All Means All (Except When it Doesn’t)

When small words lead to big confusion

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Paul Ellis // 0 Comments

When talking to people about universal salvation and inclusionism, I have noticed that a lot of energy is wasted because people can’t agree on the meaning of words. Consider the word “all.” It’s a little word that can lead to big arguments, because all means all…

…except when it doesn’t.

In Scripture, “all” can be interpreted at least five different ways depending on the context:

1. Sometimes all means “many people” but not literally every single person

Here are some examples:

Jesus said to the twelve, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake” (Matt. 10:22a, ESV).

In the temple courts, the Jews tried to create trouble for Paul by saying, “Men of Israel, listen. This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place” (Act 21:28a, NASB).

The disciples were persecuted by many and Paul preached to many, but not all.

2. Sometimes all means “not just the Jews but the Gentiles too”

Consider Simeon. He was one of the first to realize that Jesus was the Savior of both the Jews and the Gentiles:

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:30-32)

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul said something similar:

We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. (1 Tim. 4:10)

Paul was not saying that all people are saved. He was saying Jesus saves all who believe – both Jews and Gentiles. This was good news for Timothy, whose father was a Gentile.

3. Sometimes all means “all people of a specific group”

In Romans 4, Paul talks about believers who share the faith of Abraham, before adding that Abraham is the “father of us all” (Rom. 4:16).

Abraham is not literally the father of all people – he wasn’t the father of Adam or Adolf – but “he is the father of all who believe” (Rom. 4:11).

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Cor. 15:22)

Some interpret the words “all will be made alive” as meaning all humanity will be raised and saved. However, in the very next verse, Paul clarifies that those who are raised by Christ are only those who belong to him.

4. Sometimes all means “all are invited” (even though all may not come)

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).

Jesus draws all, but not all are drawn to him. Jesus invites everyone, but not everyone comes. Jesus is the light of the world, but some prefer the darkness.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (Tit. 2:11)

Salvation is offered to all, but not all receive it.

He came as a witness … so that through him all might believe… Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:7, 12)

Every single person who believes in the name of Jesus has the right to call themselves a child of God.

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Rom. 5:18-19)

When Adam walked away from God and aligned himself with the devil, he took the human race with him (Rom. 5:14). But through one act of righteousness Christ undid Adam’s transgression.

Does this mean all people are now saved and that humanity is righteous? No, for Paul says the gift that comes by grace overflows to the many (not all) and on account of the gift “many (not all) will be made righteous” (Rom 5:15, 19).

5. Sometimes, all means all people everywhere

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. (1 Tim 2:3-6)

God loves the whole world and he desires all to be saved. His love is universal and indiscriminate. He does not favor one group above another; he favors all. He favors you!

Occasionally, “all” means trouble

We can get into error when we build a theology on a single word like “all” or “world” or even “Savior.” As we have seen, even simple words can have multiple meanings depending on the context.

Rather than lifting one or two verses out of context and shouting “all means all,” how much better to engage with the Scripture itself and allow the Spirit of Truth to guide us back to the true message of the gospel.

Jesus died for all and God offers grace to all people. Forgiveness, freedom, life in abundance are given to us on account of Jesus. That is the good news of great joy that the angel said is for all people (Luke 2:10).

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