1 Timothy 2
September 23
Reading: 1 Timothy 2
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 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.
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.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 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. 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.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 is important to understanding Paul’s view of the task of the church of Jesus Christ. We are to pray for everyone, especially leaders (even ungodly ones), live a godly life, and share the gospel with every person. Verse 4 makes it clear that there is no kind of person whom the Lord is not interested in saving, though this does not mean that every person will be saved.
Paul then applies this thinking to his own ministry in verses 5-7. He is a gospel preacher, not a political activist. Jesus intentionally avoided political activism. The great need to which Paul has been sent is the need of all people for a mediator between themselves and God. Without this we all pay our own sin price and go to hell.
This does not mean that God calls no believer to political activism. William Wilberforce was used mightily of God in the British Parliament. Esther was used by God to rescue the Hebrew people. But Paul is writing to a pastor of a church. Timothy’s calling, and the central mission of the church is to preach the gospel and live out the life of Christ on earth.
Verses 8-10 illustrate proper behavior within the church, prayer and good works, rather than arguing and drawing attention to oneself. It is critical to understand that the focus of this chapter is Paul’s teaching that all are to lead a quiet and respectful life where God has put them.
Verses 11-15 constitute one of the most difficult passages for the modern Christian. It is difficult not because it is unclear, but because our culture is so far removed from Paul’s practice. One might like to say that what Paul is telling Timothy is culturally bound and therefore not applicable in modern times. But, alas, he makes his argument from the created order (vs. 13) Verse 14 is no exoneration of Adam. Quite the contrary. Adam was not deceived and therefore knew precisely what he was doing when he sinned. But Paul’s point is inescapable. Eve was leading Adam and that led to problems. Women should not be authoritatively instructing men in the body of Christ. This is not because men are better teachers. It is because God has reserved the role of exercising authority, under the direction of Christ, and preaching in the church for men, and the role of bearing children for women. See also 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, 14:34-36, and 1 Peter 3:1-6.