I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator be tween God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verit y. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the tr ansgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. INTRODUCTION:

The burden of this letter is to instruct Timothy who is pastor of the church at Ephesus... To know how to behave in the house of God...the church of God...which is the pillar and ground of the truth. What we study in this epistle is directed to the local church.

Paul is writing with the authority of an apostle. He is very concerned about Timothy and his ministry. Timothy is timid..sickly...young, and needs encouragement. False teachers have come into the church. There seems to be confusion over various i ssues. Errors of doctrine and practice have arisen. These are the things that concern Paul. Because Timothy is timid and young, Paul feels that he will not take the firm stand that needs to be taken. He is aware of the problems that youth brings.

Paul charged that they "teach no other doctrine". Timothy was not to allow false doctrine to be taught. There is ONLY ONE GOSPEL...and if an angel or even Paul himself under some unforeseen circumstance should preach ANY OTHER ...let that angel or even Paul be accursed..damned of God. Paul warned against giving to Jewish fables... Paul warned about "endless genealogies"...Jewish teachings. Paul warned about those that "ask questions". The purpose of teaching is to "edify the soul..the church." The end result of what we do in teaching is to BUILD UP THE CHRISTIAN.

The Great Commission is in three parts:

We are to MAKE disciples..that is soul winning. All of us should be effective witnesses for Christ. All of us should seek to win the lost to Christ. This is the commission to the church and us thru it. This is God’s method of getting people saved . God could have used other methods, but He chose this one. We are to be soul winners..and if so, we are wise. We are to BAPTIZE disciples..an act of obedience. Baptism follows naturally the new birth. Baptism should be the first act of obedien ce after salvation. Baptism identifies us with Christ and the church. Baptism is VERY important in the life of a Christian. We are to TEACH those we win to Christ. Teaching is just as important as the other two. Teaching is a vital part of our ministry. Teaching should instruct the Christian..build him up. Teaching should give the Christian what he needs for life. Te aching is feeding the soul and life of a Christian.

We are "feed the church of God which he hath purchased..." Christians are to GROW in grace and in knowledge. This is done as we teach to EDIFY the soul and life.

The law...over which these Ephesians were making the issue....was given to PRODUCE LOVE. LOVE makes keeping the commandments a joy...not a burden. LOVE creates a desire to serve...to do more. Jesus said..."If ye love me keep my commandments." Jesu s said..."Why call ye me Lord, and do not the things that I say?" Paul said to the Corinthians..."the love of Christ constrained him."

VERSES 1-4 1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 F or this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Chapter 2 continues the exhortation to Timothy. Chapter 2 is occupied mainly about the mode of conducting public worship. Timothy had been left at Ephesus to complete the plans which the apostle had started in reference to the church. Paul was " directed by the Holy Spirit" to leave before he had opportunity to put into effect all the things that were necessary for the church at Ephesus. Paul is giving directions on many subjects... Public prayer...

For whom to pray... The necessity of praying for the lost. The way prayers were to be offered etc. The duties of women in the church.

PUBLIC WORSHIP..... Worship is a wonderful thing, and should occupy a very vital place in our lives. We call the 11 o’clock service the WORSHIP SERVICE... This is really not a correct statement. It is a service unto the Lord and could very well b e a worship service. That depends on those who gather together. WORSHIP is NOT just soft music and soft prayers. WORSHIP is NOT just reading the scriptures. WORSHIP is an attitude of heart and soul. Worship is to come together in adoration of Hi m. Worship is to come together to sing praises to Him. Worship is when God’s people have their hearts cleansed with the Word of God and come together with nothing between their soul and the Saviour.

ILLUS: Remember the O.T. Tabernacle. The priest must go by the brazen laver before he could enter the Holy Place. The brazen laver was a place where all dirt was washed off.. Before the priest could enter the presence of God, he must be clean. This repr esents that before we worship all sin is confessed. This represents that we get rid of the things of the world that tend to stick to us as we pass thru it.

PUBLIC WORSHIP must be in God’s directed place...not every place. See DEU 12:1 These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. DEU 12:10-14 But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; 11 Then there shall be a place wh ich the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unt o the LORD: 12 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. 13 Tak e heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 14 But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.

PUBLIC WORSHIP cannot be entered without sacrifice. We MUST NEVER appear before the Lord empty.

IN REALITY... Most services are evangelistic soul winning efforts... Or, they are designed to edify the believer... Or, they are designed to instruct the Christian... Most services are NOT really worship services. However, there are people who come and worship in those services. Paul is concerned about this matter in the church.

"I exhort"....."therefore"..... Because of what Paul had said in chapter 1.... Concerning the ministry and privilege of prayer... Concerning the freeness of salvation... Concerning shipwrecked lives... Paul exhorts Timothy to PRAY.... Paul wants Timothy to be faithful and diligent in this matter of prayer.

"first of all" That means that prayer is a primary duty... This is of primary importance...this is vital. Prayer NEEDS to come FIRST. Prayer is a DUTY...it is also a PRIVILEGE.

Note the different words he uses: "prayers" This signifies good wishes and desires, directly expressed to God for things that are desired of God for ourselves and for others. Prayer is a sincere desire of the heart. Prayer is to be made for ALL MEN.

"intercessions" An entreaty in behalf of another or others. This is what Abraham did for Lot and Sodom...he interceded. This is what Christ did in John 17...a prayer of intercession. HEB 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unt o God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

He pleads for our salvation on the ground of what He has done for us. He is our Advocate...pleading our cause before the Father.

"giving of thanks" Thanks given to God for mercies received. Thanks given to God for temporal and spiritual blessings.

NOTE: One of the marks of the generation that will be alive when Jesus comes FOR his own is that they are UNTHANKFUL... Ingratitude is a base and ugly sin. To fail to be thankful... To fail to render thanks... To fail to express gratitude to God and others. We need to give thanks for the mercy of God on ourselves, We need to give thanks to God for His goodness to others. We need to give thanks to God for the salvation provided. We need to give thanks to God that no one is excluded from His me rcy. We need to give thanks that God uses us to being sinners to Himself.

"for all men" Prayers should be made for all men. All men need the mercy and grace of God. All men have the opportunity for salvation.

NOTE: This was opposed to the narrow and bigoted feelings of the Jews who regarded the Gentile world as excluded from convenant mercies, and having no offer of life. Christ broke down that middle wall of partition... Christ made both the Jew and Gentile one in Christ. NOW....both Jew and Gentile can be saved... We need to pray for "all men"....not just one segment.

HAVE YOU NOTICED? We sometimes become bigoted and narrow... We sometimes want to exclude certain ones... But we are to PRAY FOR ALL MEN.....

Christ said we are to "pray for our enemies." Christ said we are to "pray for those who despitefully use us." Christ said we are to "pray for those who persecute us." Stephen prayed for those who stoned him to death. Christ prayed for those who cr ucified Him.

Prayer IS NOT to be made for those in heaven or hell. Prayer IS NOT to be made for those who sin unto death...

1JO 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unt o death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Prayer IS NOT to thank God for all men...we are not thankful for communists and ungodly and wicked men...but prayer is to be made for them.

"for kings" Paul names those for whom prayer is to be made. Kings are rulers and as such are to be respected... ROM 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if t hou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Those who guide our nation need our prayers. So much depends on their character and plans. The security of life, liberty, and property depends on them. We need to pray that a divine influence be pressed on them.

LEARN: The salvation of a king is of no more importance that the salvation of a slave...but the welfare of thousands may depend upon him, hence he should be a special object of our prayers.

"for all that are in authority" Those of elevated rank. The happiness of all under them depends greatly on them. We need to pray for any leader...anyone in authority. It is our solemn duty to pray for such.

"that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life" We pray that those in authority might protect us. We pray that they might do the best for us.

"in all godliness and honesty" Godliness refers to piety..or duty that we owe to God. Honesty refers to the duty we owe to our fellowmen. God is able to do great things...we need to pray. Search the O.T. and see what prayers did for rulers.

"For this is good and acceptable" It is good and acceptable to God that we should pray for all men.

REASON: He desires their salvation...agrees we should pray for them. If there were no provision made for their salvation, or if he was unwilling that they should be saved...it would not be well to pray for them. BUT... "who (God) will have all men to be saved" God is longsuffering...not willing that any should perish. God willeth not the death of any man... God uses all proper means to secure their salvation. God does not use means to PREVENT their salvation.

LEARN: Not all men will be saved... However, that is not God’s fault....God has provided a way of salvation. It is not that God does not want them to be saved.

HOWEVER..... Every man is responsible. "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God..." If a man hears, and refuses, then he is responsible. Romans chapter 1 tells us that ALL MEN ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. SO...IT IS NOT GOD’S FAULT IF MEN ARE NOT SAVED. God so loved..... God gave His only begotten Son... God sent the Holy Spirit to convict of sin.... God draws men to Himself.

VERSES 5.6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Paul is giving reasons why God wished the salvation of all men. Paul is giving reasons why there is no limit on God’s part. 1. There is one God over all...One mediator between God and man. 2. Christ have himself a ransom for all...showing that God desired their salvation.

"For there is one God" This is the reason for offering prayer for all men... God has made men of "one blood"... all are descendants of Adam. Therefore God has the same interest in each and every one. He did not make the Jew of one blood and the Gentile of another. Ther e is NOT one God for the Jew and another for the Gentile. There is NOT one God for rulers and another for subjects. THERE IS ONE GOD...and no other.

"one mediator between God and Man" CHRIST is the mediator between God and man.... Not just some men...but ALL men. A mediator is a go-between. A mediator is a "daysman"...that is what Job wanted. The priest is not a mediator. The preacher is not a mediator. The church is not a m ediator... CHRIST is the mediator. "the man Christ Jesus"

Note He is both human and divine. This is the gold and the wood combined in one man. he was man...born of a virgin. He was God ...conceived of the Holy Ghost.

He was man...and as such had the same physical reaction of man..ate, slept, wearied, rejoiced, wept, sorrowed, was heavy hearted. He was God..and as God there was never a moment that He was not Omnipotent... He could still the storm. He could raise the dead. He could heal the sick. HE WAS GOD...upholding all things by the Word of His power.

"who gave himself a ransom for all" Just as Christ died for all ...it is proper to pray for all... The fact that He died for all is proof that He desired the salvation of all. There was enough sufficiency in the death of Christ to save ALL who would believe...

"to be testified in due time" He is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. The message of Christ would go into the entire world.

VERSE 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Paul was ordained of God...not men. He was ordained to testify that Christ gave himself a ransom for all. "Ordained" means "set aside". Paul was separated unto the Gospel. Paul takes an oath...that this is true...that he was ordained of God.

NOTE: He was ordained...NOT just to preach to Jews...but to Gentiles. He was especially appointed for this work. He was the apostle to the Gentiles.

VERSE 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

This tells HOW men are to pray. It is Paul’s will that men pray like this. Paul felt that men....all men....ought to pray every where ....not just in specified places such as the temple.

NOTE: The Jews thought there was a special efficacy to prayers offered in the temple. The heathen had the same view about their temples.

Christianity teaches us that God can be reached anywhere....at any times...and all of us are equally close to Him. HEB 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We are to come boldly to the throne of grace. Everyone can come...anyone can come....all may come. One does not have to be in some special place to pray. One does not have to be in a special position to pray. PAUL WANTS US TO PRAY.....

"lifting up holy hands" This was a gesture that the Jews practiced. They prayed with their hands turned upward. ILLUS: Moody prayed like that...hands upward to receive. "holy hands" indicate sins confessed. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." We need to be on praying ground to pray. "without wrath and doubting" Hearts right with God. C laiming the promises of God by faith. Jesus said, "When you pray...believe...and you shall receive." We need to approach God in a pure and holy manner. Our hearts are not to be filled with evil...nor our minds with doubt. We are to believe...and we shall receive.

VERSES 9,10 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

This passage indicates that women were full and active members in the early church... 1CO 11:4-5 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovere d dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. Look in 1CO 14:33-35 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not p ermitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. EPH 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. COL 3:18-19 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. TIT 2:1-10 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accuser s, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of G od be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9 Exh ort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Peter spoke of the witness of women and their conduct at home...

1PE 3:1-7 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose ado rning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters y e are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

A woman is not presented as having any FEWER rights upon her husband than he has upon the wife. GAL 3:28 declares there is no distinction between male and female in Christ. The whole thesis of Paul concerning women is that there must be respect f or the differences which exist between men and women as such...and that the external differing aspects of appearance should be maintained. We should not mistake a man for a woman..by their dress, their hair, nor their behavior. God has appointed ta sks for women and tasks for men. No man can bear a child...and no woman can assume the role of a husband. God expects each one of us to perform the duties of his or her God- given endowments.

LEARN: Paul recognized women as friends and co-workers in the Gospel... ROM 16:1-4 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succ ourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Priscilla is called a fellow worker in Christ Jesus. Paul does not differentiate between Priscilla and Acquila.

Paul’s main concern is that no woman would appear as a woman of immoral character by looking like a woman of ill repute. So Paul begins:

"In like manner" Just as men are to life holy hands... Women are to be moderately dressed, humble, sober. Their outward adorning is to be that as becometh the children of God. They are not to adorn themselves as idol worshippers... They are not to try to look lik e those who worship idols...

LEARN: We are not heard because of how we look...but God looks to the man or woman of a broken and contrite heart. Paul feels that Christian women should adorn (dress) modestly. Paul feels that they should dress as becometh saints. Paul is NOT OPPOSED t o a woman adorning herself as a woman.

"modest apparel" That word means well-ordered, decorous, becoming. It does not mean "modest" as opposed to "immodest", which tends to incite passions, but that which is becoming and appropriate.

NOTE: Paul does not specify what this would be... He mentions some things that should be excluded... She should not dress lavishly... She should not dress offensively...

"shamefacedness" means she is not boisterous..not loud- mouthed. She is to act modestly, as well as dress modestly.

"sobriety" Sober-mindedness...as opposed to frivolous. "braiding of hair" In the East women paid more attention to their hair than in other nations. It was plaited with care, ornamented.... Christian women were not to imitate those who ornamented their hair to worship some heathen god. They were not to look like freaks.

NOTE: Paul is not saying that women should not groom their hair. He is not saying they should not use powder, paint, and make- up. He IS saying...they are not to use it to look like women of ill- repute or idol- worshippers.

VERSES 11,12 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. The woman , or wife, was to display a tranquil spirit in her attempt to learn.

BEAR IN MIND: Women in that day were not allowed education. They were untaught...learned only what men wanted them to learn. Paul encouraged the wife...the woman..to ask questions and to learn, but not to be of such a nature as to disturb the services. She was not to ask questions to embarrass her husband...at least publicly. To be in subjection was to recognize her posi tion in relation to her husband.

"I suffer not a woman to teach..." First of all, this has nothing to do with Sunday School. Sunday School came into existence in the 18^th century. So...we are not even to consider a woman, or a man, teaching a Sunday School class. This does not even enter into the picture. The word here is "wife"...not woman. She is not to teach continuously...Paul did not want her teaching constantly. If she did she would undermine the husband’s position, giving the impression that she is the head of the husband...which is contrary to God’s order. She was not to take t he position of a man...or her husband. She was not to "take over" the meeting.

"unsurp authority" has to do with a person who ruled even to the point of committing murder. It means absolute sway or authority. A wife should no do anything in her private or public life to kill the position of her husband. A wife should never be a unsurper of the role of a husband or a father.

VERSES 13-15 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

It is that the husband is BETTER or more intelligent or more worthy.... It is simply the order originally ordained by God, and as such must be respected. Two personalities constitute one body, one flesh..can have only one head. This is God’s order. Paul carries us back to the fall. He informs us again that Adam was not deceived...he willingly plunged into sin for the sake of Eve.

"she shall be saved in childbearing" Three possible interpretations. First, she shall find her own salvation by bringing up children in faith and love. Second, the salvation is the "seed of the woman" of Gen 3:15...or saved through "the child bearing". GEN 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." However it is possible it means that she shall be saved from spiritual uselessness...vs. 11-1 4 seem to have condemn her to that fate. However, she has her chance in the children she bears, for, while she cares for all their physical and temporal needs, she can, as no one else, minister to their spiritual welfare. his might have reference t o Timothy’s spiritual training by his mother and grandmother. The woman has a ministry in the home that no one else has.