Saturday, 31 January 2015

Words for The Wise, Commissioned for Ministry, 1 Timothy 2 NIV



1 Timothy 2 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Instructions on worship

2 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 Saviour, 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[a] should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] 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[c] will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Women should be silent, unappealing to the eye and not be a leader!
1 Timothy 2 from Elim Missions

I don't actually believe that title, I used it to grab your attention.
But some people do.

They like their women to be a certain type of woman. By 'they', I mean the men, the opposite sex who are experts in the field of what is acceptable or not have here verses in the Bible that support their graciousness.

For centuries the great minds of New Testament Greek and Theology have hotly debated what Paul really meant.

So let me join in the fun with a few of my own simple thoughts:

1. This is Paul's letter to Timothy, 1:1-2, it is not a universal letter.
2. The Ephesus church were believing a lot of false strange teaching, 1:3.
3. Paul wanted men to pray, we assume rightly this also applied to women, 2:8
4. The reason why he mentions the men is because it looks like the only hands they were lifting were their own fists.
5. Paul's dress code in v9 is just that, Paul's and even then it is not about the outward appearance as much as the outward actions of a good lifestyle. What good is it for a woman to look beautiful but conduct herself in an ugly way?
6. Quietness is not silence, v11
7. The best learning environment is not loud and noisy with a disrespectful disarray, that's the point of v11 and we assume rightly this also applies to men as Paul indicated earlier their use of 'clenched fists'.
8. Who is the woman Paul has in mind? This is not women in general but a singular woman. She presumably was teaching false doctrines and she was assuming authority over men. The word to focus on is not authority as is the word assuming. The word carries meanings of arrogance, presumptuous and forcefully taking over as opposed to being invited to do so. Paul would not let the woman in question do that.

Not everyone believes the above, by and large these tend to be men.

Oh and a word on child-bearing, which along with other things is a mirror of our salvation process. It doesn't matter how many children women have, if the lifestyle doesn't match up, it may look like a salvation experience but it isn't.


The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

Prayer for the Church's Mission (2:1-7)

Whoever coined the phrase "can't see the forest for the trees" could easily have had in mind the local congregation's view of its task in the worldwide church's mission enterprise. "Local" work is certainly important and in need of prayer. Yet sometimes we lose sight of the fact that this work is a part of a larger task that has been set before the worldwide church to accomplish in unison. Today's church is perhaps already fragmented beyond the point of achieving such unity. But wherever cooperation is possible, the original plan to reach all nations calls for the parts to recognize the whole.

When Paul turns to the matter of instructing the church, the subject he first broaches is that of prayer. The instruction, which runs through verse 7, has two parts. First is the command to pray, which is itself twofold. The church is to pray for all people and for kings and those who are in authority. Each aspect of this prayer is directly related to the church's evangelistic mission. Then comes the rationale behind the command: the salvation of all people everywhere is God's will. The subsequent creedlike material demonstrates the universal scope of God's will to save, reflecting on God's nature and Christ's sacrifice. A final personal reference submits the apostle's call to the Gentiles as proof of God's expansive redemptive plan and the church's need to be involved in it.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series

Men and Women in Worship (2:8-15)

How are men and women to behave and relate to one another in the church? This question and this particular passage have been on the minds of many in recent times. For many, the passage before us has been regarded as a major hill to be taken in an interpretive battle. But the teaching of 2:11-15 is just one piece in a larger puzzle, and by itself it is incapable of providing a complete answer. Specific circumstances required Paul to answer the question asked above in specific ways. The concern here will not be to generalize those specifics but rather to set out the issues that Paul addressed and those that we must consider in the church today.

When Paul instructed men and women (some think husbands and wives were specifically in view) in his churches (see also 1 Cor 11:2-16; 14:33-35), the immediate problem was disturbances in the worship service. On the one hand, changing attitudes about the man-woman relationship led women to assert themselves in the worship service in ways that threatened unity and perhaps also reflected a disregard for biblical and cultural distinctions between men and women. Disruptions by women included inquiring about the meaning of prophecies (1 Cor 14:33-35) and teaching men (1 Tim 2:11-12). But the present passage also reveals that the anger and arguments of some men were contributing to the disruption of the church's worship service. As pointed out above (see on 2:1), Paul drew upon certain material in such cases in order to restore peace to the community by encouraging appropriate behavior. In this his concern both for biblical patterns and for the perceptions of those outside of the church is evident.

His instructions are given in two parts. First, they encourage cooperative behavior among men in the worship service in relation to the specific task of prayer outlined above. Second, women are instructed concerning appropriate dress and then concerning appropriate behavior in the worship setting in relation to teaching.

The Bible Panorama

1 Timothy 2

V 1–2: ACCESS Paul’s first exhortation to Timothy is in the realm of prayer. Nothing is more important than to use this means of grace which gives us access to God. The Christian should pray especially for kings and those in authority, in order that a life that is quiet, peaceful, godly and reverent may be lived.

V 3–7: ALL In urging Timothy to pray, Paul reminds him that God ‘desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’. Christ ‘gave himself a ransom for all’, and this involves not only preaching, but praying, which should be done peacefully and faithfully everywhere. The message to preach and to support in prayer is of ‘one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus’.

V 8–10: APPROPRIATENESS Paul uses the ‘lifting up holy hands’ as a picture of prayer, and reminds the women that they should be dressed appropriately and that godliness and good works are more important than the outward show of riches and fashion.

V 11–15: AUTHORITY Paul emphasises the authority of men in leading the church, so that women do not have the role of leaders or teachers in the church. This has been so since creation and was evidenced by Eve’s seeking to lead Adam, which led him into his own sin in following her weakness to Satan’s temptation. Paul corrects the wrong conclusion of some, however, that because a woman was involved in that, there is now something wrong about childbearing. He confirms that, like anyone else, a mother can know God’s salvation. It is demonstrated by resultant ‘faith, love, and holiness with self-control’.

Dictionary of Bible Themes

8115 discipleship, nature of

The state of following Jesus Christ, and serving and obeying him. The NT stresses the privileges, joys and cost of this calling.

Discipleship involves learning

Learning from God Jn 6:45 See also Isa 54:13; Lev 11:44-45; Lev 19:2; Lev 20:7; Eph 5:1-2; 1Pe 1:15-16

Learning from Jesus Christ Mt 11:29 See also Jn 13:15; Eph 4:20-21; Php 2:5; 1Pe 2:21; 1Jn 2:6

Learning from the Holy Spirit Jn 14:26 See also Lk 12:12; Jn 16:13; 1Co 2:13; Eph 1:17; Eph 3:16-19; 1Pe 1:12

Learning from other people Php 4:9 See also Dt 4:10; Dt 5:1; Dt 31:12; 1Co 4:6,16; 1Co 11:1; Php 3:17; 2Th 3:7,9; 1Ti 2:11; 1Ti 5:4; 2Ti 3:14

Learning to do what is good Tit 3:14 See also Ps 34:14; Ps 37:27; Isa 1:17; Isa 26:9; 3Jn 11

Jesus Christ calls people to be his disciples

Mt 4:19 pp Mk 1:17 See also Mt 4:21 pp Mk 1:20 Jesus Christ calls James and John; Mt 8:21-22 pp Lk 9:59-60; Mt 9:9 pp Mk 2:14 pp Lk 5:27 Jesus Christ calls Matthew; Mt 19:21 pp Mk 10:21 pp Lk 18:22; Jn 1:43 Jesus Christ calls Philip; Jn 21:19

The consequences of discipleship

Following Jesus Christ Mt 10:38 See also Mt 16:24 pp Mk 8:34 pp Lk 9:23; Lk 14:27; Jn 10:27; Jn 12:26; Rev 14:4

Serving Jesus Christ Col 3:24 See also Mt 20:25-28 pp Mk 10:42-45; Ro 12:11; 1Th 1:9

Obeying Jesus Christ Jn 8:31 See also Jn 14:21,23-24; Jn 15:10,14; 1Jn 2:3; 1Jn 3:22,24; 1Jn 5:3

Responding immediately to Jesus Christ’s commands Mt 8:21-22 See also Mt 4:20 pp Mk 1:18; Mt 4:22 pp Mk 1:20 pp Lk 5:11

Living for Jesus Christ and not for oneself 2Co 5:15 See also Ro 14:7-8; 1Pe 4:2

Loving others Jn 13:12-17 See also Jn 15:9-14; 1Jn 4:7-21

Total commitment is required of Jesus Christ’s disciples

Mt 10:37-39 See also Mt 16:24-25 pp Mk 8:34-35 pp Lk 9:23-24; Mk 6:8; Lk 14:26-27; Lk 17:33; Jn 12:25

The purpose of discipleship is to become Christlike

Eph 4:22-24 See also Mt 5:48; Lk 6:40; Ro 8:29 God’s purpose in election; Ro 12:1-2; Ro 13:14; 2Co 3:18; 2Co 7:1; Eph 1:4; Col 1:28; Col 3:12; 2Ti 3:17 the purpose of Scripture; 1Pe 1:14-15 a call to holiness; 2Pe 1:5-7; 1Jn 3:2-3

Examples of secret discipleship

Jn 3:1-2 See also Jn 7:50; Jn 12:42; Jn 19:38-39

Discipleship involves learning

1.      Learning from God

Ephesians 5:1-2New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

2.    Learning from Jesus Christ

Ephesians 4:20-24New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

3.     Learning from the Holy Spirit

John 14:23-27New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

23 Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 ‘All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

4.    Learning from other people

Philippians 4:4-9New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Final exhortations

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

5.     Learning to do what is good

Psalm 37:26-31 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

26 They are always generous and lend freely;
    their children will be a blessing.[a]
27 Turn from evil and do good;
    then you will dwell in the land for ever.
28 For the Lord loves the just
    and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed[b];
    the offspring of the wicked will perish.
29 The righteous will inherit the land
    and dwell in it for ever.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
    and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
    their feet do not slip.


Be Blessed today

Yours by His Grace,  for the sake of His Kingdom & His Church

Blair Humphreys

Southport, Merseyside

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