The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 2 (1)

Pray 72.18, 19.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen.

Read and meditate on 1 Timothy 2.1, 2.

Preparation.
1. Explain the different kinds of prayers Paul mentions in these verses.

2. Paul doesn’t suggest concerning such prayers; he exhorts. What’s the difference?

Meditate.
1 Timothy 2 addresses the role of men and women in the church. We may find some of what Paul says difficult to receive, but if we do, it will be because we are seeking to impose on Scripture a contemporary view of the way we think things ought to be, but missing the rich truth Paul sets forth.

First, Paul exhorts Timothy concerning prayer. He insists that, in the church, all kinds of prayers should be going up in all kinds of places (v. 8) for all kinds of people. The Church, which is the temple of the Lord (Eph. 2.19-22), is intended to be, like the ancient temple, a house of prayer (cf. Matt. 21.12, 13). Each believer is also a temple of the Lord (1 Cor. 6.19) and should therefore likewise be a source of all kinds of prayers in all kinds of places.

We are a far cry from being either of those, to be sure. Before we get upset or defensive or haughty about the roles of men and women in the church, let’s concentrate on the role of prayer in the church and the believer. Paul exhortsbecause the kind of prayer he has in mind here really matters. It matters more than anything else. Prayer is the defining practice, both of a local church and each believer.

All kinds of prayers, too: for ourselves (supplications), of praise (prayers), for others (intercessions), and thanksgiving. We should pray for “all men” – that is, all people, beginning with those we see throughout the week in our Personal Mission Field, and including general prayers for all the people of the world. Our prayers should include those who serve in government, in particular, that they would serve us for good, as God intends (Rom. 13.1-4), allowing believers and their communities to flourish (v. 2), and the Kingdom of God to come on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6.10, 33).

The pastor’s primary job is to ensure that the people in his care are receiving sound teaching and learning to love, following the Law of God (chapter 1). His second responsibility is to work to make his congregation, and each of its members, true houses of prayer. We who are the flocks of the Lord must be similarly concerned, for ourselves and for our churches.

Obviously, we need to work harder at each of these priorities.

Reflect.
1. How would you describe the practice of prayer in your church? In your personal life? What can you do to improve each of these?

2. What did Paul see as the outcomes we should be seeking in prayer? How do these goals for prayer mesh with the goals for learning we observed in chapter 1?

3. Why did Paul exhort Timothy regarding this matter of prayer? Should believers exhort one another for prayer? Explain.

These exercises of godliness maintain and even strengthen us in the sincere worship and fear of God, and cherish the good conscience of which he had spoken. Not inappropriately does he make use of the word therefore, to denote an inference; for those exhortations depend on the preceding commandment. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on 1 Timothy 2.1

Lord, as I would learn to love more, so give me a heart to pray more, specifically to pray…

Pray Psalm 72.15-20.
Let the Spirit lead you to thank God for David – the author of this psalm – and for Solomon – for whom it was composed – and for Jesus – Who fulfills its promise completely. Bless and praise Him for all the specific ways His Kingdom has come in and through your life.

Sing Psalm 72.15-20.
Psalm 72.18-20 (Martyrdom: Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed)
Let Christ be praised and all the gold of Sheba be His right.
Let blessings to His Name be told, and prayers made both day and night. 

And let the earth abound with grain, let fields His fame proclaim.
And may our King forever reign and nations bless His great Name.

Now bless the God of Israel Who wondrous works performs. 
And bless His Name, His glory tell both now and forever more!

T. M. Moore

Men, we encourage you to follow Paul’s exhortation and to join our Men’s Prayer Movement. Watch this brief video (click here), then download the brochure that accompanies it. Get started praying more consistently, and enlisting other men to pray, by ordering two copies of If Men Will Pray, a fuller exposition of 1 Timothy 2. 1-8, by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).