God Speaks
Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.
2 Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.[a] 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth: 5 That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together, 6 by giving his life for all mankind.
This is the message that at the proper time God gave to the world. 7 And I have been chosen—this is the absolute truth—as God’s minister and missionary to teach this truth to the Gentiles and to show them God’s plan of salvation through faith.
8 So I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from sin and anger and resentment. 9-10 And the women should be the same way, quiet and sensible in manner and clothing. Christian women should be noticed for being kind and good, not for the way they fix their hair or because of their jewels or fancy clothes. 11 Women should listen and learn quietly and humbly.
12 I never let women teach men or lord it over them. Let them be silent in your church meetings. 13 Why? Because God made Adam first, and afterwards he made Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was fooled by Satan, but Eve, and sin was the result. 15 So God sent pain and suffering to women when their children are born, but he will save their souls if they trust in him, living quiet, good, and loving lives.
Source: The Living Bible: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: In this section of the letter, Paul gives Timothy specific directions as to the ministry he is called to do. It begins with prayer. In prayer for others, Timothy is to focus on asking for God’s mercy to rest upon people, thanking Him in the process even before it is evident in the here and now. Timothy is to “start at the top” by praying for the king, rulers, and all those in positions of authority. The purpose of these interactions with God is that we can live quiet and peace-filled lives with our thoughts and actions focused on bringing glory to God. This pleases God very much so that He rescues us or walks with us in our struggles. God wants everyone to be saved by accepting as fact that there is only one God, and the only way for people to be with Him is through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus stands between God and all people reaching in both directions to bring the two parties together. Jesus bridged the gap between sin-filled, cursed human beings and the only Holy God by taking the punishment our sins deserved on Himself on the cross. Paul was training Timothy to take this good news to people everywhere just as he himself was. Paul wanted every person to love, worship, and serve God, both men and women. Men were to lift holy hands in prayer not in quarrelling and anger (with their wives or children or at other people). Women were not to be concerned with fancy hair styles, jewelry, or clothes but on living in a quiet, sensible manner, doing good and being kind. Because of sin and the curse (caused by first Eve, then Adam being tricked by Satan), men were forced to work hard while women experienced increased pain in birthing children. However, both would be saved by a special one of their descendants–the God-promised Messiah (Jesus).
Prayer: Dear awesome and loving God who wants His children to bring their concerns to Him, thank You for giving us the privilege of discussing everything with You. You tell us to talk with You earnestly and humbly about the needs of others, to ask for Your viewpoint on their situation, to stand between You and them to bring the two together, and to thank You even before we see the fulfillment of our requests. You want us to do this for everyone (even our enemies). Your word through Paul is, “Start at the top” by praying for the king, rulers, and all those in positions of authority. You say the purpose of these interactions with You is that we can live quiet and peace-filled lives with our thoughts and actions focused on bringing glory to You. This pleases You very much. As we do so, You will rescue us or walk with us in our struggles. You want everyone to be saved by accepting as fact that You are the only God, and the only way for people to be with You now and forever is through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus stands between You and all people, reaching in both directions to bring the parties together. Jesus bridged the gap between sin-filled, cursed human beings and You, the only Holy God, by taking the punishment our sins deserved on Himself on the cross. Just as Paul trained Timothy to take this good news to people everywhere, may I work so that every person I’m responsible for comes to willingly love, worship, and serve You. I pray for both men and women. May the men I pray for lift holy hands in prayer not in quarrelling and anger (with their wives, children or other people). May the women I intercede for not to be concerned with fancy hair styles, jewelry, or clothes but on living in a quiet, sensible manner, doing good, and being kind. Protect us all from the deceitfulness of Satan, this sinful world, and our own corrupted natures. I affirm that we will all be saved by keeping our faith focused on Jesus, trusting, and obeying Him. AMEN
Action: (Ask the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will use this chapter as a guide as I pray for those in positions of authority in my own family, in my village or neighborhood, in my city, in my county, in my state or province, in my nation or country, and in other countries or regions.
- I will search out ways to assist those in authority rather than criticize them, then do it.
- I will pray for my enemies. That the Lord would bless them with a knowledge of Himself and His will whatever the matter.
- I will pray that we will all come to a knowledge of God and live quiet and peace-filled lives that glorify Him.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.