Bible Phrasing: 1 Timothy 4:6–10

First Timothy 4:6–10  can be divided into three parts. 

In part one, Paul makes a conditional statement. In part two, Paul offers a contrastive statement by discussing the alternative to irreverent, silly myths (4:7). Finally, in part three, Paul makes one of the many "trustworthy sayings" in epistle. 

First, the conditional statement in 4:6 can be divided into three parts. First, is the protasis "if you put these things before the brothers," the main clause, called the apodosis, "you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus," and the manner clauses, "being trained in ... faith ... and good doctrine." 

The protasis reveals two important features of Timothy's task (1 Tim 1:3–5; 4:1). First, Paul expects Timothy to put "these things" before the brothers. What could "these things" refer to? Up to this point in the letter, Paul has instructed on quite a few topics like false teaching, public worship, the role of women, biblical church leadership, and one's behavior in the household of God. In the immediate literary context (4:1–5), Paul offers a warning (4:1–3) and key theological doctrine (4:4–5) to combat the apostasy of some. All of these topics are good candidates for what Paul envisioned Timothy should put before the brothers. Second, Paul expects Timothy to put "these things" before the brothers. Here the expression likely refers to the church. These topics are not abstract truths for the wider culture -- they are for the church Paul assigned to Timothy. These topics, therefore, fall in line with Paul's primary objective from 3:14–15, which is to demonstrate how one ought to behave in God's household.

The apodosis, which begins in 4:6b is the main statement of the verse. By putting "these things" before the brothers, the reward for Timothy is that he will succeed in being a good servant of Christ Jesus. Besides the tasks Paul assigns to Timothy, what other qualities make up a "good servant" of Christ Jesus? The third part of the verse shows us that being a good servant includes "being trained" in words of faith and good doctrine. Being a good servant also includes a consistency in followership, as Paul observes, "that you have followed." 

In part two, Paul offers a contrastive statement of two instructions. The first instruction, "have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths," is a negative command. Irreverent, silly myths, are not in line with being a good servant of Christ Jesus because they presumably have another source beside "words of faith" and "good doctrine." βεβήλους is used in 1 & 2 Timothy (1 Tim 1:9; 6:20; 2 Tim 2:16) with one occurrence in Hebrews 12:16. In all contexts it refers to that which is profane, worldly, or unfit. γραώδεις (the word translated "silly") is a hapax legomenon. And μύθους occurs five times in the NT (2x in 1 Tim; 1x in 2 Tim; 1x in Titus; and 1x in 1 Peter). Paul instructs to Timothy to reject anything that goes against the certainty of Scripture and good doctrine. 

In order for Timothy to refuse irreverent, silly myths, Paul gives him a positive command, "train yourself for godliness." εὐσέβεια is an important theme in 1 Timothy, occurring 8x. Paul offers a rationale for training in godliness in verse 8. Paul asserts that "godliness is of value in every way." Why? He provides two reasons: 1) it holds promise for the present life and 2) it also holds promise for the life to come. 

Finally, in part 3, Paul uses the "trustworthy saying" formula to introduce a motivation for toiling and striving. The γὰρ in verse 10 denotes a purpose ("for...this end") and ὅτι clause in verse 10 introduces the trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance, "we have our hope set on the living God." In other words, Timothy's and Paul's efforts have a proper "end" because the end of all their strife and toil is the living God. God is the "Savior of all people," but Paul adds emphasis, "especially to believers." μάλιστα occurs 12 times in the NT and denotes specificity or degree. While it is true that God is the Savior of all people, it is particularly the case among those who believe. 

On this final statement, "the Savior of all people, especially of those who believer," several interpretations exist:

1) Some interpreters believe this is a proof text for an "all-encompassing" salvation of humanity (for instance, W. A. Lock). From other Pauline letters, this view can be flatly rejected, especially since Paul teaches in other places that some will face condemnation, for example, Alexander and Hymaneus in 1 Tim 1. Others say there may be a potential for universal salvation since the offer is opened to all (Millard Erickson). 

2) Some interpreters believe this is a proof text for an "all-encompassing" salvation among the various ethnicities, cultures, and races. The use of ἀνθρώπων allows for a view of different types of people, but changes the sense of God's relation to humanity. God is not saving all humanity in a universal sense. But there is biblical warrant for God's salvation among the many tribes, tongues, and nations. 

3) Some interpreters believe this is a proof text for the doctrine of particular atonement. In this view "Savior of all people," refers to a temporal sense -- "God's salvation is available to all people while there's still time." While God is the Savior of all people in a temporal sense, there is an eternal, pre-determined limited atonement for those who believe. 

4) Other interpreters believe Paul's statement is a polemic against false teachers who had become sectarian in their call for salvation. Paul's emphasis on universal salvation would then be a corrective against the sectarian notion of limited openness to God's salvation. Along these lines, some have surveyed ancient inscriptions in Ephesus and take these verses as a polemic against Ephesian rulers who would refer to themselves as "saviors." 

5) Some reformers, like John Calvin, believe that this verse is not about salvation but about common grace in the world. 

6) Finally, T. C. Skeat translates μάλιστα as "namely," which would clarify verse 10: "God is the Savior of all people, namely, those who believe." 

Most of these interpretations have some merit for consideration. But a primary rule in biblical interpretation is to use Scripture to interpret Scripture. This Bible verse cannot be about universal salvation of all people, since the Scriptures describe hell as a place for those who reject Jesus, and since in Paul's ministry, he encountered several people who are destined for God's wrath (for instance, see Paul's description of false teachers in Galatians and Philippians). Besides Paul, the NT maintains a clear distinction between "who's in" and "who's out," especially when it comes to false teaching (e.g. Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter; 1 John 2:19; Jude; Revelation).

While this verse does not teach universal salvation -- the salvation that occurs without proper faith in the historical and spiritual truths about Jesus Christ, his death, and resurrection-- it similarly does not provide a clear teaching on particular atonement, as some have suggested.