Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
1 TIMOTHY 2
Instructions on Worship
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 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.
8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 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, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
Application Notes
2:1-4 Although God is all-powerful and all-knowing, he has chosen to let us be involved through our prayers in how he is changing the world. How this works is a mystery to us because of our limited understanding, but it is a reality. While others angrily take sides on political issues, our first priority should be to pray for those in authority. We should pray that they will govern justly and equitably and that they will trust in Christ. Paul based his instruction about prayer for all people on his conviction that God's invitation for salvation extends equally to all people, whether we agree with their politics or not. The phrase all people captures the heart of the gospel. The world that God loves includes every person, even cruel dictators and terrorists (John 3:16). He loves us as individuals whom he knows intimately (Psalm 139:13-18). Our earnest prayers for others--whoever they are--will have powerful results (James 5:16).
2:2 We should pray for those in authority around the world-that they will govern justly and that we will have the proper attitude toward them. Paul's command to pray for kings is remarkable considering that Nero, a notoriously cruel ruler, was emperor at this time (AD 54-68). When Paul wrote this letter, persecution was a growing threat to believers. Later, when Nero needed a scapegoat for the great fire that destroyed much of Rome in AD 64, he blamed the Roman Christians so as to take the focus off himself. Then persecution erupted throughout the Roman Empire. Not only were Christians denied certain privileges in society, but some were even publicly butchered. burned. or fed to animals.
2:4 Both Peter and Paul said that God wants everyone to be saved (also see 2 Peter 3:9). This does not mean that all will be saved. because the Bible makes it clear that many reject Christ (Matthew 25:31-46; John 12:44-50; Hebrews 10:26-29). The gospel message has a universal scope; it is not directed only to people of one race, one sex, or one national background. God loves the whole world and sent His Son to save sinners (Galatians 3:26-28). His mercy and promise of salvation reaches you, your loved ones, and those who are still far away from him (Acts 2:39).
2:5-6 Though some people think there are many ways to God, in practice, each person must choose a single way. We can stand on one side of a gorge and discuss the possibility of many bridges across the abyss, but if we are determined to cross, we will have to realise that only one bridge is connected to the other side. Those who insist that there are many bridges to God usually fit into one of the following categories: (1) They have not personally committed to any "bridge." They think their belief that there are multiple ways to God will exempt them from having to choose one. (2) Their belief in many ways to God hides their true belief that finding God doesn't really matter at all. (3) They are convinced that arguing for many ways to God will insure that they won't be wrong. If there is only one way, their generalised belief will presumably have included it. (4) They have decided that believing in many ways to God requires less work than going to the trouble of actually considering the claims of various religious systems.
The facts remain: We human beings are separated from God by sin, and we need a savior--someone who will give us a way across the abyss of sin and back to God. Only one person in the universe can serve as our mediator and stand between us and God, bringing us together again: Jesus, who is both God and man. Jesus· sacrifice brings new life to all who believe and accept him (John 1:12). Have you let him bridge the gap between you and God?
2:7 Paul describes himself as a herald and apostle. He was given the special privilege of announcing the gospel to the Gentiles. He gives his credentials as an apostle in 1 Corinthians 15:7-11.
2:8 Besides displeasing God, anger and disputing make prayer difficult. That is why Jesus said that we should interrupt our prayers, if necessary, to make peace with others (Matthew 5:23-24). God wants us to obey him immediately and thoroughly. Our goal should be to have a good relationship with God and also with others.
2:9-15 To understand these verses, we must understand the situation in which Paul and Timothy worked. In first-century Jewish culture, women were not allowed to study. When Paul said that women should "learn in quietness and full submission: he was offering them an amazing new opportunity to learn God's Word. His instruction for them to listen and learn quietly and submissively refers to having an attitude of respect and composure, not to total silence. In addition. Paul himself acknowledged that women publicly prayed and prophesied (1 Corinthians 11:5). Apparently, however, the women in the Ephesian church were abusing their newly acquired Christian freedom. Because these women were new converts, they did not yet have the necessary experience, knowledge, or Christian maturity to teach those who already had extensive scriptural education.
2:9-10 Evidently, the Ephesian women were flaunting their clothing and makeup. It is not unscriptural for a woman to want to be attractive. Today, however, to what degree should women take this advice about fixing their hair or wearing gold, pearls, or expensive clothes? Paul was not prohibiting these things; he was simply saying that women should be careful about drawing attention to themselves through how they dress. Modesty and decency are the key ideas. Gentle, modest, and loving character gives a light to the face that cannot be duplicated by even the best cosmetics. A carefully groomed and well-decorated exterior may be artificial and cold without good character. The general rule for women and men emphasises that both behaviour and dress must express submission to and respect for Jesus Christ.
2:12 Some interpret this passage to mean that women should never teach in the assembled church; however, commentators point out that Paul did not forbid women from ever teaching. Paul's commended coworker Priscilla taught Apollos, the great preacher (Acts 18:24-26), and Paul frequently mentions other women who held positions of responsibility in the church. Phoebe worked in the church (Romans 16:1). Mary, Tryphena. Tryphosa and Persis were the lord's workers (Romans 16:6, 12), as were Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:21. Paul was very likely prohibiting the Ephesian women, not all women, from teaching (see the note on 1 Timothy 2:9-15).
Most likely, Paul did not want the Ephesian women to teach because they didn't yet have enough knowledge or experience. The Ephesian church had a particular problem with false teachers. Evidently, the women from Greco-Roman backgrounds were especially susceptible to the false teachings because they did not yet have enough biblical knowledge to discern correct doctrine (2 Timothy 3:1-9). In addition. some of the women were apparently flaunting their newfound Christian freedom by wearing inappropriate clothing (1 Timothy 2:9). Paul was telling Timothy not to put anyone (in this case, women) into a position of leadership who was not yet mature in the faith (see 3:6; 5:221. The same principle applies to churches today (see the notes on 3:6).
2:13-14 In previous letters. Paul had discussed male and female roles in marriage (Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-191. Here he talks about male and female roles within the church. Some interpreters see these verses about Adam and Eve as an illustration of what was happening in the Ephesian church. Just as Eve had been deceived in the Garden of Eden, the women in the church were being deceived by false teachers. And just as Adam was the first human created by God, the men in the church in Ephesus should be the first to speak and teach because they had more training. This view, then, stresses that Paul's teaching here is not universal but applies to churches with similar problems. Other interpreters, however, contend that the roles Paul points out are God's design for his created order--that God established these roles to maintain harmony in both the family and the church.
2:14 Paul is not excusing Adam for his part in the Fall (Genesis 3:6-7, 17-19). On the contrary, in his letter to the Romans, Paul places the primary blame for humanity's sinful nature on Adam (Romans 5:12-21).
2:15 This verse is confusing for many modern readers of Paul's letters. While there are several legitimate options for understanding Paul's meaning here, what is clear is that Paul does not say that the only way for women to be saved is by having children. Such an interpretation is a false teaching. Our salvation, whether we are male or female, comes from Christ alone.
2:15 The phrase saved through childbearing can be understood in several ways: (1) Women who fulfil their God-given roles are demonstrating true commitment and obedience to Christ. One of the most important roles for a wife and mother is to care for her family. (2) The childbearing mentioned here refers to the birth of Jesus Christ. Women (and men) are saved spiritually because of the most important birth, that of Christ himself. (3) This phrase refers to the lessons learned through the trials of childbearing. Through this experience, women can develop the qualities of love. trust. submission. sacrifice. and service. (4) Because man sinned, men were condemned to painful labour. Because woman sinned, women were condemned to pain in childbearing. Both men and women. however. can be saved through Christ by trusting and obeying him.
2:15 We should carefully balance sensitivity to women who never marry or cannot have children with encouragement of women who can have children because of the life-giving blessing God has given them. God knows each of our situations. If you or a loved one struggles with infertility or unwanted singleness, reflect on these verses: Psalms 68:5-6; 113:9; Isaiah 54:1-5; Galatians 4:27. If women without their own families desire to have children, they can take advantage of opportunities to show the love and sacrifice of a mother. an aunt. or a grandmother to others. Married women who are unable to have children still have the options of adopting. fostering. or intentionally drawing close to children. including nieces. nephews. and members of other families who may deeply want an aunt or grandmother in their lives. No matter what situation you find yourself in, draw close to Christ and look for ways to carry his loving presence to the people around you.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)