1 Timothy 2 - Centered

Today, jumping into chapter 2 of 1 Timothy, it is crucial to remember the context of this letter. As I said yesterday, this letter was written from Paul to Timothy, a mentee and very close friend of Paul. So close, he calls him son. When Paul was released from prison in Rome, he discovered that the church in Ephesus was straying from preaching and teaching the true Gospel of Jesus that Paul left them with. These false teachings and teachers were utterly distorting the message of Christ, and Paul sends Timothy to get this back on track. 

Here in chapter 2, we focus on directions for the church. It is very interesting to see what Paul focuses on, but at the same time, you might want to pay attention to what Paul chose not to address. Think about what churches might split over today, or where church members might find disagreement - worship services, music, finances, governance, and so on. None of these Paul focused on, mainly because that is not where the issues were. Let’s see what Paul focused on;

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” - ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul dives right into prayer. What should the church be focused on? Prayer! Prayer for ALL PEOPLE. God, our Savior, wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. Right out of the gate, Paul brings people to the truth of our mission. The mission is clear to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. ALL PEOPLE. 

We need to realize that since Paul opened with this, then we recognize that this was not happening. It is human nature to turn inward, to become selfish, and no reach out to all people. This happens in all churches, and Paul realized this and brought caution to us with these words. Next inside of these few verses, we see that Paul specifically asks for prayer for kings and all those in authority. This is also intentional and leads us to realize it was a problem. The church in Ephesus was not honoring the in this way, and these false teachers were usurping authority all over the place. I love how the text also uses “we,” Paul puts himself in the camp of someone in authority and speaks this over Timothy as we. 

“for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” - ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is a reason again why Paul communicates to those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives...This is because these false teachers were not peaceful or quite. Leadership and authority do not need or require us to be loud, hostile, and authoritarian. Our world may point us to leaders who are loud, strong, and authoritarian, but Paul wants to shut this down and point people to the real way of leading, leading as a servant leader. 

Next, we read another critical concern in the church at the time. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.. 

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose, I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.” - ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:5-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul brings this because these false teachers were inserting themself in an authoritarian and dishonest way, becoming a mediator to God for the people of the church. THIS IS A PROBLEM! I think this is also something we need to be very careful in today's church as well. Who are we putting upon an idol, who are we worshiping other the Christ Jesus alone? There is only one God and one mediator, and we need to keep this straight! 

No, we dive into what the false teachers were doing among the men and the women. We see this looked different, and Paul wanted to bring clarity to what was happening in the church of Ephesus. 

“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” - ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This was a specific message to the men because the men in the church of Ephesus were arguing and fighting in angry ways of theology. This in no way reflected the heart of Christ, and Paul wanted to shut this down and focus the men on prayer. Moving away from anger and fighting, centering them on praying. 

And for women, we see how these false teachings were impacting differently. There was a real problem at the time where the church was turned into a fashion show, and the majority of women could not afford to dress this way and, therefore, would not feel comfortable coming to church. But another significant issue is the more profound concern, the concern of another type of idol, the idol of self-worth, and where real beauty comes from. 

“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” - ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One teacher I listened to this morning simplified it this way. Men, you are called to something greater, let go of arguing and disputing and replace it with praying. Women, you are called to something greater, let go of the obsession of your appearance and replace it with good deeds. 

Christ is at the center of this message, and that should center us as well. These were issues of the church of Ephesus! What are our current issues that are pulling us away from being centered on Jesus? No matter what that issue is for you, or me, we can point back to prayer. Prayer is essential to center us on our God and our Savior. May we be centered today on Jesus, and God may we glorify you and honor you with our actions. Amen.