Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Timothy 2:6

"who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony [to be borne] in its own times;" — 1 Timothy 2:6 (ASV)

Who gave himself a ransom for all. This is also stated as a reason why prayer should be offered for all, and as proof that God desires the salvation of all. The argument is that since Christ died for all, it is proper to pray for all; and the fact that he died for all is proof that God desired the salvation of all. Whatever proof of his desire for their salvation can be derived from this, in relation to any of the race, is proof in relation to all. For the meaning of the phrase "he gave himself a ransom," see the comments on Matthew 20:28 and Romans 3:26.

On the fact that it was for "all," see the comments on 2 Corinthians 5:14.

To be testified in due time. The marginal reading is "a testimony." The Greek is, "the testimony in its own times," or "in proper times"—to marturion kairois idiois. There have been very different explanations of this phrase. The common interpretation, which seems correct to me, is that "the testimony of this will be provided in the proper time; that is, in the proper time it will be made known throughout all the world." See Rosenmuller.

Paul affirms it as a great and important truth that Christ gave himself a ransom for all humankind—for Jews and Gentiles, for all classes and conditions of people alike. This truth had not always been understood. The Jews had supposed that salvation was designed exclusively for their nation, and denied that it could be extended to others unless they became Jews.

According to them, salvation was not provided for or offered to heathens as such, but only on condition that they became Jews. In opposition to this, Paul says that it was a doctrine of revelation that redemption was to be provided for all people, and that it was intended that the testimony to this should be given at the proper time. It was not fully made known under the ancient dispensation, but now the period had come when it should be communicated to all. See the comments on Romans 5:6 and Galatians 4:4.