1 Timothy 2:1-4 - Pray for everyone

2:1,2

We now get into various instructions about worship. First, Paul urges Timothy to ensure that all kinds of prayers are offered for all kinds of peoples. The church is not to be an exclusive sect that is inward looking and looks down on all those outside. Sadly, we are all to prone to fail in this area. We are to pray for all the world, and all sectors of society. Paul then highlights praying for our rulers. It is so easy to dismiss our rulers, just to consider them as self-serving fools. Sometimes this is an apt enough description, but they are also doing a very difficult job, and they need our prayers.  Paul mentions the purpose of enabling us to live peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness. It is far better for us that our society is governed well than it be governed badly. Bad government results in people suffering.

2:3,4

It is pleasing to God that society is governed well. at the time of writing the book “The Benedict Option” is receiving a lot of attention, a book that seems to advocate more or less giving up on society. We can certainly become too involved in politics, but the running of society matters to God, so we should pray for our rulers. The phrase “God our saviour” is rather unusual, “Christ our Saviour” being more common. God wants all people to be saved. This causes much dispute between Calvinists and Arminians. It seems quite clear that God wants us to want all people to get saved as well.  These verses imply that this is more likely to happen in a well-run society than in a corrupt or chaotic society.