Overview: 1 Timothy 2:1–7

What does Paul consider of First Importance in the Christian life and What does it do? Prayer, and particularly corporate prayer, have a distinct priority to the Apostle to the Gentiles. And this practice of corporate prayer is not only the means by which the mediatorial work of Christ is applied to “every kind of people”, but it is the gift of God for peace and quiet amidst even the greatest suffering in the Christian life. Paul begins the section by implicitly addressing one of the positions of the false teachers: prayer. “First of all” conveys not only the order but also importance of the topic, and Paul urges Timothy (and with him, us) to offer “…supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings…” In the context of the passage, this is not simply personal prayer though personal prayer flows from corporate, from the gathering where Jesus is known in the midst of two or three to the prayer closet. Paul sees this commitment to corporate prayer as the application of “faith and truth” and particularly the mediatorial work of Christ for the salvation of all kinds of people. In other words, if we understand what Christ has done for us as our mediator (vv. 4, 5), we join with Him through corporate prayer to further His saving cause. Flowing from this work of Christ for us and through us is corporate prayer for “every kind of people… [and] for kings…” (vv. 1, 2). Echoing Cultural Mandate and the Abrahamic Covenant and its fulfillment in numerous passages including Jer. 29, Paul calls upon local churches as part of the Church to pray not simply for our family, i.e. Christians, but for people of every walk of life, including kings—even the ones we don’t like or even that persecute us. This is the fountainhead of Christ’s plan to renew all things, and it produces two sweet fruit: God’s pleasure (v. 3) and “peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” for Christians. As evidenced by Paul’s own story, a “peaceful… quiet life” is not one free from stress, lack, or suffering,  but peace that passes understanding in the thick of it.

Application

1. Simply put, commit to pleasing God, including first of all corporate prayer.

2. The fix for our city, our country, our nation, our world, is prayer through Christ to the Father by the power of Holy Spirit. For your own interest, be part of the solution.