The interpretation timeline

1Tim 4:10

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

7 Patristic · 1 Orthodox · 1 Catholic

1Tim 4:10 · Douay-Rheims
“For therefore we labor and are reviled, because we hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of the faithful.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
108
A.D.
Ignatius of Antioch Patristic
c. A.D. 50–107
“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."”
Source
215
A.D.
Clement of Alexandria Patristic
c. A.D. 150–215
“And to speak comprehensively, all benefit appertaining to life, in its highest reason, proceeding from the Sovereign God, the Father who is over all, is consummated by the Son, who also on this account "is the Saviour of all men," says the apostle, "but especially of those who believe." But in respect of its immediate reason, it is from those next to each, in accordance with the command and injunction of Him who is nearest the First Cause, that is, the Lord.”
Source
220
A.D.
Tertullian Patristic
c. A.D. 150–220
“"But," say they, "God is `good, 'and `most good, ' and `pitiful-hearted, 'and `a pitier, 'and `abundant in pitiful-heartedness, ' which He holds `dearer than all sacrifice, ' `not thinking the sinner's death of so much worth as his repentance', `a Saviour of all men, most of all of believers.' And so it will be becoming for `the sons of God' too to be `pitiful-hearted' and `peacemakers; ' `giving in their turn just as Christ withal hath given to us; ' `not judging, that we be not judged.”
Source
254
A.D.
Origen Patristic
c. A.D. 184–253
“Our reply to this is that he attributes to us statements which we do not make. For we both read and know that God "loves everything that exists and hates nothing that he has made; for he would never have made anything if he had hated it." … He is also called "Savior of all men, especially of those who believe," and his Christ is "a propitiation for our sins, but not for ours only, but also for the whole world." … But now, according to our preaching, Jesus who is called the Christ of God by a certain traditional usage in the Bible has come on behalf of sinners in all places, that they may forsake their sin and entrust themselves to God.”
Source
395
A.D.
Gregory of Nyssa Patristic
c. A.D. 335–395
“The Savior of all, especially of believers, is spoken of by the apostle as one. Yet no one argues from this expression that the Son does not save believers or that those who share in salvation receive it apart from the Spirit. But God who is over all is the Savior of all, while the Son brings salvation to effect by the grace of the Spirit. Yet on this account Scripture does not call them three Saviors, although salvation is recognized to come from the holy Trinity.”
Source
407
A.D.
John Chrysostom Patristic
A.D. 347–407
“"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? But if God is here the Saviour of the unbelieving, much more is He of the faithful hereafter. What salvation does he speak of? That to come? "Who is the Saviour," he says, "of all men, specially of them that believe." At present he is speaking of that which is here. But how is He the Saviour of the faithful? Had he not been so, they must long since have been destroyed, for all men have made war upon them. He calls him here to endure perils, that having God for his Saviour he may not faint nor need any aid from others, but willingly and with fortitude endure all things. Even those who eagerly grasp at worldly advantages, supported by the hope of gain, cheerfully undertake laborious enterprises.”
Source
430
A.D.
Augustine of Hippo Patristic
A.D. 354–430
“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.”
Source
696 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1126
A.D.
Theophylact of Ohrid Orthodox
c. 1055–1107
“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. That is, He wants to save all—both here and there. But He applies greater care here for the faithful. If He were not their Savior, how would they have stood against all attacks? By this the apostle urges Timothy to endure dangers. Do not lose heart, he says, having such a God, and do not ask for help from others, but hope in Him: God is living and He is the Savior.”
Source
1274
A.D.
Thomas Aquinas Catholic
1225–1274
“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.”
Source
Undated date unknown
Apostolic Constitutions
c. A.D. 380
“We also, following our teacher Christ, "who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe." are obliged to say that there are two ways. One is the way of life, the other of death. These have no comparison one with another, for they are very different, or rather entirely separate. The way of life is that of nature, but that of death was afterwards introduced—it not being according to the mind of God but from the snares of the adversary.”
Source
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.