In our study of the crucial points of truth in Paul’s epistles, the second crucial point in 1 Timothy is the full knowledge of the truth. It is based on 1 Tim. 2:4, and it expresses God’s desire that all men would not only be saved but also come to the full knowledge of the truth. The previous crucial point can be found here.
1 Tim. 2:4 Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth.
From God’s economy in faith we come to 2:4, which says that God desires all men to be saved and come to the full knowledge of the truth. No other verse besides 1 Timothy 2:4 in the entire New Testament tells us that God wants all men to enter into two things: His salvation and His truth. God desires all men not only to be saved but also to have the full knowledge of the truth. Truth means reality, denoting all the real things revealed in the New Testament, which are mainly Christ as the embodiment of God and the church as the Body of Christ. Every saved person should have a full knowledge, a complete realization of these things. By such a verse we can realize where we should be. We should be in the full knowledge of the truth.
We should realize that God from the beginning has wanted all men to be saved, and for all these saved ones to come to the full knowledge of the truth. We should endeavor, spend our energy, our mind, and our time, to get into the full knowledge of the truth. This is the word to all the believers, not just to the leading ones. All the believers should come to the full knowledge of the truth. No doubt there is a terrible shortage of those who have come to the full knowledge of the truth. We all should endeavor to be in the full knowledge of the truth. (Elders Training Book 6: The Crucial Points of Truth in Paul’s Epistles, p. 106)
Footnotes and Cross References for 1 Tim. 2:4
Who desires 1aall men to be bsaved and to come to the 2cfull knowledge of the dtruth.
Further material on this topic:
- Elders’ Training, Book 5: Fellowship Concerning the Lord’s Up-to-Date Move, Chapter 3
- Truth, Life, the Church, and the Gospel — The Four Great Pillars in the Lord’s Recovery, Chapter 4
Hymns on this topic: Hymns #817
Stanza 1.
We limit not the truth of God
To our poor reach of mind,
By notions of our day and sect,
Crude, partial and confined.
Now let a new and better hope
Within our hearts be stirred:
The Lord hath yet more light and truth
To break forth from His Word.
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Stanza 5.
O Father, Son and Spirit, send
Us increase from above;
Enlarge, expand all Christian hearts
To comprehend Thy love;
And make us all go on to know
With nobler powers conferred:
The Lord hath yet more light and truth
To break forth from His Word.
