1 Timothy Chapter 2

1 Timothy 2:1-7 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, ⁷ for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

Paul urged the believers to pray for all those in authority, so that they could lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  The gospel is able to be preached and spread much more easily in times of peace.  Notice it says that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  This is what the apostle John meant in John 1:17 when he said that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  God wants us to be saved or born again.  He also wants us to know the truth about ourselves, that we are now the temple of God; the kingdom of God is within us when we are born again.  As we come to this knowledge, it will lead us to walk in holiness and love toward others.  It will also lead us into the proper attitude we should have in praying for people.

Jesus is the only mediator between God and men.  In the Old Testament, people were often used in the role of a mediator between God and men.  But under the New Testament, Jesus is the one and only mediator.  Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all people.  Our job is to share with them that Good News. 

 1 Timothy 2:8-15 “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; ⁹ in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, ¹⁰ but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. ¹¹ Let a woman (wife) learn in silence with all submission. ¹² And I do not permit a woman (wife) to teach or to have authority over a man (husband), but to be in silence. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. ¹⁵ Nevertheless she (the wife) will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.”

Notice Paul said we are to pray without wrath and doubting.  Paul is talking about leaving behind an Old Testament mindset of wrath caused by the Law.  He said we are to pray without doubting also.  This is a reference to not doubt in the free gift of righteousness that has been given to us in Christ Jesus.  When we pray with this mindset of grace for others, we will be praying in line with God’s will.

Paul also told the women that they should adorn themselves with a proper attitude in the marriage relationship with their husband and with good works.  This passage has been incorrectly used to say that a woman could not teach men.  But Paul refers to Adam and Eve; they were husband and wife.  So the reference is for a wife to not usurp authority over her husband in the marriage relationship.  Other passages of scripture in reference to marriage speak of mutual submission between a husband and wife. The reference to the woman being saved in child-bearing means that the heritage of the wife will be saved or preserved in bearing children in her marriage and seeing those children continue in the faith in a godly manner.

These were general, practical instructions for Timothy as a pastor to help lead and guide the believers in Ephesus.

 Keith Oliver