That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. I Timothy 4:10
Timothy was a pastor to the pastors. His mother was a Jewess, his father a Greek gentile. The early church had no cathedrals or seminaries and were horribly persecuted as they met in homes and strove to live as Jesus modeled. This letter from Paul encouraged Timothy to focus on the essential attributes of Christianity rather than superficial details that become distractions or opportunities to abuse or exploit.
The early Jewish converts struggled with their lifelong traditions and laws that defined who and whose they were. As gentiles joined the community of believers a vulnerability of cross-purposes and diverse backgrounds invited combative, gross mis-interpretation and error in theological teachings.
A simple gospel truth was the anecdote; God offers salvation to all those who will believe and trust Him. Verse 11 says, “Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.” As Paul wrote to Timothy he was emphasizing the blessing that salvation is universal as well as quite basic: God sent His Son, Jesus, who gave His own life freely as a final sacrifice. When He died and rose again He took the power of death away from evil. We are all offered salvation from darkness and into peace, rest and life eternal.
Love,
Gretchen