1 Timothy 2:3-7

Last week I walked through the first two verses, hopefully, I can quickly reiterate what I covered and move into subsequent verses. Before I do that, I want to take time to recognize Brother Russ it is his birthday and Brother Jason. He took time to memorize the verses in Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:10–18 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Now, to get into our text. I trust everyone is at 1 Timothy 2.

Paul’s Pleading

We open this chapter with Paul pleading for Timothy to pray. If one were to start reading from here, a sensible question of why might arise.

Why not just say, “As Christians it is fitting and applicable to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks?

Because this chapter is situated in the context of the preceeding chapter. As we have read and seen, Timothy had a large burden to bear.

Paul is saying, “you are faced with false teachers, those whom have fabricated lies concerning the law, and fellow leaders being excommunicated.”

I have already mentioned Paul was reminding Timothy to guard the gospel, celebrate the gospel, and fight for the gospel.

Let me illustrate it this way...

A preacher and a barber were walking through city slums. “If God was as kind as you say, he wouldn’t permit all this poverty, disease and squalor,” the barber said. “He wouldn’t allow these poor street people to get addicted. I cannot believe in a God who permits these things.”

The minister was silent until they met a man whose hair was hanging down his neck and had a half inch of stubble on his face.

“You can’t be a good barber, or you wouldn’t permit a man like this to continue living here without a haircut and a shave,” the preacher said.

Indignant, the barber answered, “Why blame me for that man’s condition? He has never come to my shop. If he had, I could’ve fixed him up and made him look like a gentleman!”

“Then don’t blame God for allowing people to continue in their evil ways,” the preacher said. “He invites them to come and be saved.”

Here is the point, I want to drive home, don’t blame God for issues in the church. God invites us to come to Him in prayer. We read it here, Ephesus had issues and so does every church down through the ages. The church is an assembled body of unperfect people. We need to bring our problems to God.

Paul pleads with Timothy to bring the problem before God, and we would benefit to do likewise. Get down to business and pray!

This leads me to my next point the prominence of prayer.

Prominence of Prayer

Paul proceeds to list four different types of prayer to include supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks.

1 Timothy 2:1 KJV 1900

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Prayer is of great importance in the life of a Christian. Prayer is a necessary form of communication.

Communication is key in any relationship.

Take for example Lucas and Paige, they will be entering a marriage relationship very shortly. It would be wise for him and her to communicate on a regular basis. Imagine the fights and arguments I could have prevented if I merely learned this truth early on…consider the arguments, I can prevent in the future if I were to exercise this truth going forward.

Communication takes on more than just words in a relationship. For example, in the 5 Love Languages, we learn about Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.

My point is this…communication is important. Prayer is a necessary form of communication. There is prominence in prayer. Hence, Paul pleads for Timothy to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks.

Supplications is a felt need…it is goes deeper than prayer, and has to do with matters about which we are greatly exercised and which cause intense concern.

Prayers is the common term for this activity, and it emphasizes the sacredness of prayer. It is a means of recognizing the God. It stresses the honor and respect which we hold for God in bringing our requests before Him.

Intercessions suggest offering prayers on behalf of others. What about others in our congregation, in our community, in our country, and those around the world.

Giving of thanks…this should be a part of our prayer life. Not just a day on the calendar to gather for food with family and friends.

Prayer is more than bringing our needs and desires to God. David demonstrated prayer is more than offering requests…in fact, Psalm 103, David presented to God only Thanksgiving.

In preparing for this message, I came across an interesting account about being thankful.

1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 114: A Marine’s Final Thanks

Thirty-five years ago, I was a young second lieutenant who had just married after graduating from the Naval Academy. My wife and I went down to Quantico, Virginia, home of the school where officers learn about honor, courage, and commitment. I shared a room with another married officer, John Listerman, who was a Christian. That meant nothing to me other than that he was a really nice guy. Because of John, I guessed this Christian stuff must be pretty good.

After graduating from basic school, John and I went to Camp Pendleton, California, where we joined the same battalion preparing to go to Vietnam. I then saw John Listerman as a tremendous leader who was aggressive and technically proficient. People loved him. He was committed to his troops, and his troops were committed to him. He was a marine’s marine.

In December 1965, John and I went to war. John Listerman’s war lasted one day. While on patrol moving through the jungle, we came around a corner in the trail and ran into an ambush. John took a 50-caliber round in his kneecap. As his kneecap burst, he was thrown into the air. The second round hit him below the heart and exited out his side. I was wounded also, but not as badly. I crawled about thirty meters to John, but before I could ask, “Are you OK? Can I do anything?” he said to me, “How are you doing, Chucker? Are you OK?”

When I said I was OK, he said, “Are my men safe?”

I said, “Your people are OK.” He turned his head and looked to the sky and repeated over and over, “Thank you, Lord. Thank you for caring for my people. Thank you for caring for me.”

(Note: John Listerman and Charles Krulak were evacuated. Krulak later became a Christian.)

This account was shared by the Gen. Charles Krulak. He served as the 31st commandant of the United States Marine Corps from July 1995 to June 1999. Apparently, he eventually became a Christian.

Our testimony has the power to impact people, don’t be ungrateful, be thankful. Be thankful in prayer!

So we see Paul’s pleading and the prominence of prayer, but for whom are we to pray for?

Pray for People

The populace as a whole and more specifically those in powerful positions. Yes, I said powerful positions.

1 Timothy 2:2 KJV 1900

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

1 Thessalonians through Philemon a. Good and Acceptable to God (2:3)

God expects His children to live on a higher plane, which even includes praying for those who may be our enemies, as He did (Mt. 5:44–48; Lk. 23:34).

I mentioned last week, these individuals in powerful positions can influence our lives.

Yes, they can influence us for good or bad. The decisions and ordinances they institute will have an impact on our lives.

Paul prompted the church to pray for those in authority. Godless Nero was on the throne, and yet believers were supposed to pray for him.

Therefore, believers had learned to fear the power residing in their governments. In order to prevent the fear becoming hatred, Paul urged prayer. Prayer is the remedy for hatred.

One commentary said, “Prayer for those who mistreat is still the finest safeguard against the sin of hatred.” The Christian writers of the second and third centuries teach us prayer for rulers always formed a part of the Christian gatherings.

It has been said, “Even when we cannot respect men or women in authority, we must respect their offices and pray for them.”

I read this… “When we come together in a public service we usually pray for those who are in authority; but are we as much concerned about remembering them before God when we kneel alone in His presence?” Let that sink in, I am guilty. I need to pray more for those in public office in my private prayer time.

Why do we pray for these individuals? We do so to have peaceful lives.

Scripture says, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2b-4)

As we pray for our leaders, those in powerful positions, it will produce a quiet and peaceable life for the church.

If the church is at peace with outsiders, then the outsiders are experiencing peace also. God’s blessings usually overflow the recipients, and affect others too. The terms quiet and peaceable are synonyms from what i can tell based on the Greek.

However, one commentator distinguishes the two as such:

Quiet denotes arising from the absence of outward disturbances: peaceable signifies tranquility arising from within. A peaceful man is composed, discreet, self-contained, who keeps himself from rash doing: a quiet man is he who is withdrawn from outward disturbances.

Another commentator put it this way: “‘Quiet’ refers to circumstances around us, while ‘peaceful’ refers to a calm attitude within us. The results should be lives that are godly and honorable.”

Since Christians must be subject to rulers who may persecute them, prayer is necessary to overrule them. As a result, believers may be spared from troubles without and unrest within, if only we would pray for our rulers.

This manner of life (quiet and peaceable) must be exercised in the realm of godliness and honesty.

Godliness describes one’s attitude and conduct as measured by God’s standard. Godliness is a manner of life that properly reverences God.

Honesty refers to respectful behavior or quality of life which entitles one to respect among men.

So, we have seen we need to pray for people, more specifically, pray for people in powerful positions to have peaceful lives. Next we see this is pleasing to God!

Pleasing to God

1 Thessalonians through Philemon a. Good and Acceptable to God (2:3)

The first reason which Paul gives for praying for all men, including civil rulers of all kinds, is that this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Since we are in the process of being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), every believer ought to be concerned to do anything that is pleasing to God. At His baptism and transfiguration the Father declared about the Son, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17; 17:5).

Paul’s tells Timothy to pray for “all men” to experience peaceful lives and because it is pleasing to God. Consider how Paul mentions God, he says “God our Saviour,” an expression we saw in 1 Tim 1:1. God as Savior has opened the door of prayer to men.

Timothy pray…pray for “all men.” Pray they would forsake false teaching and come to know the the truth. Jesus is the truth! It is God’s will “all men” will come to know Him. This prayer agrees with God’s desire for all mankind. The reason why we may pray for all men is because of God’s action in providing salvation.

God wishes all men to be saved. “Who will” signifies a desire springing out of the emotions or inclinations, an enjoyment, taking pleasure.

This is a reference to God’s moral will which applies to all men. However, this moral will of God may fail, and often does. Men sin, although God does not want them to. Consequently, if men are lost, it is because they opposed God’s will which gave His Son to save them.

God does not violate man’s opportunity to choose.

Some commentators mention the passive voice being used with (to be saved).

In all honesty, I need to learn more about active and passive voices but know this...God wishes all men to be saved, that is, to experience salvation through a personal faith in Christ.

If the text had used the active voice, “wishes to save all men,” one would wonder why God does not then do so.

The point is God gives man a choice and we have to make a decision to place our faith in Him. We are not robots programed to acts certain ways, we are individuals with free wills.

Through salvation by faith men can come into full realization of truth, and this is God’s will for men.

Salvation places men in Christ who said, “I am the truth” (John 14:6). The Christian is thus in a position to enter into full experiential knowledge of Christ.

Moving on, we pray for people, people in powerful positions to experience peaceful lives, and we see this is pleasing to God, but this should lead us to propagate the gospel.

Propagate the Gospel

Propagate what type of word is that? It means to promote (an idea, knowledge, etc.) widely.[1] With the synonyms including spread, circulate, disseminate.

1 Timothy 2:5–7 KJV 1900

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 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

The basis for prayer is to spread the gospel. Here we read of Paul’s thought on the basis upon which prayer can be made to God for the salvation and blessing of all men.

The grounds for prayer center upon the Gospel which provides salvation available for all.

Let look at four truths in this passage and see how they relate to spreading the gospel.

a. The Presence of one God

“For there is one God” This was the central truth of the Old Testament.

If there were many gods, men could be left to their own. But since there is only one God, and He desires all to be saved, then prayer to Him for all men is in order.

If there is only one God, and there is only one God, then He is the God of all men.

All are responsible to Him. He has expressed concern for the salvation of all. This should encourage us to pray and get involved in evangelism.

b. The Person of the Mediator

“one mediator between God and men” The oneness of the Mediator is as fundamental to Christianity as the oneness of God to the Old Testament Jew.

Since there is only one Mediator, then Christians have the responsibility of making Him known to all men.

Some by their practice imply Christ is “one” among many, and have included angels, saints, and the Virgin Mary as other mediators. That is impossible!

To say Christ is one among many mediators is to say God is one among many gods. We know we serve only one God!

This Mediator is a man: namely, Christ Jesus. Our Mediator, although equally God, became man.

In His humanity, Christ performed the work of Mediator, and affected the human race. He offered all a way of salvation.

The incarnation of Christ answered the plea of Job 9:32–33 referring to a daysman betwixt us.

In addition to the unity of God and Mediator, we read of ransom.

c. The Payment Known as A Ransom Available to All.

Christ gave Himself as a “ransom for all.” This is closely related to Christ’s own statement, “a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28 KJV 1900

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Some might think the word “many” there indicates His redemption is not available for all, but the Holy Spirit negatives that thought by what we read here in verse six: “Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

While it is true only those who believe on Him will be actually redeemed; howbeit He gave Himself an available ransom for all. The payment is available to anyone who comes by faith.

If ever you are lost eternally it will not be because God was not ready to save you; if you are shut away from Heaven, it will not be because there was not a welcome for you. If only you had come by way of Jesus, recognizing the work He did at Calvary’s cross.

There is no other way, no other salvation than through the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that work avails for you if you will come and put your trust in Him who accomplished it.

Acts 4:12 KJV 1900

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

This truth must be given out. As Christians, we need to propagate the gospel.

d. The Placement to Service

1 Timothy 2:7 KJV 1900

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

As a final argument to show the adequate basis for universal prayer, Paul points to his own commission which was to be a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

This commission to Paul came from Christ, and specifically directed him to gentiles. Hence, no racial or class distinctions are valid in the scope of the gospel.

Acts 9:15 KJV 1900

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Paul raised this issue to show God’s interest in gentiles and rulers as illustrated by his own experience.

Here it is, pray. We have seen now for two weeks this issue of prayer. Pray for all people, people in powerful positions, that we can experience peaceful lives and propagate the gospel.

Look to Paul’s example, he had a desire to see his own people saved, but he also bears Christ’s name before Gentiles and Kings. We have been placed into service and need to follow Christ’s commission to us-ward (Matthew 28.19-20)

I leave you with this truth…Pray. The progress of the gospel in the world is dependent on the prayers of God’s people in the church.