1Ti 2:7 | KingComments | STEP | . This verse is connected by the word “for” with what is previously said. What follows now is how people can be saved and what the truth is which they ought to get to know. It is clear that all men are sinners. It is also clear that there is one God. This truth is not new. It is the confession of faith of the Israelites in the Old Testament ( ; ; ). They were called to testify to that truth in the world with its polytheism around them. You encounter that unchangeable truth in the New Testament ( ; ; ; ). But the New Testament shows something that is not known in the Old Testament. That new truth is that the only God reveals Himself in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit ( ). That happened when the Lord Jesus came on earth ( ; ). In this new truth you also see the means that God gave to save sinners. The Lord Jesus is the Mediator between God and men. A mediator was necessary, because God in His holiness could not tolerate in His presence man in his sinfulness (cf. ). Three significant facts about the mediator are mentioned: 1. There is “one Mediator”. Therefore there is only one way to salvation (“ the way”, ), only one Person by Whom we must be saved ( ). Each alternative to be saved is to be rejected as a lie and deception. It is the foolishness of unbelief to ascribe the place of mediator to Mary or certain saints. 2. The Mediator is a Man, the “Man Christ Jesus”. In order for us to know God’s holiness and to have a satisfactory outcome the Mediator has to be God. Christ is God ( ). But to fulfill this necessary work of atonement in the place of men, He had to become like men ( ). Only as Man He was able to be Mediator, not as the eternal Son. 3. . The Mediator “gave Himself” ( ; ; ). More than that was not possible and less would not have been satisfactory. By giving Himself He paid the necessary ransom. No one ( ) but He was able to pay the ransom, because He Himself was without sin. He paid the ransom “for all”. The word ‘for’ here doesn’t mean ‘instead of’, but ‘for the sake of’ or ‘stretched out to’ ( ). The ransom is that big that all can be saved; but only those who accept Him in faith are saved ( ). To this awesome event a testimony was given “at the proper time”, which means at the right time, not too early and not too late. When Christ ascended to heaven and the Holy Spirit came to earth the time for this testimony had come. This testimony could not be given earlier, for Christ had not died yet and the ransom had not been paid yet. He died at the right time ( ). Therefore the preaching also entered the world at the right time to proclaim the only means that appeared to be fully appropriate to meet the needs of man. . To be able to give this testimony God had prepared and appointed an exceptional instrument. That is Paul ( ). He is a “preacher” or herald. A herald is somebody who makes official statements in the name of a ruler. In that way the message of salvation has been preached. Paul is also an “apostle”. He is a special ambassador who comes with the authorization of his Lord. In the case of ‘preacher’ the people to whom he was sent are at the forefront. In the case of ‘apostle’ his Sender is at the forefront. Because his apostleship was sometimes questioned he emphasizes this by saying “I am telling the truth I am not lying”. Finally he is also “a teacher of the Gentiles”. He teaches them about what the Lord has entrusted to him. His ministry was not limited to Israel, but exceeds the national borders. There is no nation that can claim his ministry for itself exclusively. God not only made a preacher and apostle of this zealous Jewish nationalist, but also gave in him an exceptional revelation of His grace to the Gentiles. His ministry happens “in [that is: in the realm of] faith and truth” and not in the realm of social improvement or a theological discussion. He fulfills his task in faith and truth. He preaches, exerts his apostleship and teaches in the confidence of faith. All his statements are in accordance to the truth. Therefore it is important to accept his ministry without any resistance. It goes without saying that concerning Timothy there is no mention of resistance. But because he is quite timid Paul strongly presents his ministry again, in order to encourage him. For Timothy shouldn’t be afraid when opponents will try to attack Paul’s ministry. This empowerment you also need, for also today there are people who want to tell you that even Paul didn’t see it all clearly either. . Against the background of the authority that is given to Paul you hear in this verse “I want”. You must not take that as a friendly request, but as an apostolic commandment. The commandment is: Pray! This commandment is addressed to “the men”, because it is about praying in public. That appears from the indication of the place: “every place”. This means every place wherever believers gather together, regardless the building or goal (cf. ; ; ). The Scripture speaks more than once of praying women ( ; ). But women are not allowed to lead in prayer on behalf of all in a public gathering where also men are present ( ). In professing Christianity you encounter an unbiblical restriction and an unbiblical widening of this commandment. The restriction is that only one man prays in the public gathering. The widening is that both men and women pray in the public gathering. The danger for those who reject both of these unbiblical practices is that this important ministry is left to only a few and that not all men pray. Men are addressed as a group apart from women as a group. It regards the total of men, all men, and not a special group among them. Praying demands no gift or a particular feeling. It actually demands something else and that is “holy hands”. Those who pray in public are to be holy in their deeds, ‘hands’. Their practical life has to be in accordance with Him to Whom they pray. The “lifting up” of the hands indicates the prayer position that was common in those days. In the Scripture there is also mention of other prayer positions, as kneeling ( ; ; ), standing ( ), lying on the face ( ) and seated ( ). In fact the apostle doesn’t give one specific prayer position. Not only the deeds, but also the inward man and the words must fit in seeking God’s face. “Wrath and dissension” hinder the way to God. The word ‘wrath’ with regard to men, describes an inward passion that explodes in an uncontrolled temperament. None of these elements are allowed to penetrate the holy realm of prayer. ‘Dissension’ is discussion, to be in a conflict or an argument with another believer. Prayer is certainly not supposed to deteriorate in a flood of words to heaven to blame or rebuke the other. He who leads others in such a holy practice ought to be pure in his motivation and attitude. In case you’re a woman you ought to have ‘holy hands’ as well to be heard and your prayer should also be ‘without wrath and doubting’ not to experience any hindrances. But the ‘prayer commandment’ is addressed to the man. If you’re a man, then you know what is expected from you with regard to prayer. Now read 1 Timothy 2:5-8 again. Reflection: What are the features of the Lord Jesus as Mediator? Someone who leads in prayer is in a sense also a mediator. What are the features of such a person?

‏ 1 Timothy 2:7

The Mediator – The Praying of Men

1Tim 2:5. This verse is connected by the word “for” with what is previously said. What follows now is how people can be saved and what the truth is which they ought to get to know. It is clear that all men are sinners. It is also clear that there is one God. This truth is not new. It is the confession of faith of the Israelites in the Old Testament (Deu 6:4; Isa 43:10-11; Zec 14:9). They were called to testify to that truth in the world with its polytheism around them. You encounter that unchangeable truth in the New Testament (Rom 3:29; 1Cor 8:4-6; Gal 3:20; Jam 2:19).

But the New Testament shows something that is not known in the Old Testament. That new truth is that the only God reveals Himself in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19). That happened when the Lord Jesus came on earth (Jn 1:14; Col 1:19). In this new truth you also see the means that God gave to save sinners. The Lord Jesus is the Mediator between God and men. A mediator was necessary, because God in His holiness could not tolerate in His presence man in his sinfulness (cf. Job 9:33).

Three significant facts about the mediator are mentioned:

1. There is “one Mediator”. Therefore there is only one way to salvation (“the way”, Jn 14:6), only one Person by Whom we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Each alternative to be saved is to be rejected as a lie and deception. It is the foolishness of unbelief to ascribe the place of mediator to Mary or certain saints.

2. The Mediator is a Man, the “Man Christ Jesus”. In order for us to know God’s holiness and to have a satisfactory outcome the Mediator has to be God. Christ is God (Rom 9:5). But to fulfill this necessary work of atonement in the place of men, He had to become like men (Heb 2:14). Only as Man He was able to be Mediator, not as the eternal Son.

3. 1Tim 2:6. The Mediator “gave Himself” (Gal 1:4 ; Gal 2:20; Eph 5:2 ; Eph 5:25; Tit 2:14). More than that was not possible and less would not have been satisfactory. By giving Himself He paid the necessary ransom. No one (Psa 49:7) but He was able to pay the ransom, because He Himself was without sin.

He paid the ransom “for all”. The word ‘for’ here doesn’t mean ‘instead of’, but ‘for the sake of’ or ‘stretched out to’ (2Cor 5:15). The ransom is that big that all can be saved; but only those who accept Him in faith are saved (Mt 20:28).

To this awesome event a testimony was given “at the proper time”, which means at the right time, not too early and not too late. When Christ ascended to heaven and the Holy Spirit came to earth the time for this testimony had come. This testimony could not be given earlier, for Christ had not died yet and the ransom had not been paid yet. He died at the right time (Rom 5:6). Therefore the preaching also entered the world at the right time to proclaim the only means that appeared to be fully appropriate to meet the needs of man.

1Tim 2:7. To be able to give this testimony God had prepared and appointed an exceptional instrument. That is Paul (Acts 26:16-18). He is a “preacher” or herald. A herald is somebody who makes official statements in the name of a ruler. In that way the message of salvation has been preached. Paul is also an “apostle”. He is a special ambassador who comes with the authorization of his Lord. In the case of ‘preacher’ the people to whom he was sent are at the forefront. In the case of ‘apostle’ his Sender is at the forefront. Because his apostleship was sometimes questioned he emphasizes this by saying “I am telling the truth I am not lying”.

Finally he is also “a teacher of the Gentiles”. He teaches them about what the Lord has entrusted to him. His ministry was not limited to Israel, but exceeds the national borders. There is no nation that can claim his ministry for itself exclusively. God not only made a preacher and apostle of this zealous Jewish nationalist, but also gave in him an exceptional revelation of His grace to the Gentiles.

His ministry happens “in [that is: in the realm of] faith and truth” and not in the realm of social improvement or a theological discussion. He fulfills his task in faith and truth. He preaches, exerts his apostleship and teaches in the confidence of faith. All his statements are in accordance to the truth. Therefore it is important to accept his ministry without any resistance.

It goes without saying that concerning Timothy there is no mention of resistance. But because he is quite timid Paul strongly presents his ministry again, in order to encourage him. For Timothy shouldn’t be afraid when opponents will try to attack Paul’s ministry. This empowerment you also need, for also today there are people who want to tell you that even Paul didn’t see it all clearly either.

1Tim 2:8. Against the background of the authority that is given to Paul you hear in this verse “I want”. You must not take that as a friendly request, but as an apostolic commandment. The commandment is: Pray! This commandment is addressed to “the men”, because it is about praying in public. That appears from the indication of the place: “every place”. This means every place wherever believers gather together, regardless the building or goal (cf. 1Cor 1:2; 2Cor 2:14; 1Thes 1:8).

The Scripture speaks more than once of praying women (1Sam 2:1; Lk 1:46 ; Lk 2:37). But women are not allowed to lead in prayer on behalf of all in a public gathering where also men are present (1Cor 11:5-10 ; 1Cor 14:34-35).

In professing Christianity you encounter an unbiblical restriction and an unbiblical widening of this commandment. The restriction is that only one man prays in the public gathering. The widening is that both men and women pray in the public gathering. The danger for those who reject both of these unbiblical practices is that this important ministry is left to only a few and that not all men pray. Men are addressed as a group apart from women as a group. It regards the total of men, all men, and not a special group among them. Praying demands no gift or a particular feeling.

It actually demands something else and that is “holy hands”. Those who pray in public are to be holy in their deeds, ‘hands’. Their practical life has to be in accordance with Him to Whom they pray. The “lifting up” of the hands indicates the prayer position that was common in those days. In the Scripture there is also mention of other prayer positions, as kneeling (Dan 6:10; Acts 20:36; Eph 3:14), standing (Gen 18:22-23), lying on the face (Jos 5:14) and seated (2Sam 7:18). In fact the apostle doesn’t give one specific prayer position.

Not only the deeds, but also the inward man and the words must fit in seeking God’s face. “Wrath and dissension” hinder the way to God. The word ‘wrath’ with regard to men, describes an inward passion that explodes in an uncontrolled temperament. None of these elements are allowed to penetrate the holy realm of prayer. ‘Dissension’ is discussion, to be in a conflict or an argument with another believer. Prayer is certainly not supposed to deteriorate in a flood of words to heaven to blame or rebuke the other. He who leads others in such a holy practice ought to be pure in his motivation and attitude.

In case you’re a woman you ought to have ‘holy hands’ as well to be heard and your prayer should also be ‘without wrath and doubting’ not to experience any hindrances. But the ‘prayer commandment’ is addressed to the man. If you’re a man, then you know what is expected from you with regard to prayer.

Now read 1 Timothy 2:5-8 again.

Reflection: What are the features of the Lord Jesus as Mediator? Someone who leads in prayer is in a sense also a mediator. What are the features of such a person?