1 Timothy 2:6
What does 1 Timothy 2:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 2:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 2:6 means
Christ Jesus achieved mediation by paying the price: he gave himself as a ransom for all. His death was voluntary and substitutionary, liberating captives from sin’s claims. The phrase “for all” echoes the call to pray for all and God’s saving desire; it signals the sufficiency and openness of the atonement. “The testimony to be borne in its own times” points to God’s plan to unveil this gospel at the appointed season, now proclaimed publicly. The church’s prayer and mission arise from this accomplished redemption. We intercede for all because the ransom is sufficient for all, even as it is effective for those who believe.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who gave himself as an offering for all; witness of which was to be given at the right time;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who did give himself a ransom for all--the testimony in its own times--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony [to be rendered] in its own times;
Context
The explanation of Christ’s mediation now focuses on the cross as ransom and on God’s timing in revealing the gospel. Next, in verse 7, Paul will link this testimony to his own appointment as preacher and apostle to the Gentiles. From there, the letter returns to practical order in worship (v. 8 and following), showing how doctrine fuels and shapes conduct in the assembly.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 1:18
knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;
- 1 Peter 3:18
Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
- 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.
- 1 John 5:11
And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- Revelation 5:9
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
- 1 Peter 2:24
who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.
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