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2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 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.
2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
2:4 Who will have all men to be
saved, and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth.
2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus; 2:6 Who gave himself a
ransom for all, to be
testified in due time.
2:7 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.
2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting.
2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or
gold, or pearls, or costly array; 2:10 But (which becometh women
professing godliness) with good works.
2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all
subjection.
2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over
the man, but to be in
silence.
2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in
the transgression.
2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they
continue in faith and charity and
holiness with sobriety.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
1 Timothy
Book: 1 Timothy
Chapter: 2
Overview:
Prayer to be made for all persons, since the
Grace of the
Gospel makes
No difference of ranks or stations.
(1-7) How men
and women ought to behave, both in their religious and common
Life.
(8-15)
1-7 The disciples of
Christ must be praying people; all,
without distinction of nation,
Sect, rank, or party. Our duty as
Christians, is summed up in two words;
Godliness, that is, the
right worshipping of
God; and honesty, that is, good conduct
toward all men. These must go together: we are not truly honest,
if we are not godly, and do not render to
God his due; and we
are not truly godly, if not honest. What is acceptable in the
sight of
God our
Saviour, we should abound in. There is one
Mediator, and that
Mediator gave himself a
Ransom for all. And
this appointment has been made for the benefit of the Jews and
the
Gentiles of every nation; that all who are willing may come
in this way, to the
Mercy-seat of a pardoning
God, to seek
reconciliation with him.
Sin had made a quarrel between us and
God;
Jesus Christ is the
Mediator who makes peace. He is a
Ransom that was to be known in due time. In the Old
Testament
times, his sufferings, and the
Glory that should follow, were
spoken of as things to be revealed in the last times. Those who
are saved must come to the knowledge of the
Truth, for that is
God's appointed way to save sinners: if we do not know the
Truth, we cannot be ruled
By it.
8-15 Under the
Gospel,
Prayer is not to be confined to any one
particular
House of
Prayer, but men must pray every where. We
must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our
Meals, pray when we are
On journeys, and pray in the solemn
assemblies, whether more public or private. We must pray in
Charity; without wrath, or malice, or
Anger at any person. We
must pray in
Faith, without doubting, and without disputing.
Women who profess the
Christian religion, must be modest in
Apparel, not affecting gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness. Good
Works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight of
God, of
great price. Modesty and neatness are more to be consulted in
garments than elegance and fashion. And it would be
Well if the
professors of serious
Godliness were wholly free from vanity in
Dress. They should spend more time and
Money in relieving the
sick and distressed, than in decorating themselves and their
children. To do this in a manner unsuitable to their rank in
Life, and their profession of
Godliness, is sinful. These are
not trifles, but Divine commands. The best ornaments for
professors of
Godliness, are good
Works. According to St.
Paul,
women are not allowed to be public teachers in the
Church; for
teaching is an office of authority. But good women may and ought
to teach their children at home the principles of true religion.
Also, women must not think themselves excused from learning what
is necessary to
Salvation, though they must not usurp authority.
As
Woman was last in the
Creation, which is one reason for her
subjection,
So she was first in the transgression. But there is
a
Word of comfort; that those who continue in sobriety, shall be
saved in
Child-bearing, or with
Child-bearing,
By the
Messiah,
who was born of a
Woman. And the especial sorrow to which the
female sex is subject, should cause men to
Exercise their
authority with much gentleness, tenderness, and
Affection.