For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
Therefore, х eis (G1519) touto (G5124)] - 'with a view to this.' The reason why 'we both ("both" is omitted in 'Aleph (') A C Delta f, Vulgate) labour (amidst hardship) and suffer reproach (so C Delta G f g, Vulgate. But 'Aleph (') A read [agonizometha] (cf. Colossians 1:29) "strive"), is because we have rested, and do rest our hope [elpikamen epi], on the living (and therefore life-giving 1 Timothy 4:8) God.' [Ellicott, 'Elpizo, like pisteuoo (G4100), with en (G1722), expresses hope laid up in Christ: with eis (G1519), directed to Christ: with epi (G1909), leaning on, as upon a foundation: epi with accusative, mental direction with a view to reliance.']
Specially of those that believe. Their "labour and reproach" are not inconsistent with having from the living Specially of those that believe. Their "labour and reproach" are not inconsistent with having from the living God, their Saviour, even the present life, much more the life to come. If God is a "Saviour" even of unbelievers (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:1-20:e., is willing to be so everlastingly, and is temporally here their Preserver and Benefactor), much more of believers. So His people are to benefit all, but "specially" the brethren (Galatians 6:10). He who is the living, is also the loving God. He is the Saviour of all sufficiently and potentially (1 Timothy 1:15); of believers alone efficiently and effectually.