“For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.  And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression” (1 Timothy 2:13-14).

Perhaps the most direct way to deal with these words is to question how much our culture hates them.  This is not to reintroduce the gross inequities sinners have created because of them, but to look with sadness at how the simple truth of the difference that God created in the sexes are ignored.  We are God’s creation and He has made us as He has made us.  We are whom we are.

Lord, help me to see where I listen to the world and where I ignore what Your Word says.  Help me to always look at every other person as one created in Your image.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You and You alone is all hope.  Keep my eyes upon You and my ears listening to what You say.  Guide me, O Lord, always in the way of truth so that I may abide in You and You in me.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way into all truth.  You have reasons as to why these things are the way they are.  Help me to look to You and not to the world to guide me in the way of truth.  In and through all things, lead me always Lord in the way of everlasting life.  May I be close to You now and forever and live according to Your Word not only outwardly, but inwardly as well.  Amen.

“But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet” (1 Timothy 2:12).

If this is from the Lord, then it does not matter whether or not you like it, or agree with it.  If it is from Paul, then you and I may disagree and change how we do things.  The pivotal thing is whether or not it is from God.  Re-read Job, especially chapter thirty-eight and following.  We are not in a position to disagree with the Lord.  What is the way you will go on this?

Lord, there are so many things like this that go against what society is saying, Help me to be discerning so that I may know the difference between what a fellow sojourner believes and what You declare.  Bring me to err on the side of caution in order that I may learn to do whatever is needed whether or not I like it.  In all things, teach me to look to You, the One who created all things.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us by example to look to the Father for all things.  You have taught us that even when it is something difficult, like when You asked if the cup could pass from you, You simply relinquished Your will for the Father’s will.  Help me to learn from these things so that in all things I would look to You and follow where You lead.  Guide me, Lord, now and forever.  Amen.

“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness” (1 Timothy 2:11).

Is Paul speaking of a specific situation, or in general?  The church has taken this line and held fast to this rule.  What is important is for you and me, who are not in a position to argue the case, to look and see why the Lord would have a certain thing in this place.  Especially in these days where people are ‘choosing’ their identity, is there something here that is useful for us to understand about God’s creation?

Lord, You have made things as they are.  You set everything in its place and have created the order of things.  It’s a funny thing, but people like to think they are the exception and do not need to follow the rules.  Help me to see through this common response to the constraints on life so that I may be one who lives by wisdom and not according to the rebellious way of the world.

Lord Jesus, You have come to free us from the insanity of this world.  Generation after generation thinks they can do things their own way.  It always ends in ruin.  Help me to follow You wherever You lead so that I may be guided by the order that You have created and follow as you meant for these things to be followed from the beginning.  Lead me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go, accepting what is right whether I like it or not.  Amen.

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

Men are men and women are women.  That does not change because we each are what God created us to be.  Listen to the admonition for temperance and prudence.  Women know what entices men.  Do not dress to entice.  Men, train your eyes to have them where they belong.  If you have means, do not boast.  In all things do not point to yourself, but to the One who has redeemed you.

Lord, there are lines of common sense and dignity that the culture in which I lives constantly crosses.  Teach me chastity and modesty that I would neither offend others, nor entice them to break any of the commandments.  Teach me to care for the other as You have cared for me.  Guide me into the deeper understanding of living out the faith that I may become more like You.

Lord Jesus, You created each of us to be whom we are.  Teach me Lord to see through the nonsense of this world and its constant use of sensuality.  Let me not fall for this ancient ploy of the wicked one, but see through it and not go astray.  Guide me Lord in the way of holiness so that I may journey upon the road less traveled.  In all things, guide me to trust in You and the grace You give which is more than sufficient.  Amen.

“Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension” (1 Timothy 2:8).

The first thing the wicked one wants to do is bring in dissension.  First, do not be the one through whom it comes.  Second, if you are in a position to do so, stand your ground against such things.  Be one who lifts up your hands in prayer and seeks what the will of the Lord is.  Be one who walks with the Lord and seeks for others to do the same.  Be sensible, stable, and serve as the Lord commands.

Lord, these are easy words to hear, but difficult words to live.  In Your Spirit, teach me how to do these things so that with maturity I may be a part of Your fellowship.  Guide me in Your goodness to do all the things You would have me do knowing that You have given me the Word of life.  Teach me how to live peacefully with others and do those things which are pleasing to the Father.

Lord Jesus, You told us that You did only what the Father told You to do.  Teach me how to live this way.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the nonsense of this world and even those who practice it unaware.  Guide me to live consistently and faithfully.  Teach me so that I may become like You in all things and do what the Father commands me to do and not do.  Teach me how to be faithful.  Amen.   

“For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (1 Timothy 2:7).

I am telling you the truth, I am not lying, Jesus is the Lord and Savior of us all.  Without Him, there is no hope.  With Him there is great hope.  He alone is the way, truth, and life.  But the world does not believe this and so it calls out to all who say this a lie.  But that too is a witness.  Why is there such hatred of Jesus unless He is who he says He is?  Listen to your pastor and believe his report.

Lord, open my ears to hear the truth.  Open my heart to reject what is false and would deceive me.  In all things, grow in me the ability to discern between the real lies of the wicked one (and those who repeat them) and the truth that You speak.  Only in You is there hope and a future.  Apart from You, I can do nothing.  Guide me, Lord, to hold fast to the truth You have revealed once for all.

Lord Jesus, You came in a specific way with a mission and You have accomplished for us our salvation.  I am still here, so the journey is not yet complete.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Guard my heart from the wiles of the wicked one and teach me all that I need to know.  Lead me to listen and learn.  Show me the way of wisdom and hold me forever close to You.  Amen.

“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

There is One mediator between us and God. Throughout the Old Testament it said over and over again, “God is your Savior.”  It is God who alone is able to do what needs to be done.  Only with God are all things possible.  He has done it through Jesus who is the Christ and God in the flesh.  He did this by being a ransom for all.  Come then into the salvation which God has prepared.

Lord, You know what is needed and what You have accomplished for our salvation.  Lead me in the way of the salvation that You have prepared.  Guide me according to Your goodness to walk in Your way so that I might not do things my way, but Yours.  All that You see that is needed, thank you for providing.  At the proper time, dispense all that is needed so that I may continue to faithfully walk with You.

Thank You Lord Jesus for being the ransom and propitiation for our sins.  You died once for all so that we might have the power to become like You, children of God.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth and keep me steadfast in this life of faith that You have given me.  Through it all, Lord, help me to hold fast and not waver in my faith and, my practice of it.  Help me to always remain faithful.  Amen.

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

This is good.  Loving those in authority is what he is talking about.  Why?  Because God desires that no one be condemned.  He loves all whom He has made.  There are those who will reject Him, but He loves them none-the-less.  We who are called to become children of God are also to love as we are loved and, even more, to love those who hate and revile.  It does not matter; we are to love in spite of and not because of another’s actions.

Lord, You first loved me and have called me to live into the love relationship You gave through grace.  Keep me on this path so that I would continue to grow into the life for which I was created.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth and lead me in Your will to do all that is right and fitting.  Grant that I would always share the Good News, for I do not know who will hear and believe.

Lord Jesus, You reached me through the words and deeds of so many others.  Help me, Lord, to reach others by being consistent in word and deed.  Or should I say, reach others through me.  It does not matter; only that Your will be done in and through me.  Lead me always in the way You know I need to go and help me always to humbly abide with You as You lead me in the way of truth.  Amen.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

No matter who is serving where, we are to pray for those who rule or are in authority.  Remember, the Lord tells us that we are to love our neighbor.  That includes all in positions of authority.  The world hates, but those who follow Christ love.  Therefore, learn to pray for all.  When hate is removed from you, there is peace.  When you see in the other an individual for whom the Lord died, it changes everything.

Lord, the world is filled with hatred and everyone seeks whom they support and whom they hate.  Help me to live as Your follower and learn how to truly love all.  You died once for all.  The “for all” means everyone who has been created in Your image.  Lead me into the deeper and more peace-filled life so that I would grow in Your likeness and do what is right and good in the Father’s sight.

Lord Jesus, You know the difference between my intent and the reality of how I live.  Guide me, Lord, to live according to Your Word in order that I would now and always abide humbly in You and Your Word.  Lead me according to Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope and an eternal future.  Lead me into that future loving my neighbor, praying for those in authority and listening to You.  Amen.  

“Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme” (1 Timothy 1:20).

The church seldom does it these days because it is not nice.  But we are not called to be nice.  Letting a trouble-maker — those who seek trouble, seek for themselves, wanting what is right in their mind — go may be unpleasant, but we are to seek what is right in the Lord’s eyes.  All we do should be for the sake of the salvation of our neighbor.  So, Paul instructs Timothy that he is to let go of those who blaspheme the Lord.  This is a critical matter that the church often ignores.

Lord, You have said I am blessed when I am kind, but help me to never confuse that with being nice.  Who needs nice?  Help me to be genuine in caring, considerate of other’s situations, and willing to do what You ask me to do for the sake of my neighbor.  Lead me, Lord, to have genuine and real righteousness that comes only from You.  Let me not learn the hard way but learn by following You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save us and will let nothing stop us in the way of our salvation.  Lead me Lord in the way You know I need to go.  Guide me according to Your goodness so that I would now and always humbly abide in You and You in me.  Teach me righteousness and keep me from blaspheming.  In You alone is there hope and my hope is that You will perfect me in faith.  Amen.