1 Timothy 4:10 and Limited Atonement

One of the problematic texts that the advocates of Limited Atonement have to deal with is 1 Timothy 4:10, which quoted in context is as follows:

1 Timothy 4:

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

10 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.

11 These things command and teach.

My primary objective in this post is not to try to refute the Calvinistic and “Reformed” reading of that text, because there are others who have already done a good job of that, a good example of which can be found here. My primary aim in this post is to point out a peculiarity of that passage which others have missed; and that relates to the nuance that the word “specially” adds to the text.

What that passage is essentially saying is that you don’t have to “believe” in Jesus to be saved—but that you stand a better chance if you do! Calvinists, Evangelicals, and “Reformed” theologians say that if you have never heard of the gospel through no fault of your own, and thus not had the chance to “believe,” you are out of luck. You have lost your chance. You have no hope of salvation because you have not “believed”—even if it was through no fault of your own, because you never had a chance to. 1 Tim. 4:10 (and other passages of the Bible that we shall look at) tell a different story. People don’t necessarily have to be “believers” to be saved. People of all nations (and religions) who out of a good conscience do what is good and right in their lives will still be saved. They are saved by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They don’t “save themselves”. They are not “saved by their own works”. They are saved by God because they do what is good and right in their lives. But their salvation still comes because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ—even if they are not aware of it themselves. What that scripture is saying is that they stand a better chance of being saved if they come to faith in Jesus Christ—but they are still saved if they do what is good and right in their lives, even if they have never heard of Jesus Christ. That is the most logical, exegetical meaning of the word “specially” in 1 Tim. 4:10; and that is what the rest of the Bible affirms:

Acts 10:

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation [and religion] he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Romans 2:

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew [or Christian] first, and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew [or Christian] first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Galatians 6:

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

James 1:

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Ephesians 6:

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Colossians 3:

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons [with God].

1 Corinthians 6:

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 1:

17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

According to the Bible, on judgement day, judgement will take place according to men’s works, not according to their faith:

John 5:

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life [i.e. salvation]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

That scripture does not discriminate between “believers” and “unbelievers;” between the “elect” and “non-elect”. It is made applicable equally to all people without exception or discrimination. It applies equally to believers or unbelievers—to Christians, Jews, or pagans alike. All will be judged according to their “works”—and saved or damned accordingly—and not according to their “faith”. The only thing that mitigates against sins is genuine repentance. If they have genuinely repented of their sins, they will be forgiven and saved—whether they have “believed” or not. “Faith alone” doesn’t save anyone; but faith with genuine repentance does. Genuine repentance without faith still saves; but “faith alone” without repentance doesn’t. God has “no pleasure” in the death (damnation) of the wicked; but that they should “turn” from their evil ways (repent) and be saved:

Ezekiel 18:

23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his [evil] ways, and live?

Ezekiel 33:

11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way [repent] and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Repentance is the primary criterion for obtaining forgiveness and salvation. Repentance without faith still saves; but faith without repentance doesn’t. Faith without repentance damns people faster than no faith at all:

Luke 12:

47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

So going back to 1 Tim. 4:10, what that scripture is saying, in a condensed and abbreviated form, is what is said in the verses quoted above. Here it is again:

1 Timothy 4:

10 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.

What that is saying is that you don’t have to “believe” in order to be saved. You only need to repent of your sins and keep God’s commandments. But you stand a better chance if you believe. That does not mean that we “save ourselves,” or that we are “saved by our own works”. We are still saved by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. But we need to repent of our sins and keep God’s commandments to be saved. That is what that scripture is saying. That is what the word “specially” in that verse signifies. It means that you don’t have to be a “believer” to be saved—but you stand a better chance if you are. Those who repent of their sins and keep God’s commandments will still be saved, even if they have never heard of Jesus. They are saved by the Atonement; but the primary agent that triggers, or makes that redemption effectual in their lives is repentance rather than faith. And “repentance” means to stop sinning. It means to stop doing what is wrong, and start doing what is right; which is another way of saying, “keeping God’s commandments”. You have to keep the commandments of God to be saved; and you stand a better chance of doing that if you are a believer than if you are not.