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1 Timothy
Chapter 2
Theme: Public prayer and woman's place in the churches
Public Prayer (1 Tim.2:1-3)
Public prayer is prayer for the public and for public officials.
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (KJV)
I exhort therefore, that first of all . . . there are two main parts of public worship, that being the ministry of the Gospel and prayer. Paul orders Timothy to charge some, that they teach no other doctrine than that of the Gospel, the glorious Gospel of the blessed God (1 Tim.1;11) which was committed to his trust. He encourages Timothy to be faithful and diligent to the discharge of his work and office. Now Paul proceeds to prayer.
Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks . . . supplications means petitions for things that are wanted by men, either by themselves or others; and that could be either for their bodies or souls, as food and raiment for the body, and pardon, love, supplies of grace, spiritual peace and comfort for the soul. Prayers means good wishes and desires, directed and expressed to God for things that are in themselves to be wished for, and desired of God, either for ourselves or others. Intercessions means either complaints revealed in prayer against others that have done injuries; or prayers put up for others. It could mean the prevention of evil from them, or for the bestowing some good thing upon them. Giving of thanks should always be made to God. He does SO much good for us all, we should NEVER hesitate to thank Him for what He has done and what He will continue to do for us. Thank Him for mercies received, whether temporal or spiritual. This should,
Be made for all men . . . not just the saints, not only for close relations and friends, but for all the inhabitants of the country and city in which men dwell.
Paul establishes prayers as a part of the public ministry in the church of God, a main part! He would have these prayers put up for all orders and kinds of men, it seems with one exception spoken of by John (1 Jn.5:16). http://www.godcannotlie.org/first_john_ch5.htm
1 Timothy 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (KJV)
For kings, and for all that are in authority . . . Paul says we are to pray for the kings who rule. BUT . . . are we to pray when the government is corrupt? Yes! We are! Paul is saying we are to pray even if it is a corrupt government. We are to pray for whoever is in power. The man who was in power in Rome when Paul wrote was bloody Nero, yet Paul says we are to pray for kings, whoever they are.
That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty . . . any government is better than no government. Some people may question that, but an evil, corrupt government, if it really governs, is better than disorder. I agree 100% with those who say that politics is crooked. Man certainly has corrupted and misused political power! I would want to say that the vast majority of our government is crooked. But, we do have an appearance of law and order. Civil government is a put in by God. Maybe we should consider WHY God has put in such crooks. Do you think the answer could be that we as a nation have fallen away from God? Do you think that maybe the crooked government He is allowing is OUR fault? God really does try to get our attention! Do you think that all the crazy weather conditions are from “Mother Nature” as the ungodly news media say? God is in control of all nature. Don’t ever forget that! http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_earthquakes.1.htm
http://www.hisservants.org/tribulation_why_h_s.htm
http://www.lastdaysprophecy.org/L_D_ec_one_world_government.2.html
1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (KJV)
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour . . . it is good and acceptable to our God that we should pray for our rulers and all men, because our good and awesome God desires their salvation, and so it is agreeable to Him that we should pray for this. IF there were no provision made for their salvation, or IF He were not willing that they should be saved, it would not be agreeable to Him that we should offer prayer for them . . . BUT God has devised a Plan of salvation, and God loves all people, and it is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour that we should pray for these people to be saved.
Another reason why we should pray for government is that the Gospel might continue to go out to the lost. I think that TRUE believers in Christ shall encounter persecution in America in the very near future. It is already happening in the world. But is shall get worse! Paul was beginning to experience persecution himself, and he said the believers were to pray for the leaders who were responsible for it. It was good and acceptable in the sight of God to pray for these men, because it is God's will that all men might be saved.
God Desires Salvation for All Men (1 Tim.2:4-6)
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (KJV)
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth . . . both Peter and Paul said that God wants everyone to be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV) . . . So many scoff at the time delay of the Lord’s coming. These people simply do NOT understand the Truth of God’s Word! 2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (KJV) . . . Do you SEE what this says? God’s time-table and our time-table is NOT the same! Since it is over 2000 years since Jesus left this world to go to His Father’s right Hand (Heb.10:12; 12:2), on our clock . . . BUT it has been only 2 DAYS on God’s clock! Please do NOT scoff at the delay of Jesus’ Return!
Just because God is not willing that any should perish, does NOT mean that ALL shall be saved, because the Bible makes it very clear that MANY reject Christ.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV)
Matthew 25:31-46 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV)
John 12:44-50 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (KJV)
Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (KJV)
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has a universal range. 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 (1 Jn.2:2). NO one is outside God's mercy or beyond the reach of His offer of salvation. God wants ALL to come to the knowledge of the truth of Christ, who is the Truth (Jn.14:6), and to come in faith to Him (Jn.3:15-16,36; 1 Jn.5:10-13). God has devised ONE Plan, and that is JESUS! You CANNOT be saved by anything or anyone except JESUS!
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV) . . . VERY CLEAR! If you think you have another way . . . it will NOT work! Your way will lead to HELL! Only JESUS can get you to Heaven, where the Father is.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (KJV)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus . . . the Romans worshiped many gods, and today people worship many gods in a different way.
People give themselves over to many things . . . some to lust, pleasure, sports, wealth, power, etc. (1 Jn.2:16). The entertainment world has become a religion for many people. There are women who would sacrifice their virtue in a moment and men who would sacrifice their honor in order to become a movie or TV star. Football, Soccer, etc, is a god to millions. People have many different gods today, just as they did in the times of Paul. They even had an altar to THE UNKNOWN GOD (Acts 17:23) . . . but my friend, there is only one TRUE God.
And one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus . . .in the Old Testament times, the Israelite went to the Temple where there were many priests. He could go to God through them. Paul is saying that NOW there is only one Mediator to whom we are to go. We are NOT to go to ANY human being down here. It is NOT necessary to go through a pastor or priest or pope! We have a Mediator between God and man and that is JESUS! We need NO other! NO priest or pastor can take Jesus' place! (Heb.4:14-16; 6:19: 9:3-12; 10:19-23). http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_hebrews_ch4.htm
Although some people think there are many ways to God, they are WRONG according to the Bible. We as people, are standing on the side of a wide gorge . . . with Jesus and Heaven on the other side. The Bible tells us very clearly that there is ONE way across. See verse 4. JESUS is the only Bridge that can get us across that wide canyon!
CHRIST IS!
Christ is the Light, that shines in darkness,
The Light that can remove our blindness.
The Light that guides in paths I can’t see,
That leads us onward to eternity.
Christ is the Shepherd, of all God’s sheep,
The Shepherd whom our souls safely keep.
The Shepherd who supplies all our needs,
And to all our dangers, He pays heed.
Christ is the True Vine, that does empow’r,
The Vine that refreshes us, ev’ry hour.
The Vine that strengthens, so we endure,
He makes us holy, loving and pure.
Christ is the Bridge, from sinners to God,
The only Bridge, the wide world abroad.
The Bridge, crossing o’er judgment and Hell,
To a place where we, in bliss shall dwell.
Christ is the Key, to eternal Heav’n,
The Key to the mansion, God has given.
The Key to joy in eternity,
Where we’ll have peace and serenity.
Christ is our Saviour, our Lord and King,
The only Channel, to God’s blessings.
He’s our Redeemer, our debt He did pay,
That we might live, to see a better day.
This Jesus; what an amazing Man!
God’s only Son, who fulfilled His plan.
If you don’t know Him, He waits for you,
Open your heart’s door, to this Friend so true.
******************************
By: His servant, Connie Kramer Sept.2, 2001 # 811
(Mat. 1:21; John 3:15-18, 36; 10:1-16; 14:2-3, 6; 15:1-5; Ps. 19:14; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
IF we are firm in our desire to cross over, we will have to commit to that ONE Bridge. There are NOT many bridges to God, there is only ONE Bridge, and that is JESUS!!!
1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (KJV)
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time . . . ransom means a redemption price. Ransom is the penalty of sin that Jesus paid for you and for me on the cross! He paid a debt He did not owe, because we had a debt we could not pay. He redeemed us from HELL! Jesus paid a high price for our redemption. We were lost sinners, and He was the Ransom. We human beings are separated from God by sin and we need a Saviour. We need a way across the abyss of sin and eternal death and back to God. Only one Person in the entire Universe is our Mediator and can stand between us and God and bring us together again . . . Jesus, who is both God and man. Jesus' Sacrifice brought new life to all people. Have you let him bridge the gap between you and God?
Jesus is the Sum and Substance of what is before said is the Gospel, which is a testimony that concerns the Person, office and grace of Christ Jesus, displayed in the times of the Messiah, or the Gospel dispensation.
Paul's Commission Was to Teach the
Gospel to the Gentiles (1 Tim.2:7)
1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. (KJV)
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle . . . Paul was ordained or appointed to be a preacher of the Gospel before the world began (2 Tim.1:9), and was separated or set apart to it, and was put into the ministry of it by Christ Himself (Acts 9). Paul was not an ordinary preacher of the Word, but an apostle, an extraordinary officer in the Gospel church.
I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not . . . this is a sort of an oath, or an appeal to Christ the omniscient God, for the truth of what he said, concerning his ordination to the Gospel (Rom.9:1).
A teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity . . . Paul was to bring the Gospel to the uncircumcision (Rom.4:9-10; Gal.2:7; 5:6; 6:15; Eph.2:11). He was to preach to the uncircumcised Gentiles, and his work and ministry lay among them, and therefore he is called the apostle of the Gentiles.
This is something that Paul did not write to the churches, only to the pastors. He has said that he is an apostle of the Gentiles (1 Tim.2:7; Rom.11:13), and here he says that he is not only the apostle to give the Gospel, but he is also the one to teach the Gentiles.
How Women Should be Dressed (1 Tim.2:8-10)
1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (KJV)
I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting . . .
Paul is saying, I desire that men pray everywhere . . . in every place where believers meet. Paul is talking about public prayer, prayer in the public service. Lifting up holy hands . . . this was a custom practiced in the early church. It revealed the devotion in the lives of those praying.
There is nothing wrong with lifting up your hands if it is something you feel you want to do. Paul says holy hands. Are your hands holy? This would mean that they are hands dedicated to God's service. Without wrath . . . have all your sins have been confessed? You better not come in prayer with anger in your heart, or with a bitter spirit, but with all your sins confessed.
Without doubting . . . Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (KJV) . . . When we come to God in prayer, we are to come in faith, with NO doubt in your heart or mind! We must believe that God is going to hear us, and that He is going to answer our prayer. He may not answer you think He should, but He will answer!
Public prayer should be made in public services by those who have their sins confessed, who come with NO bitterness in their hearts, and who come in faith, believing that God will hear and answer.
How Women Are To Pray (1 Tim.2:9-15)
Paul has given the way that men should pray, now he will say how women are to pray. This Passage will also touch on the matter of women's dress and their place in the local church.
We live in a day when there are two extreme positions relative to the place women should occupy in the local and visible church. Both positions use this Passage of Scripture to support their stand. #1. The first extreme position permits women to occupy a place of prominence and leadership in all public services. They have women preachers, choir directors, and officers. No position is withheld from them and, as a result, the women are not only prominent but in reality they become dominant (above men) in the church. #2. The other extreme position is taken by those who do not allow women any place at all in their public services. You never hear the voice of a woman in public in their meetings, not even in singing. They push their women to the background, and they lose a lot of talent because the women could make a wonderful contribution if they were permitted to do so.
Let's first consider that God indeed has used women in the Bible. In the Word of God we see Miriam, Deborah, Queen Esther, Ruth, Isaiah’s wife, Anna, Phillip’s daughters, and others. There are multitudes of women whom God has used in a wonderful way, then and now. Some were prophetesses: (Ex.15:20; Judg.4:4; 2 Ki.22:14; 2 Chron.34:22; Neh.6:14; Lk.1:48; 2:36, Acts 17:8-9).
BUT . . . in the Roman world in the time of Paul, women were a big part of all the heathen religions, and they occupied a prominent place there. The worship of Aphrodite at Corinth was probably one of the most immoral in which prostitution was actually a religion. The thousand vestal virgins who were in the temple of Aphrodite on top of the Acropolis there in Corinth were nothing but prostitutes. They were characterized by disheveled hair. The reason God said that a woman should have her head covered (1 Cor.11:5), was so she would not be associated with the religions like this. Also, in Ephesus where Timothy was at this time, women occupied a very prominent position in the worship at the temple of Diana. In all the mystery religions there were priestesses. It is because of these heathen practices that Paul is emphasizing in this Passage that women were not to enter into the public prayer in the services of the Christian churches. We should consider this Passage with these things in mind.
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (KJV)
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel . . . Paul’s next instruction to be urged by Timothy, is concerning the habits of women, especially when they come to worship God in the public assemblies. They should adorn themselves in modest apparel or dress decently. Women are prone to love fine dress; and at Ephesus the riches of some (1 Tim.6:17), would lead them to dress luxuriously. Also see (Tit.2:3).
With shamefacedness and sobriety . . . Paul tells Timothy that the women should be modest and sensible about their clothes and to dress properly and suitable to a person's age and situation.
Not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array . . . not with hair platted or curled, not adorned with ornaments of gold, or pearls, or costly array. Paul does not condemn these ornaments where they are suited to the quality of women, but where they are too excessive with respect to the purse of those that wear them, or take up more time to be spent in putting them on than is fit to be so spent, especially on the Lord’s day, or where they are put on out of pride, or to make a vain show, this he condemns, as in (1 Pet.3:3). http://www.godcannotlie.org/1_peter_ch.3.htm
Paul tells Timothy that the women should be modest and sensible about their clothes and to dress properly; not with fancy hair styles or with gold ornaments or pearls or expensive dresses they could not afford.
It is not unscriptural for a woman to want to be attractive. BUT . . . 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 not be drawing attention to themselves through these things. Modesty and decency are the key words. All women would do well to remember that beauty begins on the inside. A gentle, modest, loving character brings a light to the face that cannot be duplicated by even the best cosmetics. A carefully groomed and decorated exterior is artificial and cold unless INNER beauty is present. The basic rule for both women and men emphasizes that both behavior and dress must express submission to and respect for Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (KJV)
But (which becometh women professing god likeness) with good works . . . works are often mentioned in the Pastoral Epistles to show how they oppose lazy, loose living, joined with the damnable heresies (2 Pet.2:1) of the false teachers. The discharge of everyday duties to God is good works. The ornament of good works is the best than can become women who profess godliness. Good works are like good clothes, to which the apostle refers. Good clothes do not make persons men and women, they simply adorn them as such. So too, good works, do not make men and women Christians, or believers, but they adorn them as such; good works are ornaments to their persons, and to their profession, and to the Gospel they profess. (Tit.2:10).
http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_titus_ch2.htm
Women Not Permitted to Teach (1 Tim.2:11-14)
1 Timothy 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. (KJV)
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection . . . Paul also gives other instructions to women, as to how they should behave in public worship. They were not to speak in public, but ask their own husbands at home (1 Cor.14:34-35). They were to behave both to the ministers of the Word, and to their own husbands; obeying from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to them; and submitting cheerfully to the ordinances of Christ; because a professed obedience to the Gospel becomes all professing godliness.
1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (KJV)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence . . . Paul tells Timothy that they may teach in private, in their own homes, and they are to be teachers of good things (Tit.2:3). They are to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph.6:4); nor is the law or doctrine of a mother to be forsaken, any more than the instruction of a father (Pro.1:8; 31:1-4). There is no doubt that Timothy received great advantage from the private teachings and instructions of his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. But, in that dispensation, that time period, Paul said that they were not to teach in the church; for that is an act of power and authority, and supposes the persons that teach to be of a superior degree, and in a superior office, and to have superior abilities to those who are taught by them. Women were not to assume or seize usurp authority over the man
in civil, political and religious things, nor in things relating to domestic affairs of the family. For a woman to take upon herself to do this, is to usurp an authority over the man.
1 Timothy 2:11-12 is a Difficult Scripture
This Passage is usually interpreted to mean that during church services, women were to remain silent in the presence of men, showing their complete spiritual subjection to God and Christ Jesus. Women were not to teach during Sabbath school, nor are they to teach in any manner during the preaching service (butt in to the sermon), for to do so would be usurping authority over the men that are present. Women were to be obedient and submissive to God and their husbands (Tit.2:5). My comment on this follows:
Comment: Submission is a very important issue in relation to marriage. Submission is a word most married women do not want to consider or hear. But, even before sin entered the world, there was the principle of headship (1 Tim.2:13). Adam was created first, and Eve was created to be a "helper" for Adam (Gen.2:18-20). Since there was NO sin at that time, the only authority was God’s authority. Then Eve and Adam disobeyed God (Gen.2:17; 3:6). When SIN entered the world, authority was now needed. God established the laws of the land and also provided us with the protection we need. First, we need to submit to God, which is really the only way we can truly obey Him (Jam.1:21; 4:7).
Husbands are also to submit to their Head. 1 Cor. 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (KJV) . . . Husbands are to submit to Christ, just as Christ submitted to God the Father. Then the verse says that the wife should follow his example and submit to her husband.
May I say that I found a very good definition of submission. Submission is cooperating voluntarily. I like that!
Submission is a natural response to loving leadership. When a husband loves his wife as Christ loves the church (Eph.5:25-33), submission is very EASY! It is a natural response from a wife to her husband. Submitting to God, the government or a husband is NOT a one-time thing! It is a continual, repeated approach. It becomes a habit, a pattern of behavior. The submission talked about in Ephesians 5, is absolutely NOT a one-sided subjection (hopelessness, enslavement or oppression) of a believer to a selfish, domineering person. Biblical submission is intended to be between two Spirit-filled believers who are jointly yielded to each other and to God in love.
Submission is a two-way street. Submission is a position of honor and completeness. When a wife is loved as the church is loved by Christ, submission is never difficult. Eph. 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (KJV) . . . This is saying that the wife is to submit to her husband in everything that is right and lawful. BUT . . . the wife is under NO obligation to disobey the law or God in submitting to her husband.
Spirit-filled believers are to be reverent, respectful (5:19), thankful (5:20), and submissive (5:21). A wife should submit to her husband, NOT because women are inferior, but because that is how God intended the marriage relationship to work. Submission is NOT a wife being a doormat for her husband to walk on. Instead, with the help of the Holy Spirit, a wife submits (cooperates voluntarily) to her husband, and a husband sacrificially loves his wife.
Although those in Christ there is no distinction (Gal.3:28), yet the Christian life does NOT put an end to the natural distinctions ordained by God. It recognizes them in order to inform them with its higher life. (1 Cor.11:3,7-10; 14:35; Eph.5:22-24,33; Col.3;18; Tit.2;5; 1 Pet.3:1-6).
1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (KJV)
For Adam was first formed, then Eve . . . man had the priority of the woman in his creation, he was not made for her, but she was made for a help-mate mate for him; therefore she, being made for him, should not usurp authority over him.
Immediately by God, out of the dust of the ground; and the breath of life was breathed into him (Gen.2:7), Adam became a living soul; thus wonderfully and fearfully was he made. After this he was put into the garden of Eden, to care for it, and all creatures were brought to him, to give them names; and still an help meet or a companion was not found for him. All this time, Eve was not as yet formed, but after this, she was formed out of him, out of one of his ribs (Gen.2:21-22); and was made for him, for his use, service, for help and comfort. Here lies the strength of the apostle Paul's reason, why the woman should be in subjection to the man; not so much because he was made before her; for so were the beasts of the field before Adam; and yet this gave them no superiority to him; but because she was made out of him, and made for him (1 Cor.11:8-9). So the woman's subjection to the man is according to the laws of nature and creation. The world is getting further and further away from this Truth.
1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (KJV)
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression . . . Eve was deceived by the serpent; but Adam was persuaded by his wife (Gen.3:17). Eve says, The serpent beguiled me . . . since she was more easily deceived, she more easily deceives (2 Cor.11:3). Although last in being, she was first in sin! The serpent knew that she was the weaker vessel (1 Per.3:7), SO, he tempted her, not Adam, and she yielded to the temptations. And Adam was not deceived. Another reason why the woman should occupy a subordinate rank in all things, is that in the most important situation in which she was ever placed, she had shown that she was not qualified to take the lead.
But the woman being deceived . . . Eve was made to believe that the fruit would not hurt her, but would make her wise, and that God would not fulfil His threat of death. Sin, from the beginning, has been a process of delusion. Every man or woman who violates the law of God is deceived as to the happiness which is expected from the violation, and as to the consequences which will follow it.
1 Timothy 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (KJV)
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety . . . it was Eve’s sin that brought sin into the world. Since then, every time a woman bears a child, she brings a sinner into the world. The change from the personal Eve to the generic woman is further marked by the change from the singular (she) to the plural (they).
If they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety . . . Faith . . . is faith in Jesus and in Divine Truth, and faithfulness in serving God. Charity . . . is love to all (1 Cor.13). Holiness . . . is devout, good, humble and righteous. She must be God fearing. With sobriety . . . all the above must be united with a sober or serious attitude (1 Tim.2:9).
The natural explanation of the Passage is that the special temporal punishment pronounced against the woman, immediately after her sin, in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children (Gen.3:16), is what Paul evidently refers to here. Childbirth has ever since been endured by all women, and was a reminder of the special guilt of Eve in yielding to the cleverness of the serpent.
Spiritual and eternal salvation is NOT here meant; because bearing children is NOT the cause, condition or means of salvation; for that is NOT God's way of salvation.
Salvation here does NOT mean salvation of the soul, but instead salvation to her position in the church. From what Paul has been saying in this chapter about women, some may think that women have no place in God’s purpose of the church. I do not think Paul meant it this way. Even though Paul did not assign her a place in the church, she does have a very important ministry. I think God has decreed that a woman’s place is in the home, even though Women’s Lib will disagree with me (and God). This is Paul's reason for stating the headship of men (1 Tim.2:11-14; 2 Cor.11:3).
Women must not think themselves excused from learning what is necessary to salvation, but they must NOT usurp authority. As woman was last in the creation, which is one reason for her subjection, so she was first in transgression. But there is a word of comfort; that those who continue in sobriety, shall be saved in child-bearing. The special sorrow to which women are subject, should cause men to exercise their authority with much gentleness, tenderness and affection.
1 Timothy
ch.1 . . ch.2 . . ch.3 . . ch.4 . . ch.5 . . ch.6 . . Special Comments
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