Biblical Concept: 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Political
Prayers
Topic: 1 Tmothy 2:1-8, Political Prayers
Setting: Paul wrote to Timothy, who he left in
Ephesus (1:3), concerning points of conduct in the Local
Church
(3:14-15).
Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of
all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we
may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in
the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and
to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5
For there is one God, and one
mediator also between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. 7 And for this I was appointed a
preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am
not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 Therefore I want the men in
every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
Verse titles, points of Doctrine, Applications:
2:1, First pray for all men outside of the
church.
1. Parakalw/ ou=n
prw/ton pa,ntwn / “I continually call therefore first of all things.”
2. This is a strong statement by Paul about Local
Church prayer priority. (“First of all things”)
3. Prayer is the first form of community outreach.
4. In this context of 2:1-2 and 2:8, the prayer mostly
concerns political authorities.
5. Permanently, put 1 Timothy 2:1-2 in the church
bulletin as a reminder of the first activity of the Local
Church.
2:2, (First pray) for all authorities for a tranquil
quiet life.
1. Authorities: The Declaration of Independence and
US Constitution are the highest authorities in our
land. Pray
we follow them.
2. Next Authorities: State Constitutions, County Governments,
and City Governments. Pray we follow
them.
3. Then, pray for persons granted leadership to follow these written
instruments of governance—that we
might “lead a tranquil and quiet
life.” Pray they follow them.
4. A Constitutional Representative Republic is peculiar in human history. Ben Franklin said: “A republic if
you can keep it.” Pray we can keep it.
5. Not as Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was
right in his own eyes.” 1 Timothy
2:1-2, 8; political prayers counter anarchy.
6. First pray about local authorities who can preserve
or harm our community tranquility. When
national,
state, and
county authorities go awry, maybe a small town can be preserved? Pray we can keep it.
7. Each election could bring to authority those that could
harm community tranquility. Promote good
candidates.
Pray during elections.
2:3, Verses 1-2 are the will of God.
1. Praying for politicians is the will of God.
2. Will of God? Yes. Revelation
19:11-16 notes the politics of the returned Christ. Pray for the
return of
the Supreme Politician.
2:4a, God’s salvation desire.
1. o]j pa,ntaj avnqrw,pouj qe,lei swqh/nai / “Who all mens He continually desires to be
recipients of
salvation.”
2. A good way to have a tranquil quiet life is to
have lots of Christians around.
3. A good way to have a tranquil quiet life is to
have your leaders be Christians.
4. “Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably
to
assemble,
and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Give thanks. Politics
has
helped
provide a tranquil quiet life.
2:4b, Full knowledge of truth.
1. kai. eivj evpi,gnwsin
avlhqei,aj evlqei/n / “and toward a full-knowledge of truth to come.”
2. Truth growth in authorities is fine way to
support a tranquil quiet life. Pray.
3. Note truth in 1 Timothy 3:15b.
2:5-6, The salvation work of Christ.
1. “Mediator” Jesus is the basis of a tranquil quiet
life.
2. “Ransom” Jesus is the basis of a tranquil quiet
life.
2:7, Paul presents his authority.
1. Preacher, apostle, teacher of the tranquil quiet
life.
2:8, Assembled Church application of 2:1-2.
1. Assembled Church, note 1 Timothy 3:14-15.
2. Every place, note Ephesus in Acts 20:20. Many every
places were to make political prayers.
3. Compare City-State prayer support in Jeremiah 29:7.
4. USA Christian: Pray that your fellow citizens follow the ultimate
authorities in our land: US
Declaration of Independence, US
Constitution, State Constitutions, County Governments, City
Governments, and the designated authorities
to follow these written instruments of governance—that
we might “lead a tranquil and
quiet life.”
5. States created the Federal Government. States need to save us from the Federal
Government. Pray.
Conclusion: 1 Timothy 2:1-8 states that the first
task of the Local Church is to pray for those outside of the Church. Particularly, pray for governing authorities
that can affect our “tranquil and quiet life.”
Imagine if all the Christian Churches in our land prayed 1 Timothy 2:1-2
political prayers…..
Addendum: Biblical Politicians
Joseph –
Genesis 41:39-44
Moses – Exodus
18:1-27
Daniel,
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego – Daniel 2:46-49.
Jesus, Judge,
and King – Revelation 19:11-16.