First Timothy
First Timothy was taught by Dr. James Modlish

Lesson Two
(PRAYER LIFE IN THE CHURCH)

Introduction:

In chapters (2-3), Paul discusses the public ministry of the church and the roles that different members ought to play. Chapter one dealt with the ministry of the Word, in this chapter the emphasis is on prayer.

It is important that the church have a balanced ministry of the Word of God and prayer. The Word instructs the church; prayer inspires the church to obey the Word. The church that has an abundance of Bible teaching, but little prayer, will have "much light, but no heat." It will be orthodox but frozen! The other extreme is the church that has much prayer and religious enthusiasm, but little teaching from the Word, is producing a group of people with zeal, but no knowledge.
 

I. The Place of Prayer in The Local Church (1:1-8)

A. Kinds of prayer-

[1]. Supplications - that is asking for God to supply your needs.

[2]. Prayers - can include anything from adoration, confession, worship, praying for victory over sin, etc.

[3]. Intercessions - asking for supplies for others.

[4]. Giving thanks - great lessons can be learned about how to do this by reading the Psalms.

B. For whom and what do we pray for-
[1]. For kings - and for all in authority (1:2) (Rom. 13:1-6; 1 Peter 2:17).
[2]. That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life - 1:2
[3]. For all men - (1:1,2,4,6) These verses are a real problem to the Calvinist who has decided that God has elected some to be saved and others to be lost.

C. The method of prayer-
[1]. Through the mediator, Jesus Christ - (1:15) (John 14:6; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).
[2]. With holy hands - (1:8) - holy hands indicates a holy, clean life. (Ps. 51:10,17; Prov. 1:24,33).
 

II. The Place of Women In The Local Church (2:9-15)

Christianity, like no other religious faith, elevated the position of women and children. Instead of criticizing Paul for these instructions, women ought to thank God for the blessing the Christian faith has been to womanhood around the world. Paul is emphasizing again the principle of headship (see Eph. 5:22 ff, I Cor. 11: 1-16). The local church that refuses to recognize this principle is destined for confusion.

There is a threefold headship in the local assembly:

[1]. The Headship of Christ over the Body, Col. 1:18;

[2]. The headship of the Pastor over the flock, (Acts 20:28; and 3) the headship of the man over the woman, (I Cor. 11:1-16 and I Tim. 2:12). The church member who denies the headship of the pastor, and the woman who denies the headship of the man, are both denying the Headship of Jesus Christ!

A. Modesty - modest means anything that does not attract attention. Even though some people may live according to a very legalistic code, they find ways to attract attention to themselves. The clothes simply manifest the condition of the heart. Some people take vs. 9 to mean than no gold or jewelry ought to be worn. This is not Paul's intention as he does not say "wear" but "adorn". Adorning is defined in I Peter 3:1-3. If adorning is complete abstinence of wearing, then clothes are condemned in I Peter 3:3. Much of Bible interpretation is common sense.

B. Purity - She "professes godliness." Godliness is one of Paul's favorite words; (see 2:2,10, 3:16;4:7-8; 6:3,5,6,11; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1). Of course, godliness is simply a shortened form of "godlikeness."

C. Industry - She practices good works (vs. 10). Later in this letter (5:11-14) Paul warns about idle women who wander from house to house and give Satan opportunity to lead them into sin. The best way for a Christian woman to preach is with her life (see I Pet. 3:1-3, where Peter tells Christian wives how to win their lost husbands to Christ).

D. Humility - In (I Cor. 14:34-40), Paul amplifies this commandment. Just as Satan got a footing in Eden through Eve, so he often gets a footing in the local church through some sincere, misguided woman. It is significant that women have played a big role in the false cults (Adventists, Christian Science, Theosophy, I Am Cult, etc.) as well as in Pentecostal movement. When the local church meets in assembly, it must the woman's place to sit in humble silence and listen prayerfully. If she has any questions, she should ask her husband at home. (The tragedy is, too many of the husbands are at home and not in church!) This rule does not prevent a woman from teaching women or children.

Paul under girds this ruling with a solid doctrinal foundation: Adam was created first and had precedence over Eve. (See I Cor. 11:8-9). Headship is written into the very course of nature; and when man violates this principle, chaos is always the result. The Corinthian church was confused and carnal partly because the women were taking precedence over the men!

Paul gives a second reason for this principle: Satan finds it easier to deceive women than men (14, and see II Cor. 11:3). Eve was deceived by Satan and sinned; but Adam sinned with his eyes open. Adam had to choose between loving God or being with his wife; and he chose deliberately to be with his wife as a sinner. In this respect Adam is a picture of Christ, the Last Adam (I Cor. 15:45): because He loved sinners, he willingly laid aside His glory and became sin for us (Phil. 2:5-8).

Ladies remember, your greatest weapon is prayer not arguments!

"Saved in childbearing" - saved from what? The context implies saved from deception. It is amazing how much wiser a woman gets after she has had children.
 

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