Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Who {G3588} gave {G1325} himself {G1438} a ransom {G487} for {G5228} all {G3956}, to be testified {G3142} in due {G2398} time {G2540}.
who gave himself as a ransom on behalf of all, thus providing testimony to God’s purpose at just the right time.
who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.
who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times;
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Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. -
1 Peter 3:18
¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: -
1 John 2:1
¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: -
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world. -
Galatians 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, -
1 John 4:10
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. -
Revelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Commentary on 1 Timothy 2:6 (KJV)
1 Timothy 2:6: "Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
Context
This verse is part of Paul's instructions to Timothy regarding proper conduct and doctrine within the early church in Ephesus. It immediately follows 1 Timothy 2:5, which declares "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Verse 6 elaborates on the nature of this Mediator's work, providing the theological foundation for the universal scope of God's desire for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
Key Themes
The Substitutionary Sacrifice of Christ
The phrase "gave himself a ransom for all" is central to Christian theology. It signifies Christ's voluntary and sacrificial death, which serves as a payment or price to liberate humanity from the bondage of sin and its consequences. This concept of a ransom for many is a core message in the Gospels, emphasizing Christ's unique role in redemption.
The Universal Scope of Redemption
The words "for all" highlight the boundless availability of Christ's atoning work. While not all will accept this gift, the sacrifice was sufficient for the entire human race, demonstrating God's immense love and desire for all people to find salvation. This universal offer of grace is a cornerstone of the Gospel, echoing sentiments like God's love for the world in John 3:16.
Divine Timing and Proclamation
"To be testified in due time" points to God's sovereign plan for the revelation and spread of this truth. The gospel message of Christ's ransom was not immediately apparent but was unfolded through history, culminating in Christ's advent and the subsequent mission of the church. This "due time" refers to the appointed period for the proclamation of this saving truth, urging believers to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word translated "ransom" is antilutron (ἀντίλυτρον). This is a strong term, meaning "a price of redemption, a ransom," or more specifically, "that which is given in exchange for another as the price of his redemption." It powerfully conveys the idea of a substitutionary sacrifice – Christ's life given in place of ours to secure our freedom from sin and death. It's more than just a payment; it's a life for a life.
Practical Application
1 Timothy 2:6 offers profound implications for believers today: