 Timothy 2:1-6 & Titus 2:11 [1]

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, Intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:1-6, ESV)

(For a better and a more recent defense of 1Tim 2:4 see here.)

This is one of the “Arminian Big Three” which you will get almost in every conversation about Calvinism in real life or online. Usually verses 3-4 are just quoted to make the case that God wants to save every single individual. The question is, does “all” in context really mean “every single individual in the world”? Or is this talking about God’s desire not His sovereign decree?

Will of Desire interpretation

There are some people who understand this passage and other passages like 2 Pet 3:9 to refer to God’s will of desire. God’s will of desire being, God’s desire that people should not murder, lie, steal, commit adultery or have other gods before Him (Ex 20), but He doesn’t decree that it should be done so. It is also called His will of precept.

So God’s will of desire refers to the things that God has not decreed in His sovereign plan before the foundation of the world, yet desires. In this interpretation, God would desire that all be saved, but He has not decreed that all should be saved, because He wants to show the full measure of His glory (Rom 9:22-24). I don’t find this interpretation compelling and I believe the following interpretation is more compelling.

The “all kinds of people” interpretation

The major Reformed interpretation takes the position that the word “all” in this context means “all kinds of people,” not every single individual, why do we say that? Because there are times in Scripture when “all” is used in the sense of “every single individual in the world”, but there are times which it isn’t used like that, but limited according to the context. Let’s look at a few verses, shall we? The portion we’re going to look at is in Titus 2. Here we see that Paul is telling Timothy to teach “sound doctrine.” Then we see him list types/groups of people:

2. Older men are to be sober-minded…

3. Older women likewise…

4. so train the young women to love their husbands and children

6. …urge the younger men

9. Slaves

11. For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people,

12. training us to renounce ungodliness…

13. waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14. who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

We see that Paul in verse 11 says that salvation has been brought for all people, but considering the context we can safely say that it means “all kinds of people,” since in the previous verses he was talking about kinds of people (men, women, slaves, etc..). We can reasonably say that what Paul is saying through “all people” is “all kinds of people,” (as we understand that in our individualistic society) just as those ki...

1689 Baptist Confession Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant - Commentary

Simon Wartanian | 42,403 views | 65,864 words | 5:42:00 hours | 04 March 2015 21:27

The 1689 Second Baptist Confession Of Faith Confession Commentary Reformed Baptist Chapter 7 God's Covenant 1689 Federalism Westminster Federalism Presbyterian Covenant Theology Covenant Of Works Covenant Of Redemption Covenant Of Grace Nohaic Covenant Abrahamic Covenant Mosaic Covenant Old Covenant Davidic Covenant New Covenant

...aning of the sacrifices and the fact that they were shadows of what He would do for perfect righteousness and atonement. By His once and for all offering, He has perfected all those for whom He died. He, being the promised Messiah of old, the Lamb that was awaited from the time of Abraham (Gen. 22:14, see above in Types and Shadows under the Abrahamic Covenant), has fulfilled and done away with the Old Covenant sacrifices by His once for all sacrifice. His sacrifice, in contrast to the Mosaic sacrifices, is done once and not repeatedly. His sacrifice, in contrast to the Mosaic, is able to perfect, why? Not only is His sacrifice perfect, but His Intercession is likewise perfect:

Heb. 10:12-14 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Oh, praise the Lamb of God all you His saints! He is our propitiation (Rom. 3:21; 1 John 2:1-2), Who has taken away our sins and satisfied the wrath of God on our behalf. Not only that, but Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7). When the Israelites put the blood of the Passover lamb upon their doorposts, they were picturing the fact that God would cleanse us in the blood of the Lamb and that because we are covered in His blood we would be saved from God’s wrath (Rom. 5:9; Rev. 7:14; 12:11; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). As John the Baptist observed:

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Christ the Temple and the People of God as God’s Temple

The Temple, as built by Solomon or the Tabernacle before that, was the special meeting place of God with men. Once a year, the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices and enter into the place where God’s presence was mostly manifested on the earth in those days. Hezekiah prays:

Isa. 37:16 “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.

The Lord manifested His special presence there. It was His meeting place with the people. When they would pray and they would do this facing Jerusalem where the presence of the Lord was manifested especially, as did, for example, Daniel (Dan. 6:10). When reading the Gospel of John, we learn that the Logos was eternally God, in perfect communion with the Father before the world began. Then in v. 14, we also read:

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Young’s Literal Translation puts it in this way: “And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us.” This was the fulfillment of the type and shadow that the Tabernacle and Temple pointed to. The Lord God of Israel Himself, in the Person of Jesus Christ, came down and tabernacled with His people and walked among them (cf. Mal. 3:1). He is our Tabernacle and our Mediator. If we are in Him, then we have fellowship with the Father and we are bold to go and stand before His throne. He is the fulfillment of the Tabernacle. Not only that, but the Lord Jesus claims to be the Temple:

John 2:19-22 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It...

1689 Baptist Confession Chapter 22: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day - Commentary

Simon Wartanian | 38,951 views | 73,377 words | 6:24:05 hours | 06 March 2015 19:29

The 1689 Second Baptist Confession Of Faith Confession Commentary Reformed Baptist Chapter 22 Christian Sabbath Sabbath The Lord's Day Fourth Commandment Day Of Worship Day Of Rest Sunday Religious Worship Church

...o the Father directly through the Son. Contrary to this blasphemous doctrine, the Bible states that we may have confidence in our approach to God:

Heb. 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The only Mediator between man and God, is Christ Jesus. There are no other viable candidates. We go to God through Christ and in His Name alone do we make our prayers (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24). To try to put any other person between man and God is to reject the Intercession and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, our faithful High Priest who “ever liveth to make Intercession for [us]” (Heb 7:25 KJV). We have a perfect Mediator through Whom we can confidently come to God by the power of the Spirit. Why should we seek another? Let’s put away all human traditions and heresies and worship God in spirit and truth, according to His Holy Word alone.

§3 The Doctrine Of Prayer

Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men. 1 But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, 2 by the help of the Spirit, 3 according to his will; 4 with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; 5 and when with others, in a known tongue. 6
1. Ps. 95:1-7; 100:1-5
2. John 14:13-14
3. Rom. 8:26
4. 1 John 5:14
5. Ps. 47:7; Eccles. 5:1-2; Heb. 12:28; Gen. 18:27; James 5:16; 1:6-7; Mark 11:24; Matt. 6:12,14-15; Col. 4:2; Eph 6:18
6. 1 Cor. 14:13-19, 27-28

Prayer is one part of natural worship, that which does not require special revelation. Natural worship is required of all men based on natural revelation. Religious worship is that worship which is based upon His revealed will. That is why prayer to God is required of all men (Ps. 100:1-4). But this does not mean that is accepted or acceptable since God has revealed the way in which we ought to pray. Although God is gracious and answers even some prayers of unbelievers. The acceptable way of prayer is to pray in the name of the Son (John 14:13-14), i.e., based on His authority and graces. It is by the help of the Spirit (Rom. 8:26), realizing our utter need for His guidance and help. Prayer is to be made knowing that our prayer should be according to the will of God (1John 5:14). Prayer is to be made with understanding, knowing what we are asking for. It is to be made with reverence since it is God to Whom we are praying. It is to be made with humility since we deserve nothing from God. It is to be made with fervency, i.e., with zeal and passion. It is to be made with faith that God will give us that which we ask for if it is according to His will. It is to be made with love to God and to others. It is to be made with perseverance, i.e., not giving up when the prayer is not answered quickly (unless led otherwise to not ask for that specific thing) and in preserving in prayer. Prayer in the presence of others should be in a known tongue so that everyone can understand what is being prayed and thereby “amen” it (1 Cor. 14:13-19, 27-28).

What Is Prayer?

Praying to God is “one part of natural worship”. This means that no special revelation is needed to teach us that we should worship God through prayer. It is natural. We want to thank God when there is goodness in our lives and we seek His help when bad things happen. Dr. Wayne Grudem defines prayer as “personal communication with God.”^[21] Keach’s Catechism 109 defines prayer...

Preservation of the Saints - Scripture List

Simon Wartanian | 19,578 views | 3,263 words | 0:16:33 hours | 23 March 2014 22:28

Calvinism Election Predestination Mercy Sovereignty Verse List God Is In Control Preservation Of The Saints

...trongIn him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Heb 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make Intercession for them.

Heb 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

God causes His sheep to persevere in the faith

Jn 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

1Cor 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Phil 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

1Thess 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Heb 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Jude 24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Perseverance of the Saints

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Mt 10:21-22 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Mt 24:12-13 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Lk 8:15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Jn 15:5-6 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Jn 15:8-10 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disci...

1689 Baptist Confession Chapter 21: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience - Commentary

Simon Wartanian | 14,604 views | 6,372 words | 0:32:47 hours | 06 March 2015 19:19

The 1689 Second Baptist Confession Of Faith Confession Commentary Confession Study Reformed Baptist Chapter 21 Christian Freedom Liberty Liberty Of Conscience Antinomianism

... away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26) and thereby made also an end to the condemnation and punishment of sin for His people. Romans 8:1 declares that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. Why? Because of His sacrificial work on their behalf. He has satisfied the wrath of God on their behalf and has been punished according to the demand of the law in place of His elect (Rom. 3:25-26; Gal. 3:10-13).

According to Romans 8:32-34, the reason that no condemnation is possible for the children of God is because of:

the death of Christ on their behalf;
the resurrection of Christ on their behalf; and
the Intercession of Christ on their behalf.

These threefold reasons do not depend upon them and are not things done by them. Rather, they are things done for them by Christ. See here for more on Romans 8:34.

2. The condemning wrath of God

Complete atonement You have made
And by Your death have fully paid
The debt Your people owed
No wrath remains for us to face
We’re sheltered by Your saving grace
And sprinkled with Your blood

— Sovereign Grace Music - Now Why This Fear, verse 2.

This is closely connected to the first point above. We are free from the guilt of sin and likewise from the condemnation which comes because of sin. Christians will never know the wrath of God. They have been, prior to regeneration, under the wrath of God (John 3:36), but after regeneration, we will have no taste of His wrath. We may be under His discipline, but His discipline is not equivalent to His holy and righteous wrath. We are delivered both from the present wrath of God and the eschatological wrath of God in Hell. The apostle Paul writes:

1 Thess. 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Christians are here described as those who (1) wait for the Son from heaven (Titus 2:13) and likewise those who are delivered from the wrath to come. The phrase “wrath to come” was first used by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:7; Luke 3:7) and referred to the eschatological judgment of God. God’s judgment is coming and it is righteous! But Christians, through Jesus, will escape from God’s judgment. This does not mean that Christians will not be judged, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:10), but that we will never be condemned by Christ. We may gain or lose rewards, but we will never be rejected and condemned by Him!

How is it that we may escape from the wrath to come? Because Christ bore the full wrath of God, which was due to our sins, upon Himself. He was punished in our place and in this way we escape from the terrifying wrath of God, which will be released upon all those who have not obeyed the Gospel of our Christ. For all those who are not found in Christ, they are at the present time already under the wrath of God (John 3:36), but once they repent and believe, they will no longer be “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3), but will be called “sons of the Most High” (Rom. 9:26).

3. The rigor and curse of the law

We no longer obey the Law to gain righteousness by it, nor are we condemned and cursed because we do not perfectly obey it. The Mosaic Covenant demanded perfect obedience, but no mere man can render that. Therefore, any least transgression of the law brought the curse of the law (Gal. 3:10). But Christ, for His people, took the curse of the law upon Himself (Gal. 3:13-14) so that we would be justified by faith. The...

1689 Baptist Confession Chapter 31: Of the State of Man after Death and Of the Resurrection of the Dead - Commentary

Simon Wartanian | 30,954 views | 63,926 words | 5:35:37 hours | 06 March 2015 23:27

... true God and the One who deserves all glory and honor. All nations will come to worship our God, for He is righteous and He is the only King of the nations (Rev. 15:3-4).

The seven angels with the seven plagues are given seven bowls filled with God’s wrath (Rev. 15:6-7), through the pouring of which the wrath of God will be finished (Rev. 15:1). As one of the living creatures gives the seven angels the seven golden bowls of wrath, the sanctuary in heaven is filled with smoke, which prevents anyone from approaching (“no one could enter”) God, for God is revealing Himself in all His indignation and wrath, and He will not be propitiated. No Intercession is possible, for God is set on pouring and finishing His wrath upon the earth through the seven golden bowls given to the seven angels. The Seven Bowls bring the following effects:

The First Bowl: harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast (Rev. 16:2).
The Second Bowl: the sea became like blood and every creature in the sea died (Rev. 16:3).
The Third Bowl: the rivers and springs of water become like blood (Rev. 16:4-7).
The Fourth Bowl: the sun scorched people with fire and they cursed God and did not repent (Rev. 16:8-9).
The Fifth Bowl: attack upon the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. Those affected cursed God and did not repent (Rev. 16:10-11).
The Sixth Bowl: the great day of God the Almighty, Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16).
The Seventh Bowl: “It is done” and great hailstones fell on people from heaven and they kept cursing God (Rev. 16:17-21).

These plagues in comparison to the Seven Trumpets (chapters 8-11) are no longer partial but they are complete and intensified. Of special interest are bowls six and seven.

The sixth bowl describes the final clash between the Church and the World. As the sixth angel pours his bowl, by that he makes a way for the World to come against the Church. The Euphrates is dried up so that the wicked multitude may march through the Euphrates to the camp of the saints (Rev. 16:12). Then three demonic spirits, signifying completion; or resembling the unholy trinity (the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet) from whence they come. These demonic spirits will deceive all who are under their control and who have the mark of the beast, in other words, the reprobates. They will assemble “the kings of the whole world… for battle on the great day of God the Almighty” (Rev. 16:14). Interestingly, this sounds very similar to Revelation 20:7-9, which describes what will happen after Satan is released. Even though the demonic spirits come out of the enemies of God, yet by God’s decree and omnipotence, they must serve His ultimate purpose. They go to deceive the wicked of the earth and gather them for slaughter. The kings and armies of the world will think that they will defeat and destroy the Church, but they do not know that them being gathered is the work of God to destroy them and to vindicate His Church. The place at which the kings of the whole world are gathered is called “Armageddon” or Har-Magedon. The word literally means “Mount Megiddo,” but the problem is, there is no such mountain! What we have is actually a valley of Megiddo. Sam Storms writes, “Megiddo was itself an ancient city and Canaanite stronghold located on a plain in the southwest region of the Valley of Jezreel or Esdraelon… The valley of Megiddo was the strategic site of several (more than 200, according to some...