Chapter 2
Of First Importance: Pray
2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
Paul is not starting a list or making a reference of something happening first, he is referring to what is of first importance. Similar to what he wrote regarding the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (ESV) Paul focuses on the need for all believers to pray.
In this verse Paul categorizes four types of prayer, but before we look at them individually, note who believers are to pray for…EVERYONE! Let that sink in for awhile. Here is a quick overview of the four types:
Supplications
Greek deēseis, to make known one’s particular need. This is the ‘ask for something specific’ prayer. This is undoubtedly the most common type of prayer as it can be for oneself or on behalf of someone else.
Prayers
Greek proseuchas, to offer a prayer. Perhaps best understood as a generic reference to offering a prayer. This more pertains to the act of prayer rather than the content of the prayer.
Intercessions
Greek enteuxeis, coming together, speak on behalf of others. Intercessory prayer is often the result of feeling a need to ‘lift up’ a person in prayer. I believe that ‘feeling’ comes from the Holy Spirit. The prayer can range from a quick, “oh Lord, be with that person,” to a “on-your-knees plea” for someone’s life. We just need to be obedient.
Thanksgiving
Greek eucharistias, refers to the giving of gratitude. Regardless of our condition, situation, or position in life, we owe the author of life heartfelt thanks. Every prayer should acknowledge who God is and since we know that He is listening, we should also thank Him for answering our prayers even before He responds. I like what John MacArthur wrote regarding this verse, “Thanksgiving is the only element of prayer that will continue forever.”[1]
The practical application of each type of prayer for all people would require knowing them well enough to offer prayer and to take the time to pray for them. Is Paul asking Timothy (or us readers) to pray for every person in the world? No, but he is saying that we should not reserve prayer for only those we know or love, we need to be prepared to pray for anyone at any time.
There are no proper methods, postures, or any other requirements needed for God to hear our prayers. They can be silently offered in our thoughts or stated out loud, God does not respond differently based on method, style, or loudness. But now with that said, there is one thing that will make a difference, your heart must be aligned with your words. For example, if you pray from memory without thinking what the words mean (by rote) the heart is likely not following. Take the time and earnestly talk to God just as you would talk to a friend. Remember, Jesus gave us a model to follow when praying (see Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4, see also Matthew 6:5-15).
2:2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul specifically identifies the need to pray for leaders of nations so that people will be able to enjoy a peaceful and quiet life, godly (devoted to God) and dignified (nothing outrageous) in every way. While the ‘we’ in verse two implies praying for our own nations, the need to lift up in prayer of leaders, kings, presidents, prime ministers, etc. of other nations should not be ruled out, especially today as international conflicts are in the news nearly everyday.
Paul continues by noting that praying for these leaders is good and pleasing to God and that pleasing Him should be enough to motivate us to pray. But then Pauls adds that God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (accepting the gospel message). We not only see a fundamental truth about God, but perhaps one that gives Him great pleasure, He wants everyone to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Savior. Peter wrote a similar passage in his second epistle, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, ESV) God has no limitations, He wants all to join Him in eternity, but it remains our choice and many will refuse. But wait! What does that fact have to do with praying for leaders of nations? All prayer should have evangelical roots, especially prayers for those in authority. For example a prayer for a world leader would include a request that they would come under the authority of Jesus and make God-directed decisions that would include allowing the gospel message to advance.
But why pray to God? Why pray that God’s will be done? Doesn't He already know what we are going to pray about? So what’s the point? These are questions often asked by people, believers, and unbelievers alike. The first question is that there is only one God, praying to anyone else would not only be counterproductive, it may serve you into the hands of God’s enemy, that being Satan. To answer the second question, when we pray for His will to be done that effectively puts our hand in His hand trusting that He knows what is best. We pray because God wants us to (see Mathew 6:5-15; 7:7-11; 21:21-22; Luke 11:2-4; 18:1; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7; James 1:5; 4:2; 5:16-18; 1 John 5:14-15), it is His way of enlisting us to be active participants in His work.
2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Paul verifies that there is only one God, to whom we owe everything to, He is our creator, we should trust Him to determine what’s best for us. But due to sin separating us from Him, He sent His Son as a ransom (the price for redemption, see Matthew 20:28; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19) for all and became our one and only mediator between God and man. So we pray to God the Father through Jesus our intercessor. Note that Paul refers to Jesus being a man, some believe He became human at His birth and later reverted back to some spiritual form in heaven. Pastor and commentator David Guzik explains regarding Paul's comment “the man Christ Jesus.”
This reminds us that Jesus is still human, even as He is enthroned in heaven right now. His humanity was not merely a temporary phase. When the Eternal Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, added humanity to His deity, He added it forever—not only for 33 years. Jesus is still fully God and fully man, but His humanity is glorified and resurrected. It is the pattern of the humanity that we will experience in heaven.[2]
Paul adds that, “This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.” (1 Timothy 2:6b, NLT) A statement given to assure us that there was nothing arbitrary in God’s plan for our salvation, it was planned from before time began and occurred exactly when it was planned (see also Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:15; Titus 1:3). Once again Paul states his commission from God, that he was appointed as a preacher and as an apostle to be a teacher to the Gentiles (non-Jews) in faith and truth, namely the gospel message. It is interesting to note that in the middle of this recap he inserts the proclamation that he is telling the truth and was not lying, which Timothy undoubtedly already knew. Many have speculated that it is likely he wanted to underscore and emphasize that their primary mission was to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, others point out that he may have struggled over that assignment (see Romans 9:1-5).
2:8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
Paul, using his apostolic authority begins to list several ‘protocols’ he desires to be observed, starting with men praying in public that they should lift their hands without anger or quarreling. Sadly, many Christian groups and churches today frown on the raising of hands during praise and prayer, perhaps this animosity has its roots back to the early church. At this time most gatherings of believers were either at the local synagogue (when allowed, many considered the belief in Jesus to be another sect of Judaism) or in private homes. The earliest known building constructed for the purpose to hold assemblies for a church to use is believed to be around 300 AD, over 200 years after this epistle was written.
While Speaking of Decorum
2:9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
Paul then turns to the women and tells them that they should dress and adorn themselves modestly. Besides looking respectable, they are to behave and profess godliness, quietly, and be willing to do good works.
2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
As anyone could guess, these verses are highly controversial. Using the rationale that Adam was created first and that he was not the one that was deceived by the serpent (Satan, see Genesis 3:1-7; Revelation 20: 2), that was the woman, Eve, Paul states that women are not to teach or exercise authority over man (see Genesis 3:16). They are to remain quiet. In two other epistles Paul instructs wives to be submissive to their husbands (see Colossians 3:18-4:1; Ephesians 5:22-24). For many people the word ‘submit’ almost immediately invokes a negative emotional response, especially if it means that someone is required to submit to another. The negative aspect of submit seems to come from the idea that a person loses their “right” to control their own life. Christians should think differently as we certainly don’t view Jesus submitting to His Father as being something bad. We read in the Bible that Jesus submits to God the Father, Christian men are to submit to Jesus, Christian women are to submit to Christian men, and children are to submit to their parents, that’s the God-given order that we see in the New Testament. Paul now extends that to include educational instruction.
Paul notes that Eve was the transgressor, one who disobeyed God’s command to not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (see Genesis 2:16-17; 3:6, 13) making her the first human sinner. Paul then writes something that many call the most difficult to understand verse in the Bible: “Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” (1 Timothy 2:15, ESV) Theologians have interpreted this verse in a variety of ways, some being extreme such as Eve was saved by giving birth to children or that all women can only be saved if they bear children. This is not what the Bible teaches. Although given pain during childbirth for being the first to sin, women were also given the privilege of child rearing that apparently counters any disgrace for that sin (the Bible accuses and holds Adam responsible for the introduction of sin and death, not Eve, see Genesis 3:17-19; Hosea 6:7; Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22). Paul adds that as women (and especially as mothers), they are to continue in faith, love, holiness, and self-control, which points to being a follower of Jesus (see also Galatians 5:22-23). Sin brought death, but God gave humanity a way to propagate through childbearing.
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[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 1 Timothy (p. 62). Moody Press.
[2] Guzik, D. (2013). 1 Timothy (1 Ti 2:5–7). David Guzik.