Verse by verse study of Paul's first letter to Timothy. In this lesson we examine chapter 2 verses 1-8 looking at God's agenda for mankind.
In this passage Paul has the whole world in mind. He refers to "all men", that is to say all human beings, as being under God's desire and provision for their salvation (1Tm2:1,4,6). There are things on God's agenda which God wills for all men, things which are "good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour" (1Tm 2:3). We ought to know and follow these things.
Law and Order, Tranquil Life
1Tm 2:1-2
Paul calls upon the power of prayer that "entreaties, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings" be made to God on behalf of all mankind. These prayers should be for kings or other governing authorities. Paul elsewhere commands that every person be subject to these authorities (Rom 13:1-7).
The point of this teaching is not for the benefit of the kings and governments, but for the benefit of the populace, "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in godliness and dignity" (1Tm 2:2).
People do, of course, suffer tribulations, and "through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). This is because of Satan's work in stirring up hatred and greed. God's will and agenda, however, is that we live in tranquility, and one of his instruments is good government of society. So we should support this law and order by prayer and by personal conduct.
Living Acceptable in God’s Sight
1Tm 2:3
The first principle of the universe is the joy of God. The first item on God's agenda is that he should find good pleasure in us and we in Him. God rejoices in nothing but what is good. The aim of everyone's life should be to please God. There is no higher goal to strive for. We were brought into this world for the joy of God, not to incur his wrath. It is Satan's agenda that men should incur the wrath of God. God doesn't want to be angry with us; he wants to smile upon us. Only by bringing joy to God can we find joy and good for ourselves.
Salvation and Enlightenment
1Tm 2:4
God's agenda for us is clear. He desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth". The salvation and enlightenment of humanity is God's will, and toward this end he has been working since the beginning of creation. And Paul later says, "It is for this that we labour and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of believers" (1Tm 4:10).
God has made a way for all to be saved. In this sense he is the Saviour of all mankind. Those who believe and obey the message of Christ are certainly saved. In this sense he is the Saviour especially of believers. All mankind can believe, and all who believe can be saved. It is God's agenda that all might believe and be saved in the true knowledge that he spreads abroad in the world.
One Mediator, One Ransom
1Tm 2:5-6
Whilst God's agenda is so broad as to include all mankind, the means of achieving his agenda is so narrow as to include but one man alone, "the man Christ Jesus". He is the only mediator between God and men, but the mediator for all. He is the only ransom for men, but the ransom for all. "Through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men... through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous" (Rom 5:18-19). There is but one path to eternal life, the path of faith in Jesus Christ and full obedience to him. Such faith is the center of the gospel.
One Testimony, One Truth
1Tm 2:6-7
"The testimony at the proper time" here in verse 6, is "the truth" of verse 4. This is the truth which God wants all mankind to know. This is the gospel that Paul and the other apostles taught, and to which he refers in verse 7. There are not many truths, many messages of hope and light, many faiths. There is only one. Everything else is error and falsehood. Just as there is only one man who can bring all men to God, so there is only one truth, namely the testimony of that one man.
The one true gospel of Christ came into the world "at the proper time" and this is an important point that Paul makes, a point which should not escape our notice. The world is full of different gospels, testimonies, and "truths". But they all came at different times, didn't they? Even if we confine ourselves to what claim to be "Christian" doctrines, we can see different times in which various doctrines and faiths arose. One of the marks of the one true "truth" is that it came at "the proper time" namely in the time of Christ and the establishment of his original church by the apostles. The doctrines that arose "in later times" (1Tm 4:1) are identified as false because, among other things, they came at "later times" than the "proper time".
Holiness and Unity
1Tm 2:8
The church should be an example of what God wants the whole world to be. The church ought not to be like the world is. The world is full of unholiness, and of wrath and dissension. The church should be made up of sincere and holy people who dwell together in unity. This should be especially true of the men who lead the church in prayers. However it ought to be true of the church as a whole. If the church does not follow God's agenda for mankind, who will?
The one true gospel of Christ came into the world "at the proper time" and this is an important point that Paul makes, a point which should not escape our notice. The world is full of different gospels, testimonies, and "truths". But they all came at different times, didn't they? Even if we confine ourselves to what claim to be "Christian" doctrines, we can see different times in which various doctrines and faiths arose. One of the marks of the one true "truth" is that it came at "the proper time" namely in the time of Christ and the establishment of his original church by the apostles. The doctrines that arose "in later times"