1 Timothy 2:3-4: This Is Good, And Pleases God Our Savior
1 Timothy 2:3-4
New International Version
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Paul’s thoughts in verse three are a continuation from what he wrote in verses one and two. Paul wrote to Timothy and The Holy Spirit speaks to all believers about praying for all people and especially those in government and authority. God’s desire is that none would perish, but all would come to everlasting life (2 Peter 3:9). God’s desire is to pour out His mercy and love on those who will come to repentance. It shows us that there is a direct relationship between praying for the lost and them coming to repentance.
The word good is the Greek word kalos and it means good, beautiful, desirable. When we pray for those who are lost it is pleasing to Almighty God. God understands how wicked people are and especially those who are in position of power and leadership. But God also knows the reality if a person dies in their sin. If a person dies without coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, they will spend all eternity suffering in the Lake of Fire. It is a level of suffering and torment that we cannot comprehend on this side of eternity. As believers and followers of Jesus, this should not only motivate us to share the gospel, but it should motivate us to pray. To not only pray for those who are in positions of government and authority, but for lost family members and those we associate every day with who do not know Jesus Christ.
God’s desire is that all men would be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. What ultimately saves a person is coming to an understanding of the truth that Jesus is who He claims to be. Jesus said that the truth shall set you free. That He who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). Everything we have when it comes to salvation is built on faith alone. It is not a result of works, performance, or behavior. No matter how well we keep the word of God and live according to it, it doesn’t earn us salvation. Living righteously is an outward sign of truly being in right relationship with God, but our salvation is based on knowing Jesus Christ alone.
When we have a right understanding of how much God desires for people to be saved, it will motivate us to share the gospel as we have opportunity with every person we come into contact with. Every time we share the gospel, we have an opportunity to plant seeds. It doesn’t mean that a person will turn to Christ right at that moment, but every time we plant a seed, it is The Holy Spirit who will ultimately bring the increase and bring the person into the kingdom of Heaven. May we never take for granted every opportunity we have to share the gospel with those who are lost.