1 Timothy 2:4

Who will have all men to be saved [ο ς π α ν τ α ς α ν θ ρ ω π ο υ ς θ ε λ ε ι σ ω θ η ν α ι]. Lit, who willeth all men, etc. As who, or seeing that he, giving the ground of the previous statement. Prayer to God for all is acceptable to him, because he wills the salvation of all. Qelei willeth, marking a determinate purpose.

Come to the knowledge of the truth [ε ι ς ε π ι γ ν ω σ ι ν α λ η θ ε ι α ς ε λ θ ε ι ν]. The phrase only here and 2 Timothy 3:7. Epignwsiv is a favorite Pauline word. See on Romans 3:20; Colossians 1:9; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Timothy 4:3. It signifies advanced or full knowledge. The difference between the simple gnwsiv and the compound word is illustrated in Romans 1:21; Romans 1:28, and 1 Corinthians 13:12. In N. T. always of the knowledge of things ethical or divine, and never ascribed to God. For ajlh. qeia truth, see on sound doctrine, ch. 1 10. It appears 14 times in the Pastorals, and always without a defining genitive. So, often in Paul, but several times with a defining genitive, as truth of God, of Christ, of the gospel. The logical relation in the writer's mind between salvation and the knowledge of the truth is not quite clear. Knowledge of the truth may be regarded as the means of salvation, or it may be the ideal goal of the whole saving work. See 1 Corinthians 13:12; Philippians 3:8; James 17:3. The latter is more in accord with the general drift of teaching in these Epistles.