Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 2

Verses 1-15

1 At the crisis in the apostle's career when this epistle was written, he first made known the secret of the evangel, the conciliation (Romans 5:11). The scope of blessing has been gradually widening. The evangel of the kingdom, linked with the name of David, included only

Israelites and proselytes. The evangel of God, associated with the name of Abraham, brought blessing to those among the nations who believed. The secret of the evangel (Romans 16:25) set forth in the fifth of Romans, called the conciliation, refers us to Adam, and reaches the whole race, though it brings reconciliation only to those who receive it. Hence our sympathies and prayers should go out for all mankind.

4 God's will for all mankind will not be fulfilled until the consummation (1 Corinthians 15:24). Only those who believe receive eonian salvation now. Those who acknowledge that God is greater than man, and that His will is more powerful than man's will, believe and exult in the final salvation of all mankind.

5 This passage is primarily intended to break down the bounds in which salvation had hitherto been confined. The testimony of past eras is no basis on which to build in this era. The testimony to the nations, committed to the apostle Paul (which he deems it necessary to solemnly affirm) is to the effect that Christ was not only the Son of David, to confirm the kingdom to Israel, or the Son of Abraham, to bring blessing to the faithful, but He is Adam's greater Son, a Man, and as such, is the Mediator for the whole human race. Nor is Israel's God limited to them: for there is only one God for all mankind. The Man Christ Jesus is giving Himself as a Ransom for all. Only a few, comparatively, are vitally affected by this fact at present, but, in due time, the offense of Adam will be much more than offset by the just award of the Man, Christ Jesus (Romans 5:18). Paul was assigned this testimony for the present era. No other apostle presents it, for it is foreign to their ministry. Christ gave His soul a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28), but gives Himself a ransom for all. Redemption is for the saints, during the eons. Ransom is for all when the eons end.

9 The dancing women of the East, who are, perhaps, the only class who appear in public, braid their hair with strands strung with gold and pearls, and their vesture is most elaborate, to attract the attention of the men, who form their audience. How much better, for those whose reputation is bound up with the glory of God, to be adorned with acts which reflect His love and grace!

14 The part played by Adam in the temptation receives much light from this passage. While Eve was utterly deluded, Adam was not, and probably partook so as to involve himself in the same plight as Eve. In this light, his defense, "the woman that thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat" (Genesis 3:12) has more of truth than is usually conceded. Perhaps it is especially in this sense-as deliberately involving himself in Eve's transgression-that we are to consider him as a type of Christ.