Prayer, Men, and Women – 1 Timothy 2

Joy:  You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #192.  Today we’ll read 1 Timothy chapter 2 together.  In this chapter, Paul instructs Timothy – and us – on prayer, men, and women.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

The prayer team at our church is called the BATT Team.  BATT stands for Boldly Approaching The Throne, referencing Hebrews 4:16 which says, in full, Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.  Prayer requests go out both by phone and by email and most of us drop everything when a request comes through so that our voices are raising to heaven in one accord to God.  We are blessed to the have a devoted and Godly woman named Karin heading up this ministry.

I have probably read and prayed over hundreds of her emailed prayer requests over the years.  But a phrase she literally uses all the time leaped out at me from the screen a few days ago as if it were the first time I had ever seen it.  Karin will often type, “… and we are trusting God for the outcome…”

I’m often embarrassed by the revelations God gives me because I almost always think I should have seen them before, earlier, quicker…whatever.  Think about this phrase.  Do we trust God with the outcome?  What if His outcome isn’t what we prayed for?  Is that hard or easy?  

Regardless of My Situation

Don’t get me wrong, these questions are not directed at Karin.  I know her to be a mighty prayer warrior and her trust in Him is implicit.  Those questions were directly convicting my heart.  Do I trust Him?  With all my outcomes?  I pray that I do.  I pray that if it is ever me in the hospital bed with the terminal diagnosis, that I will be singing His praises as enthusiastically as Paul and Silas in that dungeon.  Lord, please help me to be a joyful witness to Your trustworthiness, regardless of my situation.  Help me where I fall short.

Anybody want to chime in on this one?  As always, you can find me at  Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

1 Timothy Chapter 2

Instructions on Prayer

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Instructions to Men and Women

Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. A woman is to learn quietly with full submission. I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.

Closing Thoughts

So much is covered here…praying for those that God has placed in authority over us (yes, that means our President, Governor, Congresses, and locals…even if we disagree).  God wants everyone to be saved and Jesus died as a ransom for all.  Paul humbles himself in such a sweet way when he says he is the worst sinner.  Isn’t that the way it is?  When we finally see with our hearts that Christ – the God-Man – so perfect, sacrificed Himself, we feel so unworthy and so grateful all at once.

But in our culture, there seems to be an undercurrent of tension between men and women – a competitiveness – that is exacerbated by the truth of Scripture.  So, why don’t we park there for a few minutes?

Verse 8 sets the man up as leading when the local church gathers.  James 5:16 tells us that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective.  Here that is also emphasized as that righteous man – represented by holy hands – comes before God submissively and without rebellion.

Regarding women, Paul is not saying that women should not fix their hair or wear jewelry.  Neither is Peter in 1 Peter 3:3-4 when he so beautifully says, Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, but rather what is inside the heart—the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. Go ahead – fix your hair and we can wear our baubles.  But not before we’ve made sure that our inside is just as beautiful as our outside.  

A Little Greek

Okay, stay with me here.  In regard to women learning quietly and submissively, it would be easier if we knew a little ancient Greek.  According to my MacArthur study note, the Greek verb ‘learn’ is an imperative.  He is commanding that the ladies be taught in the church.  Apparently, that was a novel concept.  However, we also must remember that Timothy was trying to pastor those Ephesians.  And let’s just say the women were tired of being oppressed and thought they would take the opportunity to be dominant at the church.  The women were to demonstrate submissiveness by not trying to usurp the authority from the pastors and elders.

That leads us right into verse 12.  The Greek word for ‘permit’ means letting someone do whatever they wanted.  Well, that’s a recipe for trouble.  And, Paul may have been addressing a specific situation with certain women.

Finally, we all know that salvation is not achieved thru childbearing.  Paul is talking about the shame that is carried by women because technically it was Eve’s sin that caused the fall of humankind.  The responsibility belonged to Adam because he disobeyed God by following Eve, but the stigma is on womankind.  However, we as women may be freed from that dishonor by raising up Godly children through our ability to bear children.

Okay, all of that needs to be covered liberally with prayer.  Let’s do that now.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your beautiful order of creation.  We get so confused when culture enters the mix, and our egos stir the pot.  We want to be pleasing to You and certainly want all the benefits of Your created order.  Please give us Your eyes to see what Your will is for our lives together as men and women.  Well, maybe I should say that You’ve made it pretty clear and ask that You would help us to understand from Your perspective.  I lift up everyone listening and ask that You give them an extra measure of understanding and give them peace.  Please fill in any gaps left by my commentary.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.