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.

 

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