Does 1 Timothy 2:4 Prove Universalism?
Does 1 Timothy 2:4 Prove Universalism?
In 1 Timothy it is said: "[God] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth," (1 Timothy 2:4 NASB1995). Some universalists, i.e. people who believe all will be saved, have argued that as God wills all to be saved, all will be saved as everything that God wills comes to be.
The main issue with this claim is the argument is based on a false premise. Merely because God desires something, it does not mean it will necessarily happen. God desired the Israelites to stop idolatry (Exodus 20:3); however, the Israelites still repeatedly fell into sin (Deuteronomy 12:32-13:18; Hosea 1-3; Isaiah 45:20; Judges 10:14; Isaiah 44:17; Habakkuk 2). God gives people free will, the ability to either choose or reject him; thus, even if God may will something to happen, he at times provides mankind the opportunity to do what they desire.
Work Cited:
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.