Lesson 3
1 Timothy 2: 1-15, instruction on prayers, world evangelism, and Christian conduct
VV 1-4, 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Prayers should be offered for all people, including kings and leaders in authority so that there will be peace, reverence for God, and godliness in the community. There are four kinds of prayers, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving. Greek for supplication is “enteuxis”, which means a specific request concerning a person’s own needs. Greek for prayer is “proseuchomai”, which means a general request. Greek for intercession is “entygchano”, whichmeans a specific request concerning the needs of others. Greek for thanksgiving is “eucharistia”, which means gratitude. God desires world evangelism and salvation for all people.
VV 5-7, 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle, I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
There is one God and Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and people. On the cross of Calvary, Christ had removed the wall that separated God from people. We can come to God with boldness and confidence through the blood of Christ and in the name of Christ. We do not need to go before a human high priest to confess our sins.
Greek for ransom is”lutron”, which means a payment to procure freedom for a slave. Christ gave Himself as payment to procure our freedom from slavery to sin by dying on the cross as the perfect Lamb of God. Paul preached and taught the truth of the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles.
V 8, I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
Greek for holy is “osious”, which means godly, pious, or righteous. Greek for wrath is “orges” which means anger. The posture of prayer is raising righteous and faithful hands in surrender and submission to God.
VV 9-15, 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
Women should dress modestly and in moderation avoiding extensive make-up, wearing expensive clothes and jewellery. The women should submit to men’s authority in public places of worship. Paul’s prohibition for a woman to teach in the church is not a universal command for all people of all times. This is a cultural command for first-century Israel when women were not educated. In that culture, it was appropriate for women not to teach or lead a congregation. Today women are educated and knowledgeable in every profession and this prohibition does not apply. Society and culture in first-century Israel were not the same as our modern 21st-century world.
VV 13-15, 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
God created Adam first, not Eve. Satan deceived Eve, not Adam. This is an allusion to Genesis 3:15.
Genesis 3:15, To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor, you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Application:
We are to pray with supplication, for our own needs, pray generally for all needs, intercede for other people’s needs out of a heart of gratitude to God in an appropriate posture of submission. We are to evangelize to others in response to the great commission. Women are to dress modestly in public places of worship. Prohibition for women to teach or lead in church no longer applies to the 21st-century world.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for instructions on prayer, evangelism, and Christian conduct in worship. We pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and divine enablement to share the gospel of Christ to our family, relatives, friends, and contacts. Help us to apply scripture into our daily lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen.