A Call to Prayer
This unit deals first with prayer (2:1–7) and...
This unit deals first with prayer (2:1–7) and with the deportment of men and women (2:8–10). It closes with the question of women and teaching (2:11–15).
Paul moves to the areas of conduct in...
Paul moves to the areas of conduct in God’s household that were affected by the false teachers (3:15). Community life had been corrupted in worship and gender roles (2:1–15) and leadership (3:1–13).
Here, prayer focuses on the church’s mission, which...
Here, prayer focuses on the church’s mission, which suggests that the false teachers had brought the church into disrepute in the wider society (cp. 3:6–7; 6:1; Titus 2:5) and hampered its mission to the Gentiles.
1First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. 3This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Compact teachings, as in this passage, occur throughout...
Compact teachings, as in this passage, occur throughout the letters to Timothy and Titus (see also 1 Tim 3:16; 2 Tim 1:9–10; 2:8, 11–13; Titus 3:4–7). They might be adapted bits of creeds, hymns, or prayers that were known to the churches. The doctrines referenced probably relate to Paul’s trouble with the false teachers; it appears that their teaching undercut the universal appeal of the Good News and the effectiveness of the Gentile mission. The false teachers also had a deficient understanding of Jesus and his salvation.
5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.
7For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything. 8Therefore I want the men everywhere† to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.
Instructions to Women
The subject is still community prayer. to be...
- The subject is still community prayer.
- to be modest in their appearance: Christian women must praise God rather than seek to be praised by people (cp. 1 Pet 3:3–5). They are to do good deeds for others, not focus on enhancing their appearance or being sexually seductive. Jewelry and expensive clothes imply wealth (see 1 Tim 6:5–10, 17–19), which might have played into the power struggles Timothy had to combat (2:11–15).
9Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.
Paul is still talking about women in the...
Paul is still talking about women in the assembly—here, in their relationship to public teaching (cp. 1 Cor 11:2–16; 14:33–36; 2 Cor 11:3).
11A woman† must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man;† she is to remain quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. 14And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. 15Women, however, will be saved† through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.