1 Timothy 2
-Paul’s instruction for the young pastor here in chapter two
begins with prayer. Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings
should be made for all people, not just church folks, not just people we like,
but ALL people saved and lost. Pray for king and rulers in authority that they
may lead quiet and peaceful lives, Godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy
2:1-3). Praying like is good in the sight of the Lord who desires ALL people to
be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (a proof against double
predestination, God has a general call on everyone’s life, 1 Timothy 2:4). Paul
gets theological for a moment and announces the oneness of the Godhead with the
mediator Jesus Christ who gave Himself for ALL as a testimony at the proper
time (1 Timothy 2:5-6). For this Paul was made an apostle and preacher to the
Gentiles in faith and truth (1 Timothy 2:7). *Application* God’s will for us is
that we be inclusive rather than exclusive. He personally welcomes ALL His
creation into relationship and desperately wants us to be joined to Him. This
recognition of His great and awesome love should not only inspire our devotion
to Him because of His mercy and gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ on
the basis of faith, but it should motivate our attitude and witness towards
others, even those we don’t naturally care for or think could ever become a
part of His Kingdom. Have complete love for your neighbor and lift them up to
the Father for a better existence in Him.
-Paul desires unity in prayer as evidenced by verse eight of
chapter two. We should pray lifting holy (not profane) hands without anger,
dissension, or quarreling. The women are to adorn themselves properly in
modesty and with respect using self-control. He lists braided hair, gold,
pearls, and costly attire as considerations to avoid when coming to worship the
Lord corporately. This is Paul’s desire, which should be taken not as
regulations, but as sensible and practical advice for coming before the Lord
publically. *Application* The issue here is on who we want to draw attention
to. Is it the Lord or ourselves? Lest we think this is just an issue of
thousands of years ago, let me offer a modern day example. Led Zeppelin, the classic
rock band, writes this in a song called “Hey, Hey, What Can I Do” concerning a
woman who can’t stay true.
“Sunday morning when we go down to church
See the menfolk standin' in line
Said they come to pray to the Lord
But my little girl, looks so fine”
See the menfolk standin' in line
Said they come to pray to the Lord
But my little girl, looks so fine”
The eyes of men are still fleshly and women need to adorn
themselves properly in the Lord’s House with modesty and discreetness, not
drawing attention to themselves.
-Paul then goes into what is proper for a woman in the
church. She is to profess godliness with good works (1 Timothy 2:10). She is to
learn quietly with all submissiveness, not teaching or exercising biblical authority
over a man (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Paul has reservations about this issue because
of Eve’s deception in the garden, and promotes the woman’s salvation through
childbearing, continuing in faith, love, holiness, and self-control, which are
all fruits of the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 2:13-15). *Application* Obviously we
have to interpret Scripture with Scripture here and see what the apostle means
in totality. In other places Paul has expectations that women will pray,
prophesy, and communicate in the public arena of corporate worship (1
Corinthians 11:4). What I believe Paul is getting at here is the issue of
headship and submission to authority. This should be clearly evident from the text.
This prevents the Jezebel spirit of control from coming in and destroying the
order of God’s House with idolatry and pagan forms of worship that are seductive
taking the focus off of the LORD. The context seems to indicate that this is
the main issue. Women tend to talk more naturally than men and this can become
a problem in the church when they want to take over and take control of the
order of service or run the program. As long as they are submissive to the God
ordained authorities in the church which are male as we will see as the letter continues
(1 Timothy 3:2, 12), they should have no problems or issues with communication
in the corporate setting. In short, we can see that it is the will of God that
He be the center of attention rather than any human form.
Verses to Memorize- 1
Timothy 2:3-4
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