1 Timothy 2:1-4 - Purposes, Commands, and Passions
I. The Passage
Paul is mentoring a man in the Ministry of Eldership
A. Teach the Apostle’s Doctrine - Chapter 1
B. Pray - 2:1-4
1. Open the SPIGOT - Verse 1
2. Object of our prayers - Verse 2
a. All men.
b. For kings and all that are in authority.
C. The specific request for our prayers regarding kings. Verse 3
“That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
1. Quiet - Eremos - “Tranquility from without.”
2. Peaceable - hesukion - “Tranquility from within”
“Content spirit” (Meek and quiet spirit…) Not argumentative and revolutionary.
3. Godly behavior - Following God’s Law
4. Honesty - better translated - Grave, Venerable, Dignified, Serious-ness,
D. Why do we pray for all men? Verse 4
1. Because this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour
2. Because our God is good and commands the salvation of all men.
II. The Controversy
Romans 9:18-22 “He has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he (Thelei) wills he hardeneth…What if God willing to shew he wrath and to make his power known endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction.”
2 Pet. 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.
Ezek. 33:11 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
A. Three Important Considerations
1. What does the word “all” mean here?
Verse 1 - All men, all in authority, all men to be saved, a ransom for all…
Is God commanding us to pray for every man without exception?
2. The Object and Scope of Salvation. Other uses of the Word all in 1 Timothy:
1 Tim. 4:10 , Because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1 Tim. 6:13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things…
IS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN…
There is a universal aspect to salvation. Salvation makes all things alive.
The Salvation of God affects all men. Why? We are connected. God is the Saviour of all men -- but in the most significant way, mainly for those who believe…
- Hard to understand because we think individually and we don’t like to think that the salvation of Jesus affects the earth, physical things, relationships, civil government…
3. There are different ways in which we purpose or desire things.
Boulema - Purpose, Deliberate Intention
Thelema - Heart Desire or Will
There are different ways which God purposes or desires things.
Decreed Will vs. Revealed Will
Gen. 50:20 “You thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive.”
Acts 2:23 “Him being delivered by the Determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken with wicked hands.”
B. The Uses of “Will”
“Whom he will, he hardens…” He does what he wants to do… Decreed will/purpose.
“The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Revealed will.
“I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” Desire. He doesn’t yearn for it.
III. The Core Message - What does 1 Tim. 2:1-4 Teach Us?
What is the heart motivation in praying for all men? We want all men saved, and coming to a knowledge of the truth.
How can God command something and/or desire something that will not happen?
He certainly doesn’t take pleasure in the death of the wicked, and yet the wicked still die.
He certainly commanded us not to put innocent people to death, yet people still do that sort of thing, as they did to Jesus.
A. We have a commission and a command. God’s Revealed Will “EVERY CREATURE.” Mark 16
B. The Commission is a Tough One, and Requires Striving in Prayer
C. More than that. It must become a Desire, a Passion for Us. |
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