Instructions on Worship. 1 Timothy 2:1-15

1 Commentary by Ron Thomas. Questions by John C. Sewell. Instructions on Worship 1 Timothy 2:1-15

2 Instructions on Worship Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-20, 1. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 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. 8. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, or to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

3 Commentary: Timothy 2:1, First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. I. Looking at the last three verses of chapter 1, Paul exhorted Timothy to wage the good warfare. A. In order to do this effectively Paul says First of all. 1. It is not certain that Paul is prioritizing that which he is about to say above everything else God has revealed as much as it is first with respect to what he has in mind that Timothy needs to get done. II. What is it that Paul wanted the local preacher at Ephesus to do? A. Pray. 1. Since contextually, Paul has in mind public worship, it is important that prayers be made to God for His loving grace and for the people. a. The people in view cannot be limited, it seems, exclusively to Christians. b. However, trying to press the language to its logical conclusion, one s prayer would never cease because the prayer would continue until every person who lived in the world was prayed for; good judgment has us to understand that we are to pray for all people, not just some particular class of people. 2. Supplications, prayers, and intercessions are all words that have similar ideas; there is no real difference among them.

4 3. Timothy s prayer and those of the body of Christ are to be made to God with a grateful heart and on behalf of all people. Timothy 2:2, 3, 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. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. A. Paul further identified who needs our prayers. 1. From the perspective of the Holy Spirit, kings and all who are in high positions are in need of our prayers. a. This tells us at least two things: first, the Christian has an avenue with God that can affect those in position of authority and, second, those in positions of authority are subject to the Almighty s ultimate rule. b. More than this, though, Paul says our prayers are to be offered to the Father for those in positions of authority in order that we may live peaceful, godly and dignified lives. B. Christians have a desire to live righteously in a dark world, proclaiming the light of Jesus to those who are lost. 1. Satan s servants, on the other hand, have a desire to thwart anything and everything associated with righteousness. 2. Our prayer to God is that the Christian s desire will be granted. C. Why would we pray for those in government who work for Satan and persecute Christians?

5 1. This is an easy question to answer in theory more than in practice. 2. We know that it is good and acceptable to God. 3. Yet, we have sentiments that seek to have God s vengeance come upon those who are evil. 4. However, the Lord says we need to do so and a reason for this is that the Lord loves evil people as much as He loves us (John 3:16). 5. What nineteenth century expositor Albert Barnes said gives us a sense of why we need to pray for those in authority. The reason is, that so much depends on their character and plans; that the security of life, liberty and property depends so much on them. God has power to influence their hearts, and to incline them to what is just and equal; and hence we should pray that a divine influence may descend upon them (E-Sword). 6. But just as this is good and acceptable to God to pray for those in leadership, it is also worthy of note that God is our Savior and wants to be theirs as well. C. He is our Savior and the Savior of those in positions of authority. 1 Timothy 2:4, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. I. We pray for those in authority because we desire to lead a tranquil life, it is good in the sight of God our Savior, and, as we have here in this

6 verse, because it is God s desire that all people be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. A. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). 1. Is Paul saying that it is God s desire that people be saved before they have the truth and then they are to come to a knowledge of the truth? 2. No, he is not saying that. 3. With the conjunction and between these two phrases, Paul is repeating the idea without repeating the words. 4. In other words, to be saved is equivalent to coming the knowledge of the truth 1 Timothy 2:5, 6, 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. I. The word for is the reason for something said previously. A. God desires that all men would be saved for (because) there is one God and one Mediator. 1. With these words the unity between God and man is emphasized. 2. Acts 17:26-27, And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that

7 they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us. 3. The fact that God created man all men- indicates the unity between the two. Consequently, it is God s desire that His creation be saved. B. If there were many gods, then it would make no difference whether we submitted to the authority of one or some other. 1. However, since there is but one God, then He is the God of all men. 2. Moreover, there is one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus. a. Not only is there one God, but also there is one Mediator. 3. There is unity between God and man and there is unity between God, His Mediator, and His creation. II. This word mediator is an important word. A. 1 John 2:1 states that Jesus is our Advocate; that is, He goes to the Father on our behalf. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. B. When Jesus came to this earth He made known to man who God actually is. He revealed God s true nature and identity. 1. No one has ever seen God, the only God, who is at the Father s side; he has made him known (John 1:18).

8 C. He not only made God known to us, but He also redeemed (bought back) us from the bondage of sin. 1. When sin had a grasp on us, sin (personified) took us away from God, but the Lord Jesus came to this earth and bought us (redeemed us) back to God. 2. This message of God that Paul preached was at the time appointed by God, But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons (Galations 4:4, 5). 1 Timothy 2:7, 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. I. Paul brings this thought to a close when he reaffirms his mission to Timothy, the nature of which Timothy already knew. A. Paul exhorts Timothy that prayer should be made for those in authority in order that Christian can live peaceably. B. Moreover these prayers are for the salvation of those who are in leadership (of government) because it is God s desire that all His creation be saved. Note: In this particular section it is much easier to see that a public setting is in view. In verses 1-7, that is not so easily determined. However, since there is no setting break, it is natural to assume that as verses 8-15 are in a public setting, so are verses 1-7. 1 Timothy 2:8, I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; Paul uses the word desire (boulomai), but the sense of it is, I command.

9 Note: The NASV translates, desire as I want. I. Since Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit it is not to our advantage to set aside what he wrote to Timothy in order for us to accommodate something different. A. Romans 15:18, For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed B. 1 Corinthians 4:17, For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. C. 1 Corinthians 14:37, If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. D. Galatians 1:7-9, Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. II. Furthermore, Paul said that in every place it is the men (in contrast to women) who should be leading in prayer. A. Since this passage concerns a public gathering, wherever the congregation of the Lord s people meets, the men are to do the praying.

10 B. The word holy conveys the sense that the males, in this case, are in harmony with God s will, His commands. III. The phrase lifting up holy hands is an idiom, a figure of speech for offering requests from a holy life. A. The men who pray are to have no anger ( wrath -NKJV, indignation against a brother) and no doubt ( quarreling, ESV) in their lives. B. They are to be men who are in full conviction that God exists and that He will reward those who have faith in Him (Hebrews 11:6). 1. If the ESV is correct in its rendering of the word dialogismos, then this will compliment the word anger. 1 Timothy 2:9, 10, 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. I. Paul just set apart the thought/behavior of men who are to do the praying in a public gathering (an assembly), now he speaks to the thought/behavior/demeanor of the Christian woman. A. We know that a public gathering is in view because that is what he has been talking about in previous verses. (I Timothy 2:1) 1. Furthermore, he uses the word likewise showing a connection to what has been previously said. II. In these two verses Paul accentuates three positives and one negative.

11 A. First, that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel. 1. The word adorn means to decorate oneself (Webster s). B. With what should a woman adorn herself? 1. With respectable (modest, NKJV) apparel. a. The word modest is to be understood in contrast with that which is immodest. b. Generally, what we have in view is that which either covers the body or it does not. c. Whether the word is respectable or modest, that with which one is dressed is to reflect the mind of God. 2. When a Christian woman is dressed in such a way as to reflect the mind of God, she will dress with modesty (propriety, NKJV) and self-control (this is the second positive of three.) a. Modest or propriety has in view a shrinking back from anything unbecoming. 3. The one negative in the midst of these three positive statements is that a godly woman is not to be concerned with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire. a. Do not let your adorning be external the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and

12 quiet spirit, which in God s sight is very precious (1 Peter 3:3-4). b. Reese cites the words of Kent, One s attire is the expression of tastes, interest, and even character. Consequently, the manner in which a woman dresses indicates a great deal about what sort of woman she is. 4. Does Paul not want Christian women to look nice? a. If so, why does he speak against braided hair, jewelry, and fine apparel? b. To begin, consider where the emphasis is placed. c. With those who wear this type of clothing/apparel emphasis is placed upon the person, a distraction from where the Lord is to be seen in the heart. d. Second, consider the association in the culture at that time. e. The reason for Paul s prohibition of elaborate hair styles, ornate jewelry, and extremely expensive clothing becomes clear when one reads in the contemporary literature of the inordinate time, expense, and effort that elaborately braided hair and jewels demanded, not just as ostentatious display, but also as the mode of dress of courtesans and harlots. 5. Rather, the Christian woman is one who will profess godliness with good works. 1 Timothy 2:11, Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.

13 I. This and the following verse is part of a huge controversy. A. The controversy surrounds the role of the female in the church. B. The words of the Holy Spirit are clear enough, so why the controversy? C. From the perspective of some, Paul is much too restrictive in his prohibition toward women. D. It must not be forgotten, however, that Paul wrote what the Holy Spirit told him to write! E. The NKJV uses the word silence, a word that carries a do not speak a word idea. 1. Of course, this is not accurate, but some interpret it that way. a. Perhaps the ESV gives the correct sense. b. She is to have a quiet demeanor, a submissive attitude. c. To whom is the woman (wife) to be submissive? Ultimately, it is the Lord to whom she is submissive. d. Contextually, it is her husband if married, the male if not. 1 Timothy 2:12, I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. I. Is it actually Paul who does not allow a woman to teach or is it the Holy Spirit?

14 A. Some interpreters of the Scripture say that it is just Paul and his prohibition is merely cultural, local, and temporary. B. Suffice it to say that nothing in the text or context will limit this to something local and temporary. C. Moreover, it was not Paul s words of prohibition to Timothy, but those of the Holy Spirit. D. If the Holy Spirit meant for this to be understood in some local, temporary sense, don t you think He would know how to make that clear? E. It is generally interpreted that the prohibition to teaching is with respect to exercising authority over men, specifically Christian men (as per context). 1. However, that does not seem to be Paul s point. 2. Note the reading of the verse. 3. The woman is not to teach or have authority over the man. 4. In other words, It seems therefore that Paul is prohibiting two separate events: teaching and acting in authority. The relationship that exists between the two is that of a principle and a specific application of that principle. 1 Timothy 2:13, 14, For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. I. Why is it that a woman is not to teach?

15 A. Paul gives us two reasons. 1. First, the creation order (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 2:16), and, 2. second, the transgression order. II. Though Reese thinks the focus of the text is the husband/wife relationship (in contrast to it s being a male/female focus). Hence, for a wife to habitually teach or exercise authority over her husband is out of place with her created role of being a helper (not the man s master.) III. It was not Adam who was deceived, but his wife. A. Because she usurped her authority (mostly, she resisted what she knew was the Lord s command against eating of the tree), she brought sin into the world through man (Adam was called to account for the introduction of sin). 1. Genesis 3:9, And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 2. Adam was not directly deceived, but, presumably, he bought into the lie given to Eve. 1 Timothy 2:15, Yet she will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. I. The first thing to determine is who is the she? A. If the pronoun goes back to its nearest antecedent, it would seem to refer to the woman (Eve). 1. The difficulty with this is in the use of the plural, they. To whom does this apply?

16 2. Eve will be saved through childbearing? a. A number of expositors thinks this refers to Genesis 3:16 (protevangelium); in other words, she will be saved because the Messiah will be brought into the world through woman. b. It may not be; this not a natural reading of the text. B. Paul has been speaking about the roles of men and women in the church, that women are not to usurp men s role and take upon themselves the leadership given to man. 1. Paul may still be talking about the role of women in this verse. 2. This translation [ Through child-bearing ] makes it refer to the birth of the Saviour as glorifying womanhood. 3. That is true, but it is not clear that Paul does not have mostly in mind that child-bearing, not public teaching, is the peculiar function of woman with a glory and dignity all its own. C. She will be saved (RWP, E-Sword). 1. The woman will be saved by fulfilling her role in motherhood and by continuing in faith, love, holiness, with self-control. 2. The role of the woman is a very important role and one that is not to be taken lightly. 3. Rather, she is to accept her God-given role, one of the specific functions being the bearing of children...

17 Questions 1 Timothy 2:1-15 1. Paul urged of first importance that, and be made for everyone. (NIV) 2. Define and differentiate the words used in answering question 1. 3. Everyone includes and all those in. 4. Why should we pray for those named in question 3? 5. Why is this considered good and why does this please God?

18 6. God wants to be and come to the of the. (NIV) 7. Are being saving and coming to the knowledge of the truth the same thing said in different words or two different things? Explain your answer. 8. What is a mediator? How many mediators are there? Who serves as our mediator? 9. What is a ransom? Who paid a ransom for us, of what did the ransom consist, and what was the result of the paying of this ransom?

19 10. What was the proper time mentioned in verse 6? Why was that particular time the proper time? 11. Paul was appointed a and an and a of the to the. (NIV) 12. What was the purpose for which Paul was so appointed? 13. Paul declared, I want to lift up in, without or. 14. When you pray do you lift up holy hands? If not, why not?

20 15. Will God hear the prayers of those who are angry and inclined to dispute and argue with others? Give scripture to support your answer. 16. What are women to do, not do and why is this appropriate? 17. A should in and. (NIV) Does this mean a woman cannot be President? After a woman has learned can she sound off? 18. Paul declared, I do not a to or to have over a ; she must be. (NIV) 19. Did Paul order a woman not to teach or not to teach over a man? If not to teach at all, where would we get Sunday School teachers?

21 20. Women are to be silent. Are there exceptions to this rule? Can women sing? What else can they do? 21. Why did Paul take this position? See verses 13 and 14. 22. But will be through - if in, and with. (NIV) 23. Who are they in verse 15? 24. Is it permissible for women to serve communion? They can certainly do that silently. It is serving. What if the church leadership asked them to serve in this way?

22 25. What is modest and what is immodest by the way of clothing? Do standards of modesty vary from one age, culture and situation to another? Explain your answer.