A prevalent misinterpretation of this passage promotes universalism, claiming God saves every person unconditionally as the 'Saviour of all men,' ignoring qualifiers like human free will and judgment. The phrase 'specially of those that believe' distinguishes God's general benevolence and atonement provision for all from its particular application only to the faithful, not guaranteeing salvation for unbelievers who reject Christ; it neither negates hell nor excuses unrepentant sin, but motivates perseverance through confident hope in God's discriminating grace.
I Timothy 4:10
King James Version (1769)
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
The core truth of 1 Timothy 4:10 is that believers endure labor and reproach because they trust in the living God, who offers salvation to all humanity yet specially realizes it for those who believe. This verse affirms God's universal desire and provision for salvation through Christ, countering false ascetic teachings by portraying a benevolent Creator worth suffering for, while emphasizing faith as the means by which individuals particularly experience His saving work amid opposition.