1 TIMOTHY 2

In the first Chapter   Paul stressed the danger of false teachers, and the danger of straying from control of public worship.  In this chapter, he wants to help people become Christians, and how to get to heaven.  He tells, that God wants all to be saved because Jesus came to die on the Cross, and was a ransom to pay the penalty for all sin committed.

 This does not mean however, that people can sit back and say well God has saved me, I can live as I wish; it does mean you follow and live, as Jesus commanded. This call comes right through the New Testament, God was reconciling the world to Himself.

Paul is concerned that people may be unaware they can be enlightened; they may be lost, but could be found by a loving God, who cares for all people.

There is a need to pause and remember that Jesus came into the world knowing He would have to die on that Cross, but did so to bring salvation for them.

The first 15 verses are about corporate prayer and intercessions and thanksgiving. Prayer was then made by people standing or sitting, with hands held out with palms pointing upwards, this symbolized people seeking forgiveness.

It is so easy to find God, but often, people do not look to thank God for answering.

Paul states we must pray for Kings, Queens and all in authority. I find this a hard task to ask, when I see even members of the royal family and Prime Ministers, following a course of life which leads people astray. I think also there should be a caveat, that evil men like Hitler, Stalin,  can order and carry out such brutality as they did. Clement of Rome added regarding prayer, ‘grant them O Lord health peace and stability that they may cause no offence in administering the gift you have given’.  Our justification may be based on the fact that God did use various leaders in order to fulfil a purpose.

There is only one God; there is no greater truth. We are regularly told there are other gods, but they may be those related to other faiths, but for Christians there is only One God. Other faiths may have their own gods, but it shows lack of knowledge when people say we all worship the one God, we certainly do not. In fairness, Islam would never accept worship of a God of Israel, with a Jewish Savior, and 12 Jewish Apostles. They do not believe any God had a Son. Hindus and Buddhists do not accept the Cross, and what it  means. People must accept there is a difference, and respect the right of people to worship as they believe without friction between faiths.

 There is one Mediator, Jesus Christ. He acts on our behalf, praying for us and acting as our contact with God. Only through Jesus can contact with God be made.

There is no need to have a priest to whom you must confess, and receive absolution; Jesus does this.

Paul spoke about preaching. This was God’s method of communicating with the world, and whilst not terribly popular for many people, it has for centuries been the best way of having the Gospel proclaimed.

Paul talks of himself as an herald, one who goes out and proclaims to the people that which his King has told him to do, and not to add his own opinion or comment. Paul is a witness, one who was present at an event, and can give a first-hand account of what took place. He is also an envoy, one who represents his King in another country, and finally he is a teacher, one who explains facts and explains meaning.

We come to a controversial verse which is not a popular one for preachers, anxious to avoid trouble. I have noticed commentators do not give much space to an explanation, but here I go.

A favorite answer, is it was written under the influence of a Jewish culture and referred  specifically to women in churches. I am not sure it is as simple as that, for Paul knew his Letters would be seen long after he was with his Lord in heaven. He states  ‘I do not permit women to teach or exercise authority over a man’.   Here he is speaking as an Apostle, not as just giving an opinion. Paul was a co-worker with God, and when Paul speaks, he speaks for God.

Paul goes on, to refer to the order of creation to support his statement, Eve being the first to sin. followed by Adam, so leaving men to lead.

There are some cults within the Church, who go to excess, such as a Brethren meeting I attended as a guest years ago, and I noticed a lady was present who never spoke a word, when I knew she was a very intelligent woman.  When I asked why this was, I was told a woman must not speak when a man is present. Such is pure discourtesy and discrimination.

Four explanations have been offered to suggest what Paul might have meant. One the time of the culture; only women who were wives were meant; could not challenge a man’s decision; and a woman could hold office if under leadership of a man.

Humanity of people means this question will never be resolved this side of heaven, for neither opinion will be able to give way. Each preacher will have to face up and decide what course to take.

I have like all Minsters of the Church, vowed to follow the words of Scripture. In such case, that means preaching what the Bible states, which is God’s accepted teaching.  If there are any objections, they will be objecting to God.

The Roman Catholic Church has maintained the words of Scripture, something the Church of England has not done in several ways.

When the big campaign to ordinate women took place in the 1980s all women wanted it was said ,was to become priests, they were not seeking to be bishops.  Some people actually believed that. Of course within weeks, that was on its way out, and some fierce competition began and we have had women instituted as bishops.  From remarks some have made on appointment (oh dear).

If we turn to the most appropriate source for guidance, our Lord himself, it will be seen he never appointed a woman Apostle, yet he was not one to be influenced by culture of the day.  As a man and Rabbi, he did the unthinkable, in helping a woman by a well.  He cleansed another woman who was devoted to him. Yet although he could have done, he never took the opportunity of making a woman Apostle.

We should not overlook other factors regarding women, especially the indirect support given. The maintenance of the Church, flower arrangements.  Ministers wives often make an impact. My wife was very popular with each congregation we served, and was invaluable to the people who wanted me to know something, which they didn’t want to tell me themselves. She was also an ear for those.

Let me quote a more relevant example. Some few years ago, I met a lady who originally came from Africa to live in this country.  In over all the  years in the Church ministry, I never met any man or woman with such a capacity for praying. In addition, she has been most supportive and inspirational for me personally. Is she less worthy of holding Church Office than a man, who is living in a way which Scripture condemns, or even a bishop who wants the Bible teaching on marriage to be abandoned, or an Archbishop who told a clergyman that if he wished to teach sexuality in accordance with the Bible, there was no place for him in the Church.  I think not

Some women will not agree, but they have been the ones to bring children into the world, and there is no occupation greater than a mother. She not only brings a child into the world, but guides and loves through all adversities as well as successes.  My  sons' first words when coming home were always, where is Mum; just as it is with many families. God gave women a more gentle and caring nature, which with exceptions, have been worldwide. Women should not feel second to men. they are equal but different. This is why God made marriage to be between a man and a woman.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Women are asked to dress with modestly, but that does not mean as if in mourning or dowdy style. I have seen women being criticized for their dress, usually by other women, for wearing bright dresses in church. 

What Paul is trying to convey, is that women should not dress ostentatiously or seductively, as some ladies know they are physically attractive and are often anxious to reveal the gifts they have been blessed with, in order to draw attention to themselves. Jewelry is acceptable, but not to excess.

All that has been written has to be considered as we see the Church falling apart in the Western Hemisphere.

Gone are the days when the opinion of the Church was valued and listened to. Bishops were granted seats in the House of Lords to represent the Church and be guardians of a moral culture, yet we find legislation being made which even a slight moral conviction would oppose, but allowed to pass without opposition.

The Minister of a Church was a respected person who would be acknowledged in his parish. All this has been diminished as the Church ministry has wandered away from biblical teaching. In Acts 2, we learn how the Apostle Peter preached the teaching of the Apostles and three thousand people responded.  The Church grew rapidly, and they were blessed by God.

We now live in a different culture, where many of the absolutes have been generally ignored, and the Church has gone along with this to such an extent we are more concerned with pleasing culture rather than pleasing God.

Cathedrals are to remove any statue which may offend.  This is in response to Black lives matter representation (How did we get this man, does he not know BLM is a left wing political force.)  There is no comparison to those wonderful Christians in the black Pentecostal Churches.

Where the Church does fail mightily is in its response to losing a member.  So often the lost person is not contacted and a reason sought to be rectified.  Ministers spend far

too much time wasting in committees and meetings.

.In the Eastern Hemisphere the Church is doing better, where people in  Africa are more committed to God than wealthier countries, despite not having the facilities we have. I do not say that  lightly, but from personal experience.

When Paul wrote this Letter, he could never have imagined it would be so relevant two thousand years later. May it be an inspiration to all people.