October
11th 1
Timothy 2
C. The Public Prayers of men & women
Being
a man & woman of prayer
1:
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2: For
kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3: For this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4: Who will have all
men to be saved, and to come unto 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: Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle,
(I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles
in faith and verity. 8: I will therefore that men pray every where,
lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9: In like manner
also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or
pearls, or costly array; 10: But (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works. 11: Let the woman learn in silence with
all subjection. 12: But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp
authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13: For Adam was first
formed, then Eve. 14: And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being
deceived was in the transgression. 15: Notwithstanding she shall be
saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and
holiness with sobriety.
Paul
encourages Timothy to instruct the believers to pray for all men and
in particular Kings and rulers and all those who are in authority
that they might be able to lead an undisturbed life, free from
persecution, in sound doctrine and decent living. This sort of
Christian living is good and acceptable to God our Saviour. (That is
Jesus Christ – an incidental proof of the deity of Christ) And
Christ wants every man to be saved and come to a knowledge of the
truth. (Paul states here that God wills that all men will be saved –
this verse is a blow to the Calvinist) Prayer for all men is
acceptable because God wills all men to be saved. Paul hints at the
double ministry – being ‘saved’ and ‘coming to a full
knowledge of the truth of the Apostles teaching’. The first is the
work of the evangelist and the second is the work of the
pastor/teacher. Paul excludes any other rival he says there is only
ONE GOD and one mediator between God and men – the MAN Christ
Jesus. The man who sits on the throne of heaven is our only recourse
to blessing. He is the only one who gave himself as a substitute for
all. (Another blow to the Calvinist) Christ gave himself for all men.
It is this truth that is the basis of the Gospel of God which would
be preached in due time. And says Paul l was appointed a herald, an
apostle (This is the honest truth in Christ – its no lie) a teacher
of the Gentiles in faith and truth. And so Timothy, says Paul, l want
men to pray lifting up holy hands to the Lord in humility and faith.
And in a similar way you women are to adorn yourselves in modest
clothing with humble self possession. Not in excessive plating’s or
with gold, pearls or expensive cloth. But the outward appearance
should be consistent with women who are inwardly worshipping the
Lord. Paul says let the women learn silently in subjection. Paul says
l will not allow a woman to publically teach the whole congregation
or to take a position of authority over the men of the church but to
be characterised by silence in these matters. Adam was the first to
be shaped from clay and secondly Eve. Adam was not deceived but Eve
was deceived and fell in sin with Adam. However she will be saved
even through her own offspring. You women are all to continue in
faith, love and holiness.
- How does Paul instruct Timothy to pray?
- How does Paul hint at a double ministry?
- How should men and women pray?
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