The Way - Day 162 (1 Timothy 2)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
1 TIMOTHY 2:1-7
Since false teaching had entered the church at Ephesus, the members had stopped praying for the salvation of the lost. Paul wrote the words in chapter 1 to combat these false teachers who were instructing the church that only those who converted to Judaism could have a relationship with God. Because of the confusion, the church had become discouraged and felt that praying for the unsaved would be useless since salvation supposedly hinged on obedience to the law. Paul set his readers straight and challenged Timothy to bring prayer back into the church. He writes "I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men." (2:1) Supplications carries the idea of need and communicates a desperate need for the salvation of the lost. The concept of intercessions is asking on behalf of someone else, specifically that they would be saved. These types of prayers should be offered for everyone, including those in authority (2:2). Why does Paul ask Timothy and the church to pray for everyone? "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2:3-4) The church should fervently pray for the lost to find salvation in Jesus Christ because it is God's nature to desire everyone to know the truth. After all, Jesus Christ became the "Mediator [one who restores peace between two people] between God and men...who gave Himself a ransom [payment so that the sinner could be released from the bondage of sin] for all." (2:5-6) Since Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin when He died on the cross, the believer should pray that many will put their faith in Him as the only way to salvation. The church has been given the responsibility to pray, especially for the lost. Paul urges Timothy to once again restore the passion for the lost by challenging them to pray. God loves those who are far from Him and desires, more than anything, that they would become true worshippers of Him. The church can play a major part in seeing the lost come to salvation when they pray!

1 TIMOTHY 2:8-15
Paul has been writing to Timothy, his son in the faith, to challenge him in some areas at the church of Ephesus. False teachers had entered the church trying to deceive believers into accepting another gospel...a gospel of works. After warning Timothy of the dangers, Paul began advising him about some issues within the church which were causing them to lose effectiveness. The first characteristic lacking in the church was their failure to pray for the lost (1 Timothy 2:1-7). The second issue plaguing the church was a lack of understanding about the roles of men and women in the church as well as improper behavior in worship services. It seems that the wealthy women of the church were flaunting their riches by wearing expensive clothing and dressing in a manner which had caused much distraction in the church (2:9b). In the first century women would adorn themselves with "gold or pearls or costly clothing" to draw attention to their wealth. This cultural practice had made it's way into the church and resulted in division between the rich and the poor women. Paul wrote to the women to "adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety [humility] and moderation [self-control]." (2:9a) Church is supposed to be about giving our full attention to God and no one should be distracting others from worshipping Him. In addition to dressing improperly, the women of the church were seeking high leadership roles in the church. Paul clearly outlines the role of women in the church - "let a woman learn in silence with all submission and I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence." (2:11-12) God has given the role of teaching in the church to the man and women should never try to take this God-given authority from him. Paul then illustrates this concept by going back to Adam and Eve. God gave Adam authority over Eve. His responsibility was to protect and her responsibility was to remain under his authority. Eve chose to go out from under the authority of Adam and was deceived by Satan. Adam, even though he was not deceived, took of the forbidden fruit and sinned. All of this happened when man and woman left the roles God had intended. Paul was warning Timothy about man and woman failing to recognize their roles in the church and the possible chaos which could take place. Paul then makes clear the great responsibility of women - "Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control." Women have the unique role of shaping the lives of their children. Having a closer bond with their mother, children are greatly influenced by her. When a mom raises her children to follow after godliness, she is changing the course of history. Paul challenged mothers to spend their time learning at church and then passing on spiritual truth to their children. When men and women understand their roles, God has the freedom to accomplish His will in the church.


Dear God, help men and women to be satisfied in the unique roles You have given them. May the men teach with passion and may the women raise their children to be passionate followers of You.