Men and Women

Reading:  1 Timothy 2:8-15
    
    Paul has just asserted his authority to Timothy (1 Tim 2:7, also 1:1, 12), so his expressions of “I desire”(1 Tim 2:8) and “I do not permit”(1 Tim 2:12) are more than mere opinions.  Even though men and women are equal in Christ (Gal 3:28), God has different visions for their unique gifts and roles.  “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling”(1 Tim 2:8).  “Holy hands” is a phrase that emphasizes the purity of our lives as a basis for our prayers (see Job 16:17, Psalm 141:2, and James 4:8-9).  Men set a tone of holiness, self-discipline, and piety.  “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, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works”(1 Tim 2:9-10).  Christian women are not to dress in a flashy or ostentatious way, but to emphasize their inner (rather than outward) beauty.  “Likewise” implies that both men and women have an obligation to seek holiness and self-control, though manifestations may look a little different.

    Paul also has instruction about teaching:  “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor”(1 Tim 2:11-14).  God intends men to be in a position of spiritual authority.  Paul sees this in God creating Adam first and in the biblical emphasis on the woman being deceived.  He is not arguing that all women are gullible or that women are unable to teach, but that God has a plan for men and women that involves men being teachers.

    Such teaching is controversial in our day, yet someone must lead.  These verses are a call to men and women to respect God’s expectations for them.  Yet while women are denied a teaching role over men, this is no excuse for male domination, condescension, or abuse.  None of us is above submitting to others (Eph 5:21); all of us are to be holy, self-controlled, and honorable.

-----------
One Thing to Think About: Does our modern culture affect the way I read this passage?  Should it?

One Thing to Pray For:  A pure and self-controlled life, so that I may “lift holy hands” as I pray
 

God Wants All People to Be Saved

Reading:  1 Timothy 2:1-7
    
    As he works with the church in Ephesus, Timothy needs to stress certain priorities.  “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”(1 Tim 2:1-2).  Christians are a people of prayer, petitioning God on behalf of those around us.  Paul wants us praying for our rulers at all levels, acknowledging the blessing of their leadership.  This remains true even when we disagree with the policies or character of those leaders (as often happened for Christians under Roman rule).  The specific request of our prayers is “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way”(1 Tim 2:2).  We ask that government leave us alone to obey God unhindered, allowing our transformed lives to change the world from the ground up.

    But Paul also seems to connect the government’s lack of interference to the reception of the gospel.  “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”(1 Tim 2:3-4).  God wants all people to be saved; this is his will for the world.  When government allows us to live a peaceful and quiet life, the gospel can be preached and obeyed unhindered.  Our prayers have a purpose:  not merely that we can have happy lives, but that the gospel can have free course in a freer society.  We pray toward this end.

    Paul informs us that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”   Statements of God’s desires are invaluable.  They give us a clue to God’s heart and will.  They help us to pray confidently, knowing that we are on the same page with God.  They transform our desires so that we are in tune with God.  God wants all people to be saved.  Do I?

-----------
One Thing to Think About: How is God opening doors around me so that others can come to know the truth?

One Thing to Pray For:  Our leaders to allow us to live peaceful and quiet lives 
 

Redeeming the Past

Reading:  1 Timothy 1:12-20
    
    Paul is frank with Timothy about his past.  “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent”(1 Tim 1:12-13).  Paul has not forgotten the shameful things he did prior to his conversion; he still considers himself “the foremost” of sinners (1 Tim 1:15).  Yet because of Jesus, his evil is not the end of the story.  He “received mercy” and “the grace of our Lord overflowed for me” and Jesus “judged me faithful”(1 Tim 1:13, 14, 12).  Now his story only confirms that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”(1 Tim 1:15).  Paul’s regret over what he has done drives him to praise and serve Jesus.  Now his past becomes part of the gospel he preaches.

    So Paul encourages Timothy to “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience”(1 Tim 1:18).  Not everyone’s story has the happy ending Paul’s does.  “By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme”(1 Tim 1:19-20).  As much as Paul is a good example for Timothy, these men are patterns to avoid.  They “have made shipwreck of their faith.”  In the ancient world, shipwrecks were utter disasters.  Cargo was destroyed, ships were damaged, and lives were lost.  Shipwrecked faith implies a hopeful beginning that later turns terrible.  Paul’s words are both a sad commentary on the lives of Hymenaeus and Alexander and a sharp warning to Timothy:  a good beginning does not guarantee a good ending.

    We cannot change the past, but Jesus can redeem the past.  He can take our mistakes and misfortunes and turn them into something powerful and useful.  He can forgive our sins.  He can use our past to help us relate to others.  He can transform our pain into a warning.  He can mold us into stronger, deeper people.  He can use us for ministry to others.  What Jesus has done for Paul gives us encouragement for how we deal with our past and hope for how Jesus will redeem current hardships and use them for good.

-----------
One Thing to Think About: What temptations or challenges might lead me to make shipwreck of my faith?

One Thing to Pray For:  Faith and a good conscience 
 

Pointless Spiritual Discussion

Reading:  1 Timothy 1:1-11
    
    This is a personal letter Paul has written to Timothy with instructions for how to do the work of an evangelist as he works with the church in Ephesus.  It is a combination of apostolic instruction, specific concerns for situations, and personal advice about preaching.  “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith”(1 Tim 1:3-4).  A major part of Timothy’s work will be re-emphasizing the gospel to a group of Christians who have drifted into “different doctrine” and “myths and endless genealogies.”  These things appear spiritual, but actually only lead to useless speculation.

    Timothy needs to keep his focus on the goal of gospel teaching:  “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5).  Christian teaching is not intended to bring speculation, discussion, and division, but love.  Just because something interests us doesn’t mean it’s good for us.  “Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions”(1 Tim 1:6-7).  Rather than sincerity, faith, and love, some discussions are merely “vain.”  Paul knows that sometimes the Law of Moses is invoked in these discussions (along with genealogies, 1 Tim 1:4, suggesting a Jewish flavor).  He insists that the Law is good, yet even the Law was not intended so that we could have endless arguments about its meaning (1 Tim 1:8-9).  

    There is an important caution here.  Christians are often drawn to spiritual discussion, assuming that any spiritual discussion is good discussion.  Paul warns about myths, genealogies, and vain discussion.  Some discussions produce only speculation and division.  Christian teaching is not merely a matter to be debated, asserted, and defended.  Christian teaching is intended to produce something:  love, sincerity, and faith.  It changes the heart of the obedient believer, then changes his life and relationships.  We should not “devote (ourselves) to” discussion that does not achieve this goal.

-----------
One Thing to Think About: Do I have a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith?

One Thing to Pray For:  Discernment to know what is worthwhile (or pointless) discussion 
 

My God Will Supply Your Need

Reading:  Philippians 4:14-23
    
    Philippians is Paul’s extended thank-you note to the church for their gift of support.  “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me…it was kind of you to share my trouble”(Phil 4:10, 14).  He is thankful for the gift, but also that it signifies their “concern” and willingness to “share my trouble.”  It speaks to a loving relationship.  Paul also remembers that this is not the first time they have helped him:  “in the beginning of the gospel…no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only”(Phil 4:15).  Paul and the Philippians go way back.  It is always appropriate to acknowledge the kindness of others.

    But Paul is also doing more than saying “thank you.”  “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit”(Phil 4:17).  Their giving blesses them, giving testimony to their love and bringing glory to God.  It is “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God”(Phil 4:18).  Just as Jews would give up their animals to God to please him, so the Philippians have sacrificed their money to Paul so he could further God’s work.  To that Paul gives an assurance that “my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”(Phil 4:19).  God will repay their sacrifice.  As God has blessed Paul through the Philippians, so he will bless the Philippians through others.  On and on goes the train of giving, blessing, and sustaining. 

    It is counterintuitive to think that when we give our money away, we will have our needs supplied.  When we give our money away, we have less!  Yet this is why our sacrifices (financial, relational, time) are acts of faith and love.  We trust that God will reward us and others will be blessed.  When we have given to the point that we are empty, our God will supply our needs.
-----------
One Thing to Think About: What am I sacrificing to supply the needs of others?

One Thing to Pray For:  God to supply the needs of those who have helped and blessed me