“Especially”: What is the practical day-to-day meaning for our day of the Greek word malista, translated “especially” in 1 Timothy 4:10-11?
“For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.”
The Greek word μάλιστα (malista) in 1 Timothy 4:10, a word used twelve times in the New Testament, is an important word because it tells us how Paul understood the relationship between God’s salvation of “all men” and believers.
Basic Meaning of Malista
According to Greek lexicons, malista means:
- especially
- particularly
- chiefly
- above all
- most of all
- in a special sense
It does not mean “only.”
The word identifies a subgroup that receives something in a greater, fuller, more immediate, or more noticeable way than the larger group.
Practical Day-to-Day Examples
Suppose someone says “I appreciate all my employees, especially my managers.” The speaker does not mean “I appreciate only my managers.” Rather, he appreciates everyone, but managers receive appreciation in a particular or greater way.
Likewise: “I love all my children, especially my youngest.” The youngest is not the only child loved. The youngest receives special attention within the larger group.
Or: “This medicine helps everyone, especially those with severe symptoms.” The medicine helps everyone, but those with severe symptoms benefit in a particularly noticeable way.
This is how malista commonly functions.
Other New Testament Uses
Galatians 6:10
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially (malista) to those who are of the household of faith.”
Paul does not mean “Do good only to Christians.” He explicitly says all people, with believers receiving particular attention.
The pattern: larger group → special subgroup
Philippians 4:22
“All the saints greet you, especially (malista) those of Caesar’s household.”
The saints in Caesar’s household are part of the larger group of saints, not a separate category.
Again: all → especially some
1 Timothy 5:8
“If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially (malista) for those of his household…”
He should care for relatives generally, but most particularly for immediate family.
Applying This to 1 Timothy 4:10
Paul writes: “the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially (malista) of believers.” The natural grammatical pattern is the same:
all men → especially believers
Believers are a subset of “all men.”
If Paul had meant “God is Savior only of believers,” he had much clearer Greek ways to say that. Instead he deliberately says:
- God is Savior of all.
- Believers experience that salvation in a special way.
How Different Theological Views Understand It
Traditional Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT)
Many traditionalists argue:
- God is potentially Savior of all.
- He is actually Savior only of believers.
- “Especially” means believers uniquely receive salvation.
The challenge is that this makes “Savior of all men” sound weaker than the normal meaning of the words.
Annihilationist View
Many annihilationists understand:
- God is Savior of all in the sense that He provides life and resurrection to all.
- Believers receive eternal life in a fuller sense.
Thus believers are “especially” saved.
Universalist View
Universalists often see this verse as one of the strongest uses of malista.
They argue:
- God truly saves all people.
- Believers experience salvation first, now, and more fully.
- The rest ultimately come to salvation later.
In this understanding:
God is the Savior of all humanity ultimately,
especially believers presently.
A Day-to-Day Paraphrase
If Paul were writing modern English, he might say:
“We have placed our hope in the living God, who saves everyone, but believers are the ones who are benefiting from that salvation right now.”
Or:
“God is the Savior of all people, and believers are the first and foremost recipients of that salvation now.”
Or:
“God’s saving work extends to all, but Christians are presently enjoying its benefits in a special way.”
The Practical Meaning for Today
From a practical standpoint, malista suggests that believers receive certain blessings earlier, more consciously, and more completely in this age:
- forgiveness now,
- peace with Father Yahweh now,
- the indwelling Spirit now,
- transformation now,
- abundant life now,
- assurance now.
If one adopts a universal restoration reading, believers are not the only people our Creator and Redeemer intends to save; they are the firstfruits who experience His salvation ahead of the rest.
In simple everyday language, malista in 1 Timothy 4:10 means something like:
“God is the Savior of everyone, but believers are enjoying the benefits first and foremost.”
So, why should we teach and preach that Yeshua is going to save all of mankind via His refining and transforming work which will extend into the ages? Because we are told, even commanded, to do just that in the very next verse:
1 Timothy 4:11 “Prescribe and teach these things.”
Therefore, if anyone resists the teaching of universalism are they resisting the Word and commandment of our Creator and Redeemer?
Brother Roger
Enjoy the song about this “special” especially.
Leave a Reply