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1 Timothy
Chapter Two
I.
Content of the Chapter
God’s Workers should Take Keeping A Godly
Life as Their Own Duty
I. Workers themselves should keep a godly life through
prayers (v.1-7):
A.
Praying for all men and all who are in authority (v.1-2a).
B.
That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence
(v.2b).
C.
Praying for all men is in accordance with the will of God (v.3-7):
1. because this is acceptable in the sight of God
(v.3).
2. because God desires all men to be saved and to
come to the knowledge of the truth (v.4).
3. because the Lord Jesus gave Himself a ransom for
all (v.5-6).
4. because workers are appointed for this aim
(v.7).
II. Workers should teach believers how to lead a
life in godliness (v.8-15):
A.
Teaching men not to be with wrath and doubting but to pray (v.8).
B.
Teaching women to lead a life worthy of profession godliness (v.9-15):
1. adorning themselves in modest apparel, with
propriety and moderation and with good works (v.9-10).
2. learning in silence with all submission
(v.11-14).
3.
continuing in faith, love, and holiness,
with self-control (v.15).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
1Tim. 2:1 “Therefore I exhort first
of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made
for all men,”
YLT: “I exhort, then,
first of all, there be made supplications, prayers, intercessions,
thanksgivings, for all men:”
Literal Meaning: “Therefore I exhort first of
all” “exhort” in the original implies pressing
hard and therefore it is not the normal advisement but beseeching. “First” not
only refers to the beginning but also stresses on the importance of the thing
that is recounted, showing that it has the first priority. “All men” refer to
all men in the world.
“That supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” “supplications” refers to praying earnestly for
some special needs; “prayers” refers to drawing near to God through prayers and
having communion with God generally; “intercessions” refers to praying for
others; “giving of thanks” refers to giving thanks and blessing to God.
The word “therefore” in the beginning of
this verse connects the above-mentioned contents (chapter 1). It indicates that
men have to pray first if they want to wage the good warfare (See 1:18).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Prayer is quite important to the individual and
the life in the church. We should give priority to prayer and give the first
priority to praying for all men.
2) Prayers should be many-sided: we should not only
pray for ourselves but also pray for others; we should not only pray but also
give thanks.
3) “Intercessions” in the original imply presenting
a petition to the emperor for others. The Most-high God exalts us to pray for
all men before Him and ask for favor for them. What an honorable work and we
should never think little of it.
4) The salvation of the Lord is for all men and
therefore we should pray for everyone and ask God to show mercy to him no
matter how bad and unworthy of grace he is.
5) Christians are the kingdom of priests and the
chief task of priests is to pray for all men and give their mind to praying for
the benefits of men.
6) The more our hearts are broadened by the Lord,
the more the realm of prayers shall be broadened naturally. And the more the
realm of our prayers is broadened, the more meaningful our life shall be
naturally.
7) Paul mentioned prayer before he talked about the
government of the church in this epistle (See v.3), showing that the ministry
of prayers is the prerequisite for the government and shepherding of the local
church.
1Tim. 2:2 “for kings and all who are
in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
reverence.”
YLT: “for kings, and all
who are in authority, that a quiet and peaceable life we may lead in all piety
and gravity,”
Meaning of Words: “godliness”: piety,
honorable, like God; “reverence”: dignity, gravity, worthy of men’s esteem.
The
Background: at that time, Nero
was the emperor of the
Literal Meaning: “for kings and all who are
in authority” the plural word
“kings” refer to kings of various countries. If we replace it with the modern
word, it refers to presidents, premiers, emperors, prime ministers and etc who
reign in various countries. “All who are in authority” refer to headmen who
reign in all levels of the government apparatus.
“That we may lead a quiet and peaceable
life in all godliness and reverence”
“godliness” refers to respecting God, i.e. their life of faith is not
interfered unreasonably; “reverence” refers to respecting oneself and others,
i.e. having the appropriate individual and corporate life; “quite and
peaceable” refers to living tranquilly, without any disturbance.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should pray for the kings and presidents who
are leaders and those who are in authority in the governments and ask God to
give them wisdom and power to govern the country and deal with people kindly
according to the principle and grace of God so that the whole country could be
acceptable to God and be given His blessing.
2) When believers pray for all principality and
power, we equally confess that the one who truly reins the country is our God
instead of the government upon the earth.
3) The world establishes and advances the regime by
vote; believers push forward and influence the regime by prayers.
4) Only when Christians have the pure faith (See
1Tim.1) and lead a life in godliness (lead a life in all godliness and
reverence) shall they be
acceptable to God (See v.3). Christians’ godly life is based on prayer.
5) There aren’t rebellious ideas to the country in
the spiritual life of Christians and the benefits of Christians accord with the
benefits of the country. Only when Christians seek the benefits of the country
shall they lead a quite and peaceable life in godliness and reverence.
6) Christians lead a life in selflessness and they
are willing to have a share with all men.
7) Since God has entrusted us the responsibilities
for intercessions, He shall certainly give us the rights of intercessions that
the intercessors could lead a life without interference and work for the
gospel.
1Tim. 2:3 “For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,”
YLT: “for this right and
acceptable before God our Saviour,”
Meaning of Words: “good”: beautiful,
perfect, kind; “acceptable”: accepted.
Literal Meaning: “For this is good” “This” refers to making intercessions for
all men and all who are in authority (See v.1-2). This is good because it is
acceptable to God.
“And acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior” “acceptable” means
that it is a good thing in which He takes delight and the reasons are recorded
in v.4.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Everything that accords with the will of God is
good. Contrarily, what are acceptable to men may not be good because the
thoughts of God are not our thoughts (Is. 55:8).
2) Since God desires all men to be saved (See v.
4), He certainly takes His delight in Christians’ making intercessions for all
men that they would be saved (See v.1).
1Tim. 2:4 “who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
YLT: “who doth will all
men to be saved, and to come to the full knowledge of the truth;”
Meaning of Words: “knowledge”:
recognition, understanding, full discernment; “truth”: verity, genuineness,
reality.
Literal Meaning: “who desires all men to be
saved” “all men” is in
the tone of emphasis in the Greek; “desires all men to be saved” means that God is not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance (2Pet. 3:9). Please note that
“desiring all men to be saved” does not mean that “all men shall be saved” and
the so-called statement “the whole world shall be saved” is the
misunderstanding of the scripture here. And it is not the established evidence.
Though God desires all men to be saved, only those who believe in the Lord
Jesus shall be saved. And therefore if men are unwilling to believe, God cannot
save them because He cannot disobey His principle of righteousness, even though
God has love.
“To come to the knowledge of the truth” “the knowledge” is the full and complete
knowledge in the original and such knowledge needs the revelation of the Holy
Spirit (See Eph. 1:17 “the knowledge” and the knowledge here are the same word
in the original). “The truth” refers to reality. “The knowledge of the truth”
means knowing the real things that have been revealed in the word of God and
Christ is the center of the revelation of the Bible (John. 5:39). And therefore
the emphasis on knowing the truth is the knowledge of Christ.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should make supplications for all men (See
v.1) because God desires all men to be saved. When believers are willing to
make intercessions for all men, they have the same mind with God------desiring
all men to be saved.
2) The burden of intercessions is from the
knowledge of God: if one understands the wide heart of God, he shall certainly
have great burden to make intercessions for all men.
3) Though God desires all men to repent and believe
in Christ, God’s such wish cannot make the salvation come to all voluntarily.
Men cannot be saved unless they cooperate with God and repent and turn to God
(See Acts. 3:19). And therefore believers have to make intercessions for all
men.
1Tim. 2:5 “For there is one God and
one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,”
YLT: “for one God, one
also mediator of God and of men, the man Christ Jesus,”
Meaning of Words: “Mediator”: a
go-between, guarantor.
Literal Meaning: “For there is one God” “God” refers to the one who creates and
judges the universe, the God whom we Christians believe in. The other so-called
“gods” are false gods imagined and made by men. God is one and only (1Cor.
8:4-6). We could confirm it from the phenomena of the universe that if there
were two or more gods, the universe won’t be in such an orderly way.
“And one Mediator between God and men” “Mediator” is a go-between between two
parties. “Between God and men” refers to facing both God and men. And therefore
the Mediator must have both the divinity and humanity (on one hand He must be
God completely so that He could represent God and on the other He must be a
perfect man so that He could represent men). The Lord Jesus is the Son of God
(John. 20:31) and therefore He is God (John. 1:1). He is also the word that
became flesh (John. 1:14) and therefore He is a man. In addition, after he was
risen from the dead, He is still both God and man (Heb. 1:8; Acts. 7:55-56) and
therefore He has the qualification for a mediator forever (Heb. 7:22-25).
“The Man Christ Jesus” “The man” is the procedure for Christ’s
being the Mediator, otherwise He could not be qualified to die for men (See
Heb. 2:9, 14-15) and His experiences as a man make Him sympathize with our
infirmities more (Heb. 4:15; 2:18).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The word “for” in the beginning of this verse
explains why Christians need to make intercessions for all. It shows that it is
uneasy for men to know the only true God and the man Christ Jesus, the only
Mediator between God and men, without the intercessions of believers.
2) Since God is sole, we should believe and love
Him whole-heartedly and we should not worship the visible or invisible
idols------all men and things.
3) We should know not only that there is only one
true God in the universe but also there is one true “man” in the universe, i.e.
the man Christ Jesus. Only He is the man after God’s own heart and who reaches
the standard of God and therefore we have to rely on Him.
4) The man Christ Jesus is the only Mediator
between God and men and only through Him shall we be acceptable to God and
reconciled with God. And He is the only way (John. 14:6) and only through Him
shall we draw nigh unto God and have communion with Him.
5) Christ Jesus is the only Mediator and therefore
it indeed disobeys the truth that the Roman Catholic taught men to pray to God
for blessings through St. Mary or angels.
1Tim. 2:6 “who gave Himself a ransom
for all, to be testified in due time,”
YLT: “who did give
himself a ransom for all -- the testimony in its own times --”
The
Background: “ransom” at that
time slavery prevailed in the
Literal Meaning: “who gave Himself a ransom
for all” “gave” in the
original means giving up, sacrificing or dedicating; “ransom” refers to the
cost of compensation.
“To be testified in due time” It refers to the matter that Christ Jesus,
as the Mediator between God and men, gave Himself a ransom for all. “Be
testified” refers to being confirmed.
Concerning the “time”, the Bible exegetes have four
different kinds of explanations: 1) it refers to the time that the Lord Jesus
was crucified. The truth of redemption is manifested by His giving Himself. 2)
it refers to the time Christians preach the gospel and make men hear the
message of the gospel. The truth of redemption is manifested by the gospel. 3)
it refers to the time when men receive the gospel, i.e. the time of the
individual’s being saved. The truth of redemption is manifested through the
subjective experiences. 4) it refers to the second coming of the Lord. Before
the judgment seat of Christ, both believers and unbelievers shall confirm that
believers have received the redemption and unbelievers shall bear their own
sins.
According to the context, “for which I was appointed a
preacher” in v.7 seems to
show that he preached the gospel in order to testify the truth of redemption.
And therefore the second explanation is quite reasonable.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all,
including those who haven’t been saved yet. And therefore we should try our
best to preach the gospel to save men in order to be worthy of the will of the
Lord.
2) One of the aims that Christians are redeemed
from sins is to declare and prove the genuineness and reliability of
redemption. And therefore how should we ignore such a weighty mission.
1Tim. 2:7 “for which I was appointed
a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a
teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
YLT: “in regard to which
I was set a preacher and apostle -- truth I say in Christ, I do not lie -- a
teacher of nations, in faith and truth.”
Meaning of Words: “preacher”: herald,
announcer; “apostle”: he that is sent.
Literal Meaning: “for which I was appointed” “for which”: in order to confirm that
Christ Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all (See v.6). “I was appointed”
indicates that he was sent by God.
“A preacher and an apostle…a teacher of the Gentiles” “A preacher” refers to the one who is sent to
preach the message, i.e. an evangelist. “An apostle” refers to the one who is
sent to accomplish the mission, usually it refers to a worker who has the
authority to represent God to establish churches in various places. “A teacher”
refers to the one who teaches and explains the truth of the Bible. “A teacher of
the Gentiles” refers to a teacher who mainly teaches the Gentiles.
“In
faith and truth” it refers to a
teacher’s two tasks: 1) leading men to receive the correct faith; 2) teaching
men to know the right truth.
“I am speaking the truth in Christ and
not lying” this insertion
shows that the Lord entrusted Paul to be a apostle mainly to teach the Gentiles
to know the truth of the gospel (Gal. 2:7-8) and such commitment is an
absolutely true fact. At that time many Jews who were zealous in the law
(including believers and unbelievers) followed up Paul and destroyed his work
of preaching everywhere (See Acts. 15:1, 5; 17:5, 13; 18:12; 23:20-21, 27-28).
And their main excuse was that Paul was not the normal apostle and he was not
appointed by the Lord.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “For which I was appointed a preacher” It shows that what preachers do is
according to what the Lord Jesus has done (See v.5-6). And therefore if
preachers know the will and work of the Lord more, they shall have more burdens
and motives to serve Him.
2) The main obligations of preachers are to teach
men to receive the faith and know the truth. Unfortunately, today many
preachers do not do their proper business. On the contrary, they turn to do the
social welfare.
1Tim. 2:8 “I desire therefore that
the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;”
YLT: “I wish, therefore,
that men pray in every place, lifting up kind hands, apart from anger and
reasoning;”
Meaning of Words: “doubting”:
discussion, opinions to the doubtful point, statements of opinions; “holy”:
upright, pious, kind.
The
Background: “pray everywhere, lifting up
holy hands” In ancient times,
men usually prayed by lifting up their hands (See Exod. 9:29, 33; 17:11): when
praying, one stood, lifted up his hands and looked into the heaven, with his
palms facing up. It seemed that he hoped to receive the answer of his prayer
from God in heaven.
Literal Meaning: “I desire therefore that the
men…without wrath and doubting” In the original the word “desire” implies
ordering and it is a polite order. “Wrath” is of feelings and “doubting” is of
thoughts and both of them are the expressions of soul. When one’s soul is not
regulated or controlled appropriately, it shows that something is wrong with
his soul. One must pray to God and worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John.
4:24). And therefore here without wrath and doubting are listed as the
prerequisites to prayer.
Conversely, when one leads a normal life in prayer,
his heart must be in the normal state and naturally he will not (or seldom)
become wrathful or dispute with others. And therefore it also means “if men
want to be without
wrath and doubting, they must pray everywhere, lifting
up holy hands”.
Generally, it is easy for men to lose their temper
and dispute with others. And therefore Paul pointed out the problem for
correction, aiming at the features of men.
“Pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands” “hands” in the Bible symbolizes what men
have done (See Ps. 28:4-5); “holy hands” refers to clean hands and a pure heart
(Ps. 24:4), i.e. walking uprightly with pure motives.
Life in all godliness and reverence (See v.2) is
the backing of prayers and the prayers shall be heard by God. And prayers are
the power of source of the life in all godliness and reverence. And therefore
“holy hands” and “pray everywhere” are closely related to each other and they
are each other’s essential prerequisite.
Usually, women are more
pious and they pay more time in prayer; and men are too lazy to pray and they
like to neglect prayers with excuses that they are too busy in their work to
have time and they cannot find out the suitable place. And therefore Paul put
an end to men’s excuses.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christians should not argue with men or cause
disputes. Only when we have harmonious relationship with men shall we have
normal relationship with God (See Matt. 5:23-24).
2) Wrath and disputes will hinder us from leading
the normal life in prayers and therefore we should learn to bridle our feelings
and thoughts and do not allow them to be let off randomly.
3) “Without doubting” means that one should pray by
faith and not doubt. We should have pure motives in our prayers and rely on God
only.
4) The spiritual things cannot be understood by men’s
wisdom (1Cor. 2:13-14) and therefore the principle of Christians’ walkings is
that believing is before understanding instead of that understanding is before
believing. It is praying by faith first instead of disputing by rationalities
first.
5) The pious life (the hands are holy) support and
strengthen the life of prayers. And the life of prayers is also contributive to
the pious life (one is able to have holy hands to life up).
6) Prayers should be made at all seasons (See Eph.
6:18). One should have the fixed times and places to lead a normal life in
prayers, however, he cannot be restrained by times and places.
1Tim. 2:9 “in like manner also, that
the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation,
not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,”
YLT: “in like manner also
the women, in becoming apparel, with modesty and sobriety to adorn themselves,
not in braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or garments of great price,”
Meaning of Words: “propriety”:
bashfulness, shame; “moderation”: soundness of mind, keep the mind; “modest”:
orderly, decorous, dignified; “adorn”: dress up, decorate oneself.
The
Background: at that time, women
under the control of the
Literal Meaning: “in like manner also, that
the women…with propriety and
moderation” “propriety” refers
to the state of mind that is constricted by the noble sense of shame and it is
shown in one’s polite, modest and restrained behavior. “Moderation” refers to
the sober and self-controlled mind and one could control himself.
“Propriety” stresses on the attitude
and “moderation” stresses on the heart.
“Adorn themselves in modest apparel” “in modest apparel” refers to the clothes
conforming to the status and positions of the Saints. “Adorn” refers to wearing
and manner.
“Not with braided hair or gold or pearls
or costly clothing” “Braided hair”
indicates that one is particular about his hair style and spends too much time
and money in the hair. “Gold or pearls” refers to the precious jewelry and
ornaments, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and etc. “Costly
clothing” refers to excessively luxury clothes.
Controversial Clarification: some conservative Christians, according to
this verse, criticized sisters for their clothes easily and they thought that
they were covetous of the world. And some sisters misunderstood this verse and
they all wore the identical cheongsam and simple hair. They thought these
conformed to the Bible. But actually, they were overstrict in correcting
mistakes and it was helpless to the witness of Christians. Here I provide
following several opinions carefully for reference to clothes:
1) Everyone has different standard, concerning
whether he is covetous of the world in his clothes. To the degree of our
spiritual life, let us walk by the same rule (Phil. 3:16) and we should not use
the identical standard.
2) The clothes of Christians may also change with
the times and environments more or less. To give an example: it was fashionable
one hundred years ago to be dressed in a suit and it is normal today. Our
clothes should neither be ahead of the time nor old-fashioned or improper.
3) Though the general likes and dislikes of the
times change all the time, however, most of the fashions are conspicuous to
meet the needs of the flesh. And therefore Christians should not follow the
fashions invariably and but choose properly according to the principles of the
Bible.
4) Principles that conform to “propriety and
moderation”: a) do not be scantily-clothed; b) not be frivolous, coquettish and
do not solicit fanciful thoughts.
5) Principles that conform to “modest apparel”: a)
clothes should be neat and tidy instead of shabby or sloppy; b) clothes should
be decent and worthy of the Saints and their social positions; c) the colors of
the clothes should be elegant and sober instead of gorgeous; d) we should not
be dressed in exotic clothes to attract others’ attention.
6) Principles that conform to “not with braided
hair”: a) the hair style should be natural and pleasing to the eye and not be
conspicuous; b) we should not wear heavy make-up and sometimes we need to make
up ourselves properly for politeness.
7) Principles that conform to “not with gold or
pearls”: a) we’d better not wear ornaments except the wedding ring; b) we
should not be richly bejeweled.
8) Principles that
conform to “not with costly clothing”: a) we should take economical and
practical cloth into consideration and avoid fur and other expensive cloth; b)
we should not pay high price of dress designing and cutting out for the style.
9) Principles that conform to environments and
occasions: a) leisure wear is different from clothes for the outdoors; b)
sports wear is different from working clothes; c) summer clothes are different
from winter clothes; d) mourning clothes are different from ceremonial dress.
10) Principles that conform to the feelings of
life: we wear some clothes if there is peace in us and we do not some clothes
if there is peace in us.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Today the worldly women dress themselves,
following the fashion at will and usually they are found shameless. Though it
is not suitable for sisters to be old-fashioned, we should not follow the
customs of this world blindly but have a sense of propriety.
2) “The sense of shame” is the best protection of
women. And “modest apparel” is women’s strongest line of defense and the most
beautiful expression.
3) Generally it is easy for men to become wrathful
and dispute with others (See v.8) and women like showing off themselves in
their wearing. However, brothers should replace wrath and disputes with prayers
and sisters should replace exotic wear with modest apparel. In this way, the
witness of Christians shall be manifested.
4) If we put in time and effort in dressing so as
to cause jealousy and disputes, it will harm, not profit the friendly
communication among believers in the church.
5) Costume and accessories represent one’s
appearance. Believers should not be particular about clothes excessively,
however, we should not regard it as unimportant. We should pay attention to
others’ impressions.
6) The clothes of preachers should be examples to
believers and they should show the piety according to the principles of the
Bible.
1Tim. 2:10 “but, which is proper for
women professing godliness, with good works.”
YLT: “but -- which becometh
women professing godly piety -- through good works.”
Meaning of Words: “good works”: good
behavior; “professing”: announce, promise; “proper”: suitable, right, fit,
worthy, symmetrical.
Literal Meaning: “but…with good
works” “good works” refer to the outer good behavior shown from the inner
hearts (See 1Pet. 3:4-5).
“Which is proper for women professing
godliness” “professing”
implies estimating oneself; “godliness” is fearing God; “proper” means
veritable.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Sisters had better not pay too much attention to
their appearances but stress on the inner characters and virtue shown by
characters (See Phil. 4:8).
2) Believers should conduct ourselves worthily of
faith (See Phil. 1:27) and be separate to unbelievers. Then we shall shine as
lights in the world (Phil. 2:15).
3) One’s behavior proves the intentions in his
heart. The true godly men must show behavior worthy of godliness.
1Tim. 2:11 “Let a woman learn in
silence with all submission.”
YLT: “Let a woman in
quietness learn in all subjection,”
The
Background: at that time, women
had low rights within the border of
Literal Meaning: “Let a woman learn in
silence” “in silence”
refers to quite; “learn” refers to learning the truth.
“With
all submission” “all” refers to
everything. In the original the word “submission” stresses on submitting
instead of obeying. “Submitting” indicates that one submits himself to God’s
arrangement willingly and “obeying” refers to the outer obedience of actions.
If one “obeys” God externally and does not submit to Him, it is not the
“submission” in the Bible.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) In Christianity all believers are allowed to
have the rights and responsibilities to learn the truth. The male or the female
and the young or the old all need to grow in the knowledge (2Pet. 3:18). And
therefore every believer has to put in time and effort in learning. However, we
should not be those who learn but are unable to come to the knowledge (See
2Tim. 3:7; Heb. 5:12).
2) What’s the most important in learning the truth
is to have “the ears of the instructed” first and then we shall have the “the
tongue of the instructed” (See Is. 50:4). We should be swift to hear and slow
to speak (James. 1:19) and in this way we won’t make mistakes.
3) The submission of the Bible is not the
one-sided, rude and unreasonable subduing but the spontaneous and willing
submission. Such submission comes from the spiritual knowledge.
1Tim. 2:12 “And I do not permit a
woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.”
YLT: “and a woman I do
not suffer to teach, nor to rule a husband, but to be in quietness,”
Literal Meaning: “And I do not permit a woman
to teach” “do not permit”
refers to not allowing and not giving permission to; “teach” refers to
explaining and teaching the truth with authority and here it means teaching
men.
“Or
to have authority over a man” “or” shows that
this sentence is parallel to the previous sentence. And it is not the
repetition or reinforcement. “Have authority over a man” refers to attempting
at grasping more power to give orders.
“But
to be in silence.” “Being in silence”
refers to being quite and clam. This sentence could be the supplement to the
first sentence------“do not permit a woman to teach” and be used to explain the
second sentence------“or to have authority over a man” because speech is the
main method to have authority over others.
Controversial Clarification: the principle of interpreting the Bible is
“not of any private interpretation” (2Pet. 1:20, not of its own interpretation
in the original). It means that it cannot conflict with other scriptures and
should be balanced with “it is written again” (Matt. 4:7). According to this
principle, in this verse women were not fully forbidden from teaching and some
conditions were forbidden in accordance with the special background at that
time (please see the background in v.11). The reasons are as follows:
1) Paul allowed women to prophesy with their heads
covered in other scripture (1Cor. 11:5) and from the context in that place, the
reason why women covered their heads is men’s presence.
2) Paul also allowed that “the older women
likewise…teachers of good things…that they admonish the young women” (Tit.
2:3-4), showing that women could teach women.
3) There is no lack of living examples that women
bore witness, proclaimed the gospel and talked about Christ (John. 4:39; Luke.
2:38; Acts. 18:26; Ps. 68:11) in the Bible.
4) In the church of the New Testament, there are
both prophets and prophetesses who prophesied (Acts. 21:9-10).
5) The “not permitting” in this verse should
specially refers to: a) not permitting the unlearned women to teach; b) not
permitting women to teach with their heads uncovered (i.e. surpassing their
original states).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) In the new creation men and women are equal
(Gal. 3:28), however, their functions and roles are different (1Cor. 11:3).
What matters is how to fulfill one’s own duty instead of how to strive for
power and position.
2) We could learn a lesson from the church history:
once a woman surpasses her state and lifts up her head, she is usually utilized
by the devil to make some heresies (for example, Christian Science, Seventh Day
Adventists, Church of Almighty God and etc).
3) Silence is the best tactic. Christians are the
light of the world and salt of the earth and salt and light take effect in
silence.
1Tim. 2:13 “For Adam was formed
first, then Eve.”
YLT: “for Adam was first
formed, then Eve,”
Meaning of Words: “form”: mould,
shape; “Adam”: man, red; “Eve”: living, mother of all men.
Literal Meaning: “For Adam was formed first” “For” expresses the first reason why a
woman is not permitted to have authority over a man. “Being formed first”
refers to the order in which God created men. It shows that Paul did not
belittle women but brought us back to the plan and arrangement in the beginning
when God created men (See 1Cor. 11:8-9).
“Then Eve” means that “Eve who was formed then” should
submit to “Adam who was formed first”. It is of God’s arrangement and we should
not reply against God (See Rom. 9:20).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christians should not judge the rationality of
everything according to faits accomplis and we should turn to “the beginning”
of it (See Matt. 19:8; 1Cor. 11:8) and seek God’s purpose and arrangement for
it.
2) The essence of “submission” (See v.11) is to
respect the order that God has arranged. All feelings or actions that ignore
the order are the resistance to God.
1Tim. 2:14 “And Adam was not
deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”
YLT: “and Adam was not
deceived, but the woman, having been deceived, into transgression came,”
Literal Meaning: “And Adam was not deceived” “And” expresses the second reason why a
woman is not permitted to have authority over a man. “Deceived” indicates that
Satan lured men into transgressing the order of God (See Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-6).
“But
the woman being deceived, fell into transgression” “the
woman being deceived” refers to the case
that Eve was deceived by the serpent (See Gen. 3:13). “Fell into transgression”
refers to the case that sin entered into the world (Rom. 5:12).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God formed Adam first (See v.13) and Satan
deceived Eve first and the orders of them are opposite to each other. The
result of God’s order is “very good” (Gen. 1:27, 31); the result of Satan’s
order is depravation (Gen. 3:6, 13).
2) Everyone who exalts himself and surpasses the
order that God has arranged falls into Satan’s principle of depravation and in
the result, he shall fall into transgression.
3) The fact that Satan deceived Eve shows that it
is easier for women to be deceived. And therefore it is the best protection
that God has arranged for women to submit to men’s judgment and decisions.
4) Men and women have different gifts in the
physiology and psychology, for example, men are stronger and women are weaker;
men stress on sense and women stress on sensibility; men make decision easily
and women are more irresolute and hesitant and etc. And therefore purely from
the viewpoint of God’s creation, the safest way for women is to receive the
protection of men instead of flaunting their superiority.
1Tim. 2:15 “Nevertheless she will be
saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with
self-control.”
YLT: “and she shall be
saved through the child-bearing, if they remain in faith, and love, and
sanctification, with sobriety.”
Meaning of Words: “continue”: abide,
remain, adhere to.
Literal Meaning: “Nevertheless…if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with
self-control.” “Nevertheless”
shows the way to receive grace and be saved from distress. The emphasis of
“faith” is towards God, i.e. relying on God (Heb. 6:1;
“She will be saved in childbearing” “childbearing” refers to giving birth to
child. “Be saved” indicates that one is kept and saved from the natural and
potential danger and tribulations (See Acts. 27:20, 31, 34), i.e. coming
through the danger and tribulations.
All through the ages, the Bible exegetes had
various explanations to this verse: 1) one is kept by God physically in the
course of pregnancy and childbirth. 2) one receives comfort and strength from
God during the painful course of childbirth. 3) one finds her greatest
achievement in the mission of bearing and rearing children which could redeem
the failure that Eva transgressed first. 4) even if a woman bears children with
pain (Gen. 3:16), she herself shall be saved (1Cor. 3:15). 5) women, being
deceived, fell into transgression (See v.14), however, they were redeemed from
sins because of “the seed of the woman”------Christ, just as what Eve had
received. 6) one receives the salvation of spirit and soul through giving birth
to Jesus the Savior, just as what Mary had received (Luke. 1:28-31, 46-48).
The editor agreed on explaining this verse
literally rather than explaining it spiritually------the modern Bible exegetes
with modern scientific insight held that faith was not related to the easy
delivery. And consequently there is not practical help to us. To many pious
sisters of all the past dynasties, such precious promise gave them special help
in the course of childbearing. And therefore we should understand and receive
it literally and experience God’s promise subjectively and we shall have peace
which surpasses every understanding. However, we should take care of the
application of this verse: 1) this promise is conditional and it is only
effective to the women who continue
in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. 2) we should receive the professional suggestion
from physicians and if that they held that Cesarean section was necessary
according to the physical conditions, we should not ignore the suggestion.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers please God by faith (Heb. 11:6),
manifest the Lord by love (John. 13:35) and see the Lord boldly by holiness and
self-control (Heb. 12:14).
2) Those who continue in faith, love, and holiness,
with self-control shall receive God’s blessings and it profits the life that
now is and of that which is to come (See 4:8).
3) Though childbearing is a kind of tribulation to
women, the pious women could turn the tribulation to joy and blessings.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Knowledge of Prayer
I. The kinds of prayer (v.1):
A. supplication.
B. prayer.
C. intercession.
D. giving of thank.
II. The objects of
prayer:
A. all men (v.1).
B. kings and all who are in authority
(v.2).
III. The reasons for
intercession:
A. we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and reverence (v.2b).
B. this is good and acceptable in the
sight of God our Savior (v.3).
IV. The four main
essence of prayer (v.8):
A. we should pray in quietness and
without any wrath towards others.
B. we should pray by faith, without
doubting.
C. we should pray with the support of
holy hands (walkings).
D. we should pray everywhere.
The Main Workers of Preachers
II. Teaching all men
to understand and believe the truth of being saved (v.4b-7a).
III. Teaching
believers learn the truth and lead a life in all godliness (v.7b-15).
The Reason Why God Desires All Men to Be
Saved
I. Because there is
one God (v.5a)------all races and all nations are of one true God.
II. Because there is
one Mediator between God and men (v.5b)------there is not salvation in any
other.
III. Because He gave
Himself a ransom for all (v.6)------the objects of redemption include all the
world.
IV. Because God
appointed preachers, apostles (missionaries) and teachers for this purpose
(v.7).
The Essential Points of the Faith of
Christianity
I. Believing in the
one true God (v.5a; Deut. 6:4).
II. Believing in the
one Mediator (v.5b; Acts. 4:12).
III. Relying on the
one redemption------Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all (v.6; Matt. 20:28).
What Women that Believe should Know
A. women should adorn themselves in
modest apparel (v.9).
B. women should have good works (v.10).
II. In the meetings
of the church:
A. women should learn in silence with
all submission (v.11-12a).
B. women should not have authority over
men (v.12b-14).
III. In the
house------women should continue in faith, love, and holiness, with
self-control (v.15).
The Conditions that Women should Have in the
Meetings of the Church
II. Learning in
silence (v.11-12).
III. Continuing in
holiness, with self-control (v.13-15).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren