https://esv.literalword.com/?q=1+Timothy+2
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 12 August 2024:
1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8 — First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way…. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.
Paul urged Christians to pray for government officials and powerful people in a highly corrupt society and during a time when the church was greatly persecuted. He urged for this response rather than loud protests against the ruling authorities. His obvious point is that prayer is much more powerful than protest. He saw corporate prayer as the solution to the problem, not just a last resort for helpless victims. You have direct access to the Holy Spirit, the power of God Almighty. If you are living according to His will, your prayers are the most powerful force on the planet.
Today’s political scene is full of passion and protests, but far too little prayer, which Paul says is priority number one. Paul, who was persecuted, imprisoned, and executed for his faith, said we should not only pray for leaders and people in high positions, we should offer “intercessions (pleading to God on their behalf) and thanksgivings” for them. As political debate seems to grow increasingly meanspirited, Paul urges us to remain “dignified in every way…. lifting up holy hands without anger or quarreling.” Are you a ‘political activist’ like Paul who seeks to change the political landscape through intercessory prayer, thanksgiving, and shocking displays of the love of Christ? Wouldn’t that be revolutionary?
As Paul points out, praying for the salvation of our political leaders should be a top priority for Christians – “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made… for kings and all who are in high positions…. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Like everyone else, political leaders need forgiveness and a new life in Christ. (Acts 4:10-12; Romans 10:9) Don’t sin by failing to pray for them from a genuine heart of love which eagerly desires their reconciliation.
- James 4:17 — So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
- 1 Samuel 12:23 — Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you….
- Matthew 5:44 — But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you….
- James 2:9 — But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
We should also pray that God would move the hearts of our leaders to make wise decisions aligned with God’s ethics and principles. God is in control of the political situation and all the people involved. There are many amazing examples in the Bible of how God used unbelieving leaders to accomplish His purposes and benefit His people. For example, in Ezra 1, we read how God moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to support the return of Jews to the Homeland to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem. God inspired Pharaoh to make Joseph second-in-command (Genesis 41:41-46); God inspired the king of Persia to allow the Jews to defend themselves against slaughter and to make Mordecai prime minister of Persia (Esther 3-7); and God inspired king Nebuchadnezzar to appoint Daniel as ruler of the province of Babylon (Daniel 2:48). The most powerful thing you can do to influence the political scene is to pray.
Of course, God also uses wicked leaders for His purposes to punish and discipline people as He did with Hazael, who God sent Elijah to anoint to be king over Syria so that God could use him to punish the Israelites for their idolatry. (1 Kings 19:15; 2 Kings 8-13) Particularly under our political system, we get the leader we ask for, so pray for revival within the church and an awakening in our nation which would cause people to seek leaders who genuinely seek the will of God for our nation that we would live by our national anthem of “In God We Trust.”
- Daniel 2:21 — He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding….
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 — For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
- Proverbs 21:1 — The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.
- Jeremiah 29:4-7 — Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
1 Timothy 2:4 – [God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Are you working to please God today by preaching the Good News to everyone around you?
1 Timothy 2:15 — Yet she will be saved through childbearing-if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Paul is not saying that salvation comes through childbearing. We know through the rest of Paul’s writings and the whole of Scripture that salvation comes through genuine faith in Jesus and that we are saved by grace alone, not by our works or efforts. Genuine faith results in an obedient life that fulfills God’s purpose in life. This verse must be taken in context with the verses above on positional authority and submissiveness. Paul is saying that women, with the primary role of childbearing, are of no less value than men who hold various positions of responsibility as a primary role, and that their salvation doesn’t come through what they do but rather who they are in Christ. Better to be a person of honor than to hold a position of honor. As Jesus taught, “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11). When Paul says women are saved “if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control,” he is not saying they are saved by their behavior, he is saying their behavior will be evidence of their salvation, the proof of their salvation.
Also, by referencing childbearing, he is referring back to the curse of Eve’s original sin: “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16) Eve (followed by Adam) failed to submit to God’s authority in the Garden and cursed mankind. Submitting to authority, particularly to very imperfect authority figures, is an incredibly difficult thing for people to do, requiring great humility and trust in God’s ultimate sovereignty and providence. Paul reminds women they have now been given an incredible opportunity to model humility and submissiveness within the household. Wives are told to submit to husbands, but likewise (throughout the Bible), husbands are told to submit to masters, governmental authorities, church leaders, and ultimately God Himself, all of which severely tests a man’s character in Christ. Why? Because our sinful nature still wants to save ourselves through self-sovereignty. We don’t want God or anyone else telling us what to do. God will use various authority figures to expose that sin in us, giving us the opportunity to glorify Him and be further conformed to Christlikeness when we trust and obey God through submission and “continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”
This is a verse intended specifically for women but also intended generally for both men and women. The instruction is specifically for women, but the lesson is for everyone. Whether you are a woman or a man, meditate on what Paul is teaching in this chapter about humble service and submission, beginning with the call to pray thankfully for kings. Is this your heart, or does pridefulness or fear get in the way? How is God’s word speaking to you this morning?
Paul points out that, in obedience, women (and men) play a critical role of creating and developing the next generation of believers that will continue the faith through the currently wicked generation. The most important and powerful institution on the earth is the Christian family. The greatest leadership role on the planet is that of parent. A person has no greater discipleship opportunity than being a parent. Christians think generationally. Did your parents teach you godly submissiveness? Do you demonstrate godly submissiveness to the next generation?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 12 August 2024: Dedicate earnest prayers today for leaders and people in high positions. Pray that God will give you a genuine heart for those for whom you feel less inclined to pray, for those from whom you sinfully desire to withhold grace.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 