FIRST TIMOTHY
Chapter Two
OUTLINE OF CHAPTER TWO:
1. Prayer is to be offered for all classes of men (1-2).
2. God desires that all men be saved (3-4).
3. One God, one Christ who gave Himself (5-7).
4. Prayer should be pure, holy (8).
5. Duties of Women (9-15).
a. Modesty in demeanor and apparel (9).
b. Good works (10).
c. Learning from others with gentle and quiet spirit (11).
d. Subordination and submission to man (12).
e. Reasons for this subordination (13-15).
(vs 1) "exhort" -- stronger than a suggestion. Paul expects these
instructions to be carried out.
"supplications" -- expressions which relate to the deepest
needs of the heart, for particular benefits. More
personal than in the word "prayer."
Lk. 1:13; Heb. 5:7; 2 Tim. 1:3.
"prayers" -- communion with God. One must have a right
relationship to God. For general blessings as we need
them.
"intercession" -- a plea on behalf of others.
"thanksgivings" -- How thankful we should be for the manifold
blessings of Jehovah.
"for all men" -- None should be outside our realm of prayer.
NOTE: We do not pray for men to be saved in their sins,
but prayer can be made for sinners; prayer that they
might come to our mediator (vs 5).
(vs 2) "kings....high places" -- Prayer for those who are leaders of
the land; that we may continue to serve God according
to His instructions. Rom. 13:1-7.
NOTE: A life lived in "godliness and gravity" does not
depend upon the rulers of the land, but God is served
much easier without civil persecutions.
"tranquil" -- outward calm.
"quiet" -- inward condition of the one praying.
REMEMBER: This was written during the rule of some of the
most wicked rulers of the Roman Empire.
"godliness" -- fulfilling our duty to God. Being like God.
"gravity" -- "honesty" toward all men.
(vs 3) God desires us to pray for all men, because.....
(vs 4) He would have all men to be saved. Cf. 2 Pet. 3:9.
Provision have been made for all men, but they must come to
the "knowledge of the truth." Only the truth can make men
free. Jn. 8:32. Man is dependent upon God's instruction to
know what to do for salvation.
(vs 5) "One God" -- The Father; Jehovah.
"One mediator" -- One who stands between parties that differ,
that their differences may be reconciled. Not Mary, not
saints, etc. Thus prayers, etc., cannot be offered through
Mary or some "saint."
"Himself man" -- This is why He can be our mediator. He knows
the feelings of man; He was man. Cf. Heb. 2:14-18.
(vs 6) "ransom" -- the price paid to redeem one sold into bondage.
Jesus paid the price to redeem mankind from sin, as He
died on the cross. He became the sacrificial lamb for you
and for me, for all mankind.
"gave Himself" -- Not coerced, forced, or compelled, but
freely gave Himself. Jesus came to do the will of the
Father, as all men must do, if they would be saved.
"testimony....own time" -- Cf. Gal. 4:4 "fulness of time"
Jesus as the one mediator came when all things were
ready. It is now time to give this testimony; Christ died
for all men.
(vs 7) Paul was appointed the great task of taking the Gospel unto
the Gentiles, as Peter was chosen to first preach to the
Jews. This does not mean that Paul never preached to the
Jews, but that he was especially sent to the Gentiles.
"preacher" -- a heralder, proclaimer, announcer.
"apostle" -- one sent with the proper credentials, authority.
"I speak...lie not" -- Probably in response to the false,
Judaizing teachers, who would call in question Paul's
claim to be an apostle. Cf. 1 Cor. 9:1-4.
"in faith and truth" -- Paul's faith in the facts of the
Gospel.
(vs 8) Gentiles, as well as Jews, were to pray.
"lifting up holy hands" -- Those who pray must have hands
that are holy, pure, clean. Not an attempt to call
attention to oneself; not to be seen of men.
Cf. Mt. 6:5-8; Lk. 18:10-14.
NOTE: "holy hands" -- a figure of purity of life.
Job 17:9; Psa. 24:4; Jas. 4:8.
"without wrath and disputing" -- without ill feelings or
animosity toward any. The heart is to be pure when we
approach our Father in prayer. When the Christian has
ill-feelings, malice toward others (Christians or not),
their prayer is not heard.
God is not to be approached in the midst of
disputing, wrath, contentions, etc. Prayer is to be
offered in a calm, serious, sober state of mind.
(vs 9) As the man has a responsibility toward purity, holiness,
etc., so the woman has an obligation toward holiness.
Thus, "in like manner."
"adorn" -- Certain things that women are to possess, to dress
themselves in.
"Modest" -- well-ordered, decorous, becoming, appropriate.
"shamefastness" -- Modesty as it applies to the attitude of
the heart of the woman.
"sobriety" -- sanity, sobermindedness, moderation of the
desires and passions. It is opposed to that which is
frivolous; undue excitement of the passions.
"Not with....." -- Dressing in such a way to call attention
to herself. The appearance of the woman should not be
offensive to any class of persons. She should show that
her mind is supremely fixed on higher and more
important things than outward lavishing of the body.
The apparel should be such as not to attract
attention, or cause undue attention.
When the heart is right, when there is true and
supreme love for God, it is usually not difficult to
regulate the subject of dress.
When the child of God is modest, shamefast, her
dress will reflect these characteristics.
A Christian will not wear that which will build up
lust, evil desires, emotions in others, but will be
modest, chaste, decent in all things.
This goes for men as well.
"braided hair" -- An Eastern custom was to braid costly gold,
silver, pearls, etc., in their hair in order to call
attention to themselves.
(vs 10) "But" -- Giving a contrast. This should replace the outward
show of the fleshly adorning.
"good works" -- 1 Tim. 5:10-14; Titus 2:3-5. How important!!
(vs 11) The position of women in public worship is to be of a quiet
and submissive learner. She is NOT
(vs 12) "to have dominion over a man" -- The emphasis is that woman
is not to be in places of authority when assembled to
worship Jehovah.
NOTE: This is the rule "in all the churches of the
saints," cf. 1 Cor 14:33-34.
Obviously, women are to teach -- Titus 2:3-5; but the Holy
Spirit regulates where and when. She is not to assume
authority or superiority over the man.
(vs 13) Why would Paul insert this statement? To show that Adam had
priority in creation, he was first in creation. (cf. 1
Cor. 11:9). Eve was formed as a "helpmeet" for man. She
is not his slave, or bondservant, but a helpmeet.
(vs 14) Paul now argues that Adam was not beguiled, rather it was
Eve. Did Adam sin? Surely, but with eyes wide open. The
character of Eve allowed her to be deceived.
The point being made here is that in the nature of the
two, one is to lead, the other to follow.
(vs 15) "childbearing" -- includes caring for and training children
that is necessitated by bringing them into the world.
As man has the responsibility to take the lead; so
woman has the responsibility of the home.
"if they continue" -- describes what is needed for salvation.
NOTE: This does not make the woman inferior, or second
rate. It simply gives order to God's arrangements.
There is no greater nor nobler task than that of
bearing children and raising them to fear God.
Prov. 31:10-31 --The worthy woman.
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