1 Timothy 2:1-7

II. PUBLIC WORSHIP 2:1-15

1.

PRAYER 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Text 2:1-7

1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; 2 for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil life in all godliness and gravity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all: the testimony to be borne in its own times; 7 whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Thought Questions 2:1-7

41.

The word therefore in 1 Timothy 2:1 connects 1 Timothy 2:1-15 :1 Timothy 2:1-7 with those proceeding; show the connection.

42.

How is the word first to be understood? Is Paul giving instructions for the pastoral prayer?

43.

Define each of the four words relating to prayer and show their inter-relation.

44.

Why mention: kings, and all that are in high place?

45.

Are we to understand from Paul's admonition that our praying is going to affect the decisions of State? How? Why?

46.

Define the difference in the use of the word quiet and the use of the word tranquil. God, our Saviour, is most pleased when we pray after the order here prescribed; why?

47.

If God wants all men saved why doesn-'t He save them?

48.

There are four arguments for universal prayer. These arguments are found in 1 Timothy 2:5-7. See if you can define them.

49.

Why mention the humanity of Christ Jesus as in 1 Timothy 2:5?

50.

What is the meaning of the expression ransom for all?

51.

What is the testimony, of 1 Timothy 2:6?

52.

Unto what was Paul appointed?

Paraphrase 2:1-7

1 Now I exhort, first of all, that in the public assemblies, deprecations of evils, and supplications for such good things as are necessary, and intercessions for their conversion, and thanksgiving for mercies, be offered in behalf of all men, for heathens as well as for Christians, and for enemies as well as for friends;
2 But especially for kings, and all who have authority in the state, by whatever name they may be called, that, finding us good subjects, we may be suffered to lead an undisturbed and peaceable life, while we worship the only true God, and honestly perform every civil and social duty.
3 For this, that we pray for all men, and especially for rulers, although they be heathens, is good for ourselves, and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.
4 Who commandeth all men to be saved from heathenism ignorance and Jewish prejudices, and to come to the knowledge of the truth, that is, of the gospel, through the preaching of the word.
5 For there is one God, the maker, benefactor, and governor of all, and one Mediator between God and men; consequently, all are equally the objects of God's care: This Mediator is the man Christ Jesus.
6 Who voluntarily (John x. 18.) gave himself a ransom not for the Jews only, but for all. Of which doctrine the publication and proof is now made in its proper season; so that, since Christ gave himself for all, it is certainly the will of God that we should pray for all.
7 For the bearing of which testimony concerning the benevolence of God towards all men, and concerning Christ's giving himself a ransom for all, I was appointed an herald, or messenger of peace, and an apostle divinely inspired, (I call Christ to witness that I speak the truth and lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth; that is, in the true faith of the gospel.

Comment 2:1-7

1 Timothy 2:1. The use of he word exhort indicates something far stronger than just a suggestion. Paul wants these instructions carried out to the letter, as well as in the spirit in which they were given. Notice the word, therefore; Paul is saying: upon the basis of what has been said in chapter one, primary in importance is the proper attitude in public worship, particularly in prayer, When Timothy, or any one of the church leaders prayed in public, here are the instructions as to attitude and requests,

The four words here used each have a different meaning and application; however, there is much overlapping in application or use. Supplications are those expressions in prayer that relate to the deepest needs of the heart; such needs are far more personal than those expressed by prayers. General requests are covered in the second word. Please do not fail to associate such praying with the object: all men, Intercessions is not as specific here as we usually think of it. Here the thought is much more one of pleading on behalf of others, than acting in the official capacity as a mediator. How very negligent we are in the area of thanksgiving in prayer. Just what is it about all men that would be a cause for thanksgiving? To ask such a question is an indication of our need for such an exhortation.
Are we to pray for sinners? This verse should forever settle that question. If we would exercise these four elements in prayer for all men we would indeed be praying for sinners; and doing it just like God intended.

1 Timothy 2:2. All men is generic; kings, and all that are in high place are some of the specific men for whom we should pray.

Why pray for these men? Because it will effect certain changes in them and their administration that would not otherwise prevail. God is still ruling in the affairs of men. It is still God who raises up and casts down the rulers of this nation and word. God does not operate on man's schedulebut He acts in answer to the prayers prayed like Daniel of old did (Cf. Daniel 6:10). Not only so, but the very attitude necessary to pray after this manner, would help the one praying to be able to lead a quiet and tranquil life in all godliness and gravity. Such will be true in any society at any time. Tranquil refers to the outward calm, Quiet refers to the inward condition of the one praying.

When God answers our prayers we should show our gratitude by living a life pleasing to God,

1 Timothy 2:3. The expression good is to be thought of in the same sense as the use of the word good when God looked upon His creation and said it is good; i.e., a pleasure to the All-Mighty. Because God is a Saviour for all men, it is most acceptable to Him that we pray for the salvation of all men.

1 Timothy 2:4. The thought begun in 1 Timothy 2:3 is completed in 1 Timothy 2:4. Such praying is admirable in God's sight because He wants all men to be saved, or come to an acknowledgment of the truth.

God has made provision for the salvation of all men. He loves all men. He has commissioned that the good news be preached to all men; therefore it is with satisfaction that He hears prayers ascending on behalf of all men. We like the distinction made by Homer Kent in the use of the verbs:

Furthermore, God wishes all men to be saved. The verb thelo is employed which denotes a desire springing out of the emotions or inclinations, rather than out of deliberation boulomia. Hence this is a reference to God's moral will which applies to all men. However, this moral will of God may fail, and often does. Men sin, although God does not want them to. Consequently, if men are lost, it is because they opposed God's will which gave His Son to save them. This does not teach universalism, for God does not violate man's opportunity to choose. The passive voice of the infinite sothenai (to be saved) may be suggestive. God wishes all men to be saved, that is, to experience salvation through the appointed channel of personal faith in Christ. If the text had used the active voice, Wishes to save all men, one would wonder why God does not then do so. (Ibid., p. 103)

1 Timothy 2:5. We like the thought that in 1 Timothy 2:5-7 we have four arguments in favor of praying for all men: (1) The unity of GodThere is one God; (2) The unity of the Mediator,and one mediator; (3) The availability of the ransom,who gave himself a ransom for all; (4) The commission to the Gentiles1 Timothy 2:7. (For this we are indebted to Homer Kent). If there is only one God (and we know there is), if there is only one Mediator (and we are sure of this), and they were provided for all menhow could we be exclusive in our concern and prayers?

1 Timothy 2:6. Christ is not only the one Mediator but also the one payment for man's soul. God has given His Son as an exchange for all men.

The act of His giving Himself as a ransom price on behalf of man, relates directly to His worthiness to be the universal Mediator. We like the thought that there must have been one who was both God and man in order to be a Mediator. Only this one could meet the great kidnapper's ransom price; it was the God-Man Christ Jesus!
The expression: the testimony to be borne in its own times is not easy of understanding; the question is: what is to be the content of the testimony?

We prefer the thought this phrase compares very favorably with Galatians 4:4 and has reference to the fulness of time when God sent forth His Son, He was to be the one mediator; the one ransom. It is now time to give this testimony or good news.

1 Timothy 2:7. The fourth and last reason for universal prayer on behalf of all men is found in the commission our Lord gave to Paul. If Christ sent Paul to preach to the Gentiles, (as he did Peter to the Jews), then surely we should pray for these objects of God's concern and subjects of Paul's work.

The descriptive words: preacher, apostle, teacher, in faith and truth, indicate his task. He was one sent to herald forth; in so doing to teach all. This was to be done in faith, with the truth.

Fact Questions 2:1-7

26.

In what sense is the expression First of all used?

27.

Please define the terms: supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings as here used.

28.

In what particulars are we to pray for all men?

29.

What is the difference, if any, from a tranquil life, and a quiet life?

30.

Show the distinction in the use of the terms: godliness and gravity,

31.

What is good and acceptable with God?

32.

In what sense does God will that all men be saved?

33.

Are being saved, and coming to the knowledge of the truth, two different experiences?

34.

How does the thought of the oneness of God relate to the context?

35.

Show the contextual connection of the One Mediator.

36.

What is the testimony to be bourne in its own times?

37.

Unto what was Paul appointed a preacher and an apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth?

Text 2:8-15

2.

MEN AND WOMEN IN WORSHIP 8-15