Instruction on Worship- 1 Timothy 2: 1-15

Introduction

Is God concerned with with prayer list? what about our conduct in worship ?

we are to pray all kinds of prayer for all (1-7)

1 Timothy 2:1-7 “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. 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. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

stimulation to pray for all, all kinds of prayers

The apostle Paul is persuading Timothy to pray all kinds of prayers for all, specifically kings and all in authority.

Rome tolerated worship of other deities but also demanded royalty by worshipping the goddess Roma and the spirit of the empire. Jew did not like that, so they were required pray and make sacrifice for the empires health rather than worshiping and making sacrifices to the goddess and the empires . The rebellion in AD 66 changed idea of praying for empire because the Jews declared war against the authorities.

All prayers for authorities

Brings a well-ordered life, free of disturbances, full of piety and well respected

Jeremiah 29:7 ESV

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.

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

It is good and pleasing in the sight of God our savior ( it not wrong to do that, on the contrary it makes God happy)

The reason for praying all kind of prayers for kings and authorities is because there is only one God who is also the only mediator( a negotiator who acts as a link between parties ) who stands between God and man. that man is Jesus Christ. he is also the ransom( payment in exchange for the release of someone held captive) for all

Praying for the empire does not mean praying to the empire in all truth it is a demonstration of faith in one God, one mediator, who is the ransom Jesus Christ

This is what Paul was called for. He is stimulating Timothy because he is an apostle to the Gentiles. It is OK to do that.

The purpose for praying all prayers for all are that; it is of great reward to believers and that God is concerned for all people. That is to motivate us to prayer.

Application: our prayer list has to be inclusive,

it must all aspects of prayer and we are to pray for people. This for our own good and because God is concerned with everyone.

We are to conduct ourselves appropriate in worship

1 Timothy 2:8–15 ESV

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

In these last 8 verses Paul addresses appropriate conduct in the house churches. But we must not be blind to that the bigger section is on women

could it be that they were more women than men in the church of Ephesus? or maybe women where a problem ?

Men are to lift up holy hands

Jews or Gentiles, all worshipped and made the petitions to deities with either lifted or stretched hands and Jews in diaspora washed their hands before prayer.

Psalm 77:2 ESV

In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

Psalm 134:2 ESV

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

Psalm 24:4 ESV

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

The apostle Paul uses figure of speech ( a familiar ancient conduct in prayer) to instruct men to offer request from a sincere heart.

Application; could we take a moment of reflection on our conduct in prayer. is there some attitudes that we do when praying that we picked and are doing it even if it not necessary?

Modesty and good deeds ( occupied with appearances)

such a topic was not strange during this time because the moral teachers more often emphasized on it. so the language of excess adornment was not foreign at all.

the constant emphasis was due to men being tempted sexually and, it is noted that gentile writers were concerned about women excessive and unnecessary display of wealth with an aim to attract attention.

for example braiding hair with gold which was seen and being extravagance.

women in a normal situation covered their hair while single women did not men were attracted to them. Women in whose house the church gathered did not cover their hair.

Moral teacher emphasized the inner beauty attraction for a husband then outward adornment.

Quietness and submission

valued respectable behavior in Greek or Ephesus for women where; being meek and quite.

To assume authority over men

A woman assuming authority over a man was something unheard in both culture; Jews or Gentiles. women were less educated and so they were an easy target for false teachers to be used to to spread their teaching . instead of teaching or being uneducated Paul says that they may learn.

Supporting argument from creation( debatable issues)

Eve as a woman was deceived. Some suggest all women could be deceived other suggest that it apply to women who were deceive able women in Ephesus.

Salvation through child bearing ( another debatable issue)

Jewish and Gentile women prayed for protection during child bearing. it possible that Paul is talking about the divine protection during child delivery as opposed to finding significance through assuming authority over men.

Application: women are to focus on their outer adornment rather they are to work on their inner beauty. Gods offer of protection is only immunized to protection in child bearing.

Conclusion

God desire us to pray all kind of prayers for all people not just our families, friends or relatives Jesus commanded that we are to love our enemies and pray for those persecute us.

Matthew 5:43–48 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

God desires that we worship him in spirit and in truth ( John4:23 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”)

The truth is he is seeking for such people who outwardly express the inside sincere love and surrender to him in prayer. Those are the ones who lift up holy hand without inside conflicts or occupied by appearances

Isaiah 29:13 ESV

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

Matthew 15:7–8 ESV

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;