Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 2

Verse 1

1. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1. Supplications - What are supplications? How much of our prayers are supplications?

2. Prayers - How does prayer differ from supplications and intercessions? Give a simple definition of prayer. What are some essential parts of prayer?

3. Intercessions - What are intercessions? List people for whom intercession should be made.

Verse 2

2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

1. Kings - Not too many nations have kings anymore? Who would be included in this term? Does this include: President, Governor, Mayor, Congressmen?

2. Authority - Does this word refer only to Biblical and church authority? Does this word apply to police, judges and government officials?

3. Quiet - How is the word quiet used here? What is a quiet life? What would cause our life not to be quiet?

4. Peaceable - Is peace an unreachable goal? How can we have peace? Discuss: Three types of peace mentioned in the Bible - [1] With God; [2] With fellow man; [3] With yourself.

5. Honesty - What is honesty? Why is this such a rare quality today? Are there situations where dishonesty is permitted?

Verse 3

3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

1. Acceptable - Who sets the standard of what is acceptable?

2. God - Who is God in this verse? Who is called "God" in the Bible?

Verse 4

4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1. Saved - Who will be saved? Did Jesus die just for the elect?

2. Knowledge - What is meant by this word? Does God require a college degree? Does this word refer to knowledge about art, science, math and history? Does this word refer to spiritual information as revealed in the Bible?

3. Truth - What is truth? How does the Bible use this word? List some terms that are interchangeable with truth.

Verse 5

5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1. God - See questions with verse 3.

2. Mediator - What does a mediator do? Who is our mediator? Why do we need a mediator? Does the Holy Spirit serve as a mediator? Is there a difference in "mediator" and "intercession"? (See Rom_8:26-27 )

Verse 6

6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

1. Ransom - Were we kidnapped? Why was a ransom needed?

2. Testified - How is this word used in religious groups today? How does current usage differ from the Biblical meaning?

Verse 7

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.

1. Ordained - How is this word used in the religious world today? What does this word mean? Are preachers, elders, deacons, ordained today?

2. Preacher - What other terms does the Bible use to describe this work? What are the qualifications for a preacher? Does the preacher have any authority or power in the church?

3. Apostle - What is an apostle? What are the qualifications for the office of an apostle? Are there apostles today?

4. Teacher - Who is to be a teacher in the church? Is this a special office or work in the church? What are the qualifications for this work?

5. Gentiles - Who are Gentiles? What does this word mean? Why are almost all people lumped together under this one word?

6. Verity - Does this word describe a quality of character? Should we be people of verity, sincerity, integrity?

Verse 8

8. I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting.

1. Men - Does this word refer to all mankind or to the male gender? Who are the "men" under consideration in this verse - all men, adult men, Christian men?

2. Everywhere - Does this word designate location or occasion? Are there places or situations were women may lead in prayer?

3. Lifting - Is this a required action of our worship? Why don't we lift up our hands as we praise God?

4. Wrath - How does wrath affect our worship? Does this verse teach that we should not pray when we are angry? What is a prayer of imprecation?

5. Doubting - How does doubt alter our prayers? Does our doubting change the answer to prayer?

Verse 9

9. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

1. Women - Does this verse apply to all women or only to Christians? How does this verse stand in contrast to the previous verse?

2. Adorn - What is included in adorning? Does this include make-up, jewelry, shoes, hairstyle, and general appearance?

3. Modest - What is modest? What is NOT modest? Do the definitions of modesty change with customs and styles?

4. Shamefacedness - What does this word mean? Have we lost our ability to blush? Does this word apply to conduct as well as dress?

5. Sobriety - Is sobriety the opposite of drunk? What qualities would show a person to be sober?

6. Costly array - Is the price we pay for our clothes a factor in their modesty? Why are gold and pearls mentioned in this verse?

Verse 10

10. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1. Professing - What does this word mean? Can we profess something that is not true? Is profession an oral statement we make? Can we profess with our actions, attitudes and conduct?

2. Godliness - How does one demonstrate godliness? Can this quality be faked? What is included in godliness? How doe we become godly?

3. Good works - List some good works. What makes a work good or bad? How can good works help a godly woman?

Verse 11

11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1. Learn - Does this verse refer to spiritual learning and worship? Does this verse apply in all situations of learning (school, on the job)?

2. Silence - Does this term prohibit a woman from singing, commenting in class, asking questions? Does this word mean "absolute silence"? How is this term different from the word in 1Co_14:34 ?

3. Subjection - What is included in subjection? To whom is the woman to be in subjection? Does this require strict obedience without voicing objection? Discuss - SUBJECTION TO: [1] God; [2] Christ; [3] Husband; [4] Elders; [5] Civil rulers; [6] One another.

Verse 12

12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1. Teach - Does this prohibit a woman from ALL teaching? What about the command in Tit_2:3-5 ? Is this public teaching (preaching), including classrooms or does it also include private teaching in the home? Can a Christian woman teach a non-Christian man the gospel?

2. Usurp - What if the men "grant" a woman permission to have authority over them? Does this verse allow the giving of authority to women? Can woman have ANY authority in church matters?

3. Over the man - Who is the man under consideration here? Does this apply to all men? Does this verse discuss Christian males?

SUMMARY - What is prohibited in this verse? What can a woman do in the church? Have we added some extra regulations?

"A CHRISTIAN WOMAN CAN DO EVERYTHING THAT A MAN CAN DO EXCEPT TEACH OVER THE MAN AND HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE MAN." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

Verse 13

13. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

1. First - What is purpose of this verse? In what sense is Adam first?

Verse 14

14. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

1. Deceived - What is the importance of who was deceived and who was not? Is Paul pointing out a weakness in women?

2. Transgression - Whose sin was greater, Adam or Eve? What is transgression? Is all sin a transgression of the law?

Verse 15

15. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1. Saved - Does this verse discuss eternal salvation? What if a woman is childless? Does this prevent her from being saved? How does childbearing save?

2. Charity - What is the more common word used in the Bible?

3. Holiness - How can we be holy? Does holiness require perfection? Define - Holiness.