“Healthy Prayer for All People”
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College
2:1 First of all, then
● Option #1: The first response to the FT
● Option #2: Primary importance
2:1 I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people
● Do not neglect the emphasis on prayer by Paul in his letters and ministry.
● Paul lists four terms that overlap in nuance and are often interchangeable:
Personal requests
Prayers
Appeal to a king
Thanksgivings
2:2 For kings and all who are in high positions
● Mounce in his commentary states, “This practice becomes even more significant when it is remembered that Nero (A.D. 54-68) was emperor” (pg. 81).
2:2 The purpose: “so that we might live a life that is...”
● Peaceful – can be translated quiet or gentle. Notice this is the opposite of the
quarreling characteristic of the false teachers.
● Quiet – it does not mean complete silence but a posture and attitude of
humility and submission—1 Tim 2:11-12; 1 Pet 3:4; 1 Thess 4:11–12.
● Godly – remember one of our themes is godliness. This term was affiliated
with how one lives in reverence to one’s god(s).
● Dignified – can be translated as honorable in conduct.
2:3-4 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior who desires all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.
● Notice this contrast to what is “falsely called knowledge” (1 Tim 6:20).
● “Truth” here and in 2:7 stand in opposition to the false teaching.
2:5 There is one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ
● Adam/Jesus typology (significant if this chapter ends with Eve/Mary typology).
● The implication of monotheism is that the one God is God of all humanity.
● An echo of the Shema in Dt. 6:4 [see also 1 Cor 8:4].
● A mediator is “one who establishes a relationship where it would not otherwise exist” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament). Appropriate in the context of praying for Kings/Authorities.
● Notice here the emphasis on the Gentiles (the FT desired to be teachers of the law).
2:6 Gave himself as a ransom
● Notice the verbal parallels to Mark 10:45!
● Exodus echo: A price (ransom, redemption) that secures a freedom.
2:6 Which is the testimony given at the proper time
● [cf. 6:15; Titus 1:3; Gal. 4:4] connection to the concept of “mystery”
● Corrective to the FT (teachers of the law, circumcision, knowledge)
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.
● A statement of legitimate authority and integrity highlighting (contrast FT).
● I am telling the truth, and not lying (similar to “sincere conscience”)
Rom 9:1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying...
2 Cor 11:31 God...knows that I am not lying.
Seek the Welfare of the City
Jeremiah 29:7 — 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...
Titus 3:1 — Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work...
Romans 13:1-5 — Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God...
1 Peter 2:11–17 — Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles...Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
