Fathers

1 Timothy 4

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But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron, forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 4:10

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe." This in effect is to say, wherefore do we mortify ourselves, unless we expect future blessings? Have we endured so many evils, submitted to so many reproaches, suffered such insults and calumnies, and such numerous calamities in vain? For if we did not trust in the living God, on what account did we submit to these things? …

Homily on 1 Timothy 12 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He shows what the godliness is in which the apostles themselves were exercised, and confirms how he has hope for the future life, saying: "for this reason," instead of: therefore "we both labor and suffer reproach." For why would we exhaust ourselves if we did not expect the future blessings that the living God will give us after death? Here the soldiers of an earthly king, having endured many labors and dangers, often do not receive their due reward when the king happens to die; but our King is always alive, and will always repay. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

They that are carnal cannot do those things which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things which are carnal; even as faith cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith. But ye, being full of the Holy Spirit, do nothing according to the flesh, but all things according to the Spirit. Ye are complete in Christ Jesus, "who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe."

Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

But in the Lord's own very humility (in consenting to be baptized by John) there is a marvelous medicine; one was baptizing, the other healing. You see, if Christ is the Savior of all, especially of the faithful—it is the apostle's judgment, and a true one, that Christ is the Savior of all—then nobody may say, "I have no need of a savior." If you say this, you are not bowing humbly to the doctor's orders but perishing in your disease.

Sermons 292.4 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

And we endure because of the hope of life: because we hope in the living God, who is the Savior of the present and of the future life; and because of God's work which is to save: for I am your Savior (Isa 43:2). This is God become incarnate and called Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matt 1:21); Jesus is the same as Savior, because he saves with a bodily salvation that extends to all; hence he says, of all men, and with a spiritual salvation that extends only to the good; hence he says, especially of the faithful.

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗