References to 1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9; Mt 18:14 in the current Catechism of the Catholic Church

 References to 1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9; Mt 18:14 in the current Catechism of the Catholic Church

In what follows I present the paragraphs of the current Catechism of the Catholic Church that quote three New Testament passages that seem to teach that the universal salvific will of God is universal: 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9 and Matthew 18:14. The Catechism seems to indeed interpret these passages as suggesting that the salvific will of God is universal. 

Source: https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/1%20Tim%202:4;%202%20Pet%203:9;%20Mt%2018:14

Prologue: “"FATHER, ... this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."1 "God our Savior desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."2 "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved"3 - than the name of JESUS. 

1. Jn 17:3.

2. 1 Tim 2:3-4.

3. Acts 4:12.”

“74 God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth":29 that is, of Christ Jesus.30 Christ must be proclaimed to all nations and individuals, so that this revelation may reach to the ends of the earth:God graciously arranged that the things he had once revealed for the salvation of all peoples should remain in their entirety, throughout the ages, and be transmitted to all generations.31

29. 1 Tim 2:4.

30. cf. Jn 14:6.

31.DV 7; cf. 2 Cor 1:20; 3:16-4:6.”

“605 At the end of the parable of the lost sheep Jesus recalled that God's love excludes no one: "So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."410 He affirms that he came "to give his life as a ransom for many"; this last term is not restrictive, but contrasts the whole of humanity with the unique person of the redeemer who hands himself over to save us.411 The Church, following the apostles, teaches that Christ died for all men without exception: "There is not, never has been, and never will be a single human being for whom Christ did not suffer."412

410. Mt 18:14.

411. Mt 20:28; cf. Rom 5:18-19.

412. Council of Quiercy (853): DS 624; cf. 2 Cor 5:15; 1 Jn 2:2.”

“851 Missionary motivation. It is from God's love for all men that the Church in every age receives both the obligation and the vigor of her missionary dynamism, "for the love of Christ urges us on."343 Indeed, God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth";344 that is, God wills the salvation of everyone through the knowledge of the truth. Salvation is found in the truth. Those who obey the prompting of the Spirit of truth are already on the way of salvation. But the Church, to whom this truth has been entrusted, must go out to meet their desire, so as to bring them the truth. Because she believes in God's universal plan of salvation, the Church must be missionary.

343. 2 Cor 5:14; cf. AA 6; RMiss 11.

344. 1 Tim 2:4.”

“1037 God predestines no one to go to hell;620 for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want "any to perish, but all to come to repentance":621Father, accept this offering

from your whole family.

Grant us your peace in this life,

save us from final damnation,

and count us among those you have chosen.622

620. Cf. Council of Orange II (529):DS 397; Council of Trent (1547):1567.

621. 2 Pet 3:9.

622. Roman Missal, EP I (Roman Canon) 88.”

“1058 The Church prays that no one should be lost: "Lord, let me never be parted from you." If it is true that no one can save himself, it is also true that God "desires all men to be saved" (1 Tim 2:4), and that for him "all things are possible" (Mt 19:26).

Part 2: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery (1066 - 1690)

Section 2: The Seven Sacraments of the Church (1210 - 1690)

Chapter 1: The Sacraments of Christian Initiation (1212 - 1419)

Article 1: The Sacrament of Baptism (1213 - 1284)”

“1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon.57 In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize58 , by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.59

57. Cf. CIC, can. 861 § 1; CCEO, can. 677 § 1.

58. CIC, can. 861.2.

59. Cf. 1 Tim 2:4.”

“1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,"64 allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.

64. Mk 10:14; cf. 1 Tim 2:4.”

“1821 We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will.92 In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere "to the end"93 and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God's eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ. In hope, the Church prays for "all men to be saved."94 She longs to be united with Christ, her Bridegroom, in the glory of heaven:Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one. Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end.95

92. Cf. Rom 8:28-30; Mt 7:21.

93. Mt 10:22; cf. Council of Trent: DS 1541.

94. 1 Tim 2:4.

95. St. Teresa of Avila, Excl. 15:3.”

“2822 Our Father "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."95 He "is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish."96 His commandment is "that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."97 This commandment summarizes all the others and expresses his entire will.

95. 1 Tim 2:3-4.

96. 2 Pet 3:9; cf. Mt 18:14.

97. Jn 13:34; cf. 1 Jn 3; 4; Lk 10:25-37.”

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