Daily Devotional Wednesday 27th July 2022

by William Moody

1 Timothy 2

Pray for All People

2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man1 Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Footnotes

[1] 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4

(ESV)

Paul in speaking to women is not banning all interest in outward beauty but rather encourages them to concentrate on the inward beauty which God cares more about (v9-10).

The Bible teaches clearly that men and women are equal before God, equally made in God’s image, equally sinners and equally redeemed by Christ. The Bible also teaches clearly that men and women have different roles in the home and in the church. Paul is teaching that the leadership role is for men and women need to accept this if they are going to be godly (v11-12).

The reason for submission Paul teaches was not cultural for his day but goes back to the order of creation when Adam was made first and then Eve was made as a helper for him (v13). When Adam and Eve went against the created order and Eve took the leadership role the fall took place (v14).

In accepting this Biblical teaching, we need to ask do we trust the Creator’s wisdom or do we know better?

Verse 15 has two possible interpretations. Either Paul is speaking about the great dignity that there is in motherhood, or this verse is speaking of the motherhood of Mary which would see the Saviour coming into the world.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.