Has God's saving grace appeared to all people, even those who never heard the gospel?
Yes. Scripture teaches that God's grace which brings salvation has appeared to all men, and Christ is the light that enlightens every person coming into the world. Even those who never heard the gospel remain responsible and without excuse, because God's power is manifested to them; they could have known but did not choose to.
Les explains that Titus 2:11 declares the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men, and John 1:9 says Christ is the light that lights every man coming into the world. He ties this to Paul's statement that God's power is manifested in them so they are without excuse. Les admits it is hard to comprehend, and he thinks of people in the jungles of South America who seem never to have heard the Gospel; yet they are responsible. They will come before the great white throne lost and without excuse, while God remains absolutely fair and just. The only reason they did not know is that they did not choose to.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
What about people who have never heard the gospel—have they received any light from God?
Scripture teaches that the true Light—Jesus Christ—enlightens every man, so even those who have never heard the gospel have received light from God. They possess a certain amount of knowledge. The exact means is not explained, but the book says they have received the light.
Who has the grace of God that brings salvation appeared to?
Paul writes in Titus 2:11 that the grace of God bringing salvation has appeared to all men. The verb is past tense, meaning it has already been accomplished. Scripture does not lie; through the Holy Spirit this grace has appeared to every human being in one way or another.
More Questions
To whom has the grace of God appeared?
Les explains that Titus 2:11 declares the grace of God has appeared to all men, bringing salvation. He emphasizes that this grace is a recurring theme throughout Paul's epistles—you cannot run away from it. Les also shares how a visiting teacher, Dr. Nordland, taught these verses (Titus 2:11–15) during a cold week in Iowa, and much of what Les teaches today he remembers from that time. The context stresses that believers are not miserable but have hope because of this grace.
According to Titus 2:11, has God's saving grace appeared to all people?
Titus 2:11 says God's grace that brings salvation has already appeared to all men, so no one will ever be able to say to the Lord, 'I never heard.'
Why could Paul write that saving grace had already appeared to all men in Titus 2:11?
Because the converted Roman guards carried the Gospel from Paul to the ends of the earth, Paul could truthfully say to Titus that God's saving grace had already appeared to all men.