1 Timothy 2:1-10

Rallying The Troops. Paul’s Exhortation To The Men And Women Of The Church To Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-10 ).

Having called Timothy to war the good warfare, while ensuring that he maintained faith and a good conscience, and having given examples of those who had not, Paul now calls on all the men and women in the church to join in that warfare. And they are to do that first by praying for all in authority, praying that they would govern wisely and justly so that all Christians may be able to lead a tranquil and quiet life in godliness and all seriousness of purpose. For this will then lead on to the progress of the Gospel which will be pleasing to God Who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

And he stresses that there is only one truth which offers salvation, and that is that there is One God, and one Mediator between Himself and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all, in a once and for all action, although testimony to it would be borne to it at the right times. This indeed was why he, Paul, was appointed as a preacher and Apostle, bringing faith and truth to the Gentiles. So in view of this all Christians in every place where Christians meet are to pray genuinely in total unity of spirit, ensuring that their hands are holy (unstained by sin and sanctified to God), and their manner of dress modest (for the same reason), and that there is no anger or dissension in their hearts.

Note the continued emphasis on ‘all’ and Paul’s emphasis that he was appointed as the Apostle of the Gentiles (1 Timothy 2:7). This would serve to confirm the Jewish nature of the false teaching being combated by Timothy.

Analysis.

a I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men, for kings and all that are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

b This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

c For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony to be borne in its own times (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

b To which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth (1 Timothy 2:7).

a I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. In the same way that women adorn themselves -- through good works (1 Timothy 2:8-10).

Note that in ‘a’ Paul seeks for prayer for all in authority for peace and tranquillity so as to aid the spread of the Gospel, and in the parallel he seeks prayer from all men and women in the church, offered from a pure heart and spirit, with pure hands, or in modest apparel with good works, ensuring peace and tranquillity in the whole body of Christ. In ‘b’ he declares God’s desire that all levels of men and women, from the highest to the lowest, may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, and in the parallel he declares that that was why he was made a preacher, Apostle and teacher to the Gentiles (‘to the Gentiles’ being so that people of all kinds may be saved), himself operating in faith and in truth. Centrally in ‘c’ he reiterates the Gospel message (1 Timothy 1:15) in a slightly different form.