I Timothy 2:1-8
Paul’s epistles to Timothy are different from those addressed to the churches in that Paul is advising a single individual. That said, the purpose of each of Paul’s epistles is the same — that God the Father be honored by lifting up and honoring the Son.
“I exhort therefore . . .” (v. 1). The use of “therefore” points to the charge which Paul issued to Timothy in verses 18 and 19 of chapter 1. Paul instructed Timothy to “war a good warfare.” Timothy was to do this by holding the faith and maintaining a good conscience. Holding the faith means to continue in Christ, believing that the Son is the one and only provision of God by which men may know the Father and receive eternal life through Him. Maintaining a good conscience requires that there be no conflict between the belief one espouses and the actions in which one engages.
To war a good warfare requires one to make supplication, prayer, intercession, and give thanks for all men (v. 1). In directing Timothy to pray in this manner, Paul reveals his own prayers for all men (and Timothy). Paul was of good conscience. His instruction to Timothy concerning prayer was in harmony with his own prayers. Paul begged fervently (made supplication) that God’s will be realized in the life of Timothy. Paul asked (prayed) God to provide the empowerment that Timothy would need to fulfill God’s will. Paul asked God to count his own prayers as being the prayers of Timothy (intercession). Lastly, Paul gave God thanks for Timothy. God is not constrained by time. Paul’s prayers of thanks would have included all that which God has done, is doing, and shall ever do in the life of Timothy.
The prayers which Paul directed Timothy to make include prayer for men who are in authority. The stated purpose of prayer for kings and them in authority is “that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (v. 2). Leading quiet, peaceable lives that testify of godliness and honesty is in accordance to God’s will. Prayer for kings and them in authority is a request that God act such His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. It is a request that the Lord God turn the heart of the king as He directs the flow of rivers of water (see Prov. 21:1). It is a request that God provide a path by which His will may be done.
It is good and acceptable that we should pray for those in authority over us. It is good and acceptable that we should call upon God to do only that which God can do. In verse 3, Paul refers to God as God our Savior. We know God because of that which He has done. He gave His only begotten Son such that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. We know a God who acts and responds to them who believe, a God who counts belief for righteousness. We know a God who would have all men believe and be saved.
God desires that all men should come to the knowledge of truth. God wants men to know Him. God wants all men to reach out to Him in faith. The truth that God would have men know is stated in verses 5 and 6. There is one God and one mediator between God and man. Men who do not know Christ Jesus as their mediator do not know God because they do not know truth. Christ, our mediator, gave himself to be the ransom for all.
Paul is not talking to hear himself talk. Paul knows Christ Jesus and he is speaking to Timothy who also knows Christ Jesus. There is a reason for Paul’s choice of words. That reason is found in that which God has done. Paul was ordained by God. Paul was made an apostle by God. Christ Jesus appeared to Paul (Saul) and spoke to him on the Damascus road. Paul believed and was changed by God. He was changed by God for God’s purposes — changed that he might be a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity (v. 7). Paul was chosen by God to communicate the truth of the gospel to the Gentiles. Communicating the gospel involves more than imparting knowledge. Communicating the gospel requires demonstration of faithfulness and integrity in word and by deed. Paul was chosen by God to communicate the gospel to Timothy whose father was a Gentile. It is for this purpose — God’s purpose that Paul advises Timothy upon the manner in which he might war a good warfare (I Tim. 1:18).
As stated earlier, warring a good warfare requires prayer of every kind for all men. Paul states, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (v. 8). The “lifting up” of holy hands is not about the physical act of raising hands. It is a physical gesture that reflects the condition of one’s heart and life. Wrath and doubting are barriers that separate men from God. One cannot hold up holy hands when separated from God by sin, wrath or doubt. One cannot make his own hands holy. God cleanses all who come to Him with open hearts. God responds to all who fervently seek Him.
Paul desired God’s will in the lives of all men. God would have all men war a good warfare. Let us pray without wrath or doubt. Let there be no conflict between our profession and our doings. Let us do as God directs.
