1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:1

As some judaizing Christians, through prejudice against the Gentiles, reject the authority of Heathen magistrates, I therefore, as the apostle of the Gentiles, insist on it, as a matter of high importance, that Christians, in all their prayers, public, private, or secret, deprecate evils inflicted or feared; plead for every necessary mercy; and give thanks for favours received or promised;—through Christ; with respect to all sorts or ranks of men, Jews or Gentiles, high or low

1 Timothy 2:2

Particularly for emperors, kings, or other magistrates, though Heathens; that their persons and ministrations may be blessed, and that they may be enabled to rule in the fear of God; that, under their protection, and encouraged by their example and influence, we may safely and peaceably exercise ourselves in public, private, and secret, acts of piety towards God, and of honourable honesty and virtue towards every man

1 Timothy 2:3

For thus to pray, and live in a manner becoming Christians, is agreeable to the good and holy nature and will of God; and through Christ, well pleasing in his sight, who has manifested himself to us sinful men under the endearing character of a Saviour: 4. Who, for the more illustrious display of the freeness, sovereignty, variety, and abundant riches, of his grace under the gospel dispensation, intends effectually to save men of all sorts and ranks, greater or lesser sinners; and has for this purpose appointed that the gospel of salvation be preached 142 159* to every creature under heaven

1 Timothy 2:5

And it is the more proper that prayers and thanksgivings be made for all sorts of men through Christ, in whom all nations shall be blessed, since God now manifests himself equally the one only God of both Jews and Gentiles, and Jesus Christ, God-man, is set forth as the only Mediator, able, willing, and appointed, to make up the breach between God and sinful men;—6. Who, having an infinite dignity in his person, and being Lord of his own life, offered up himself, soul and body, an atoning sacrifice and price of redemption to the offended justice of God, in the room of men of all sorts and ranks, to deliver them from the bondage of sin, Satan, the law, and death; that their salvation might be published to them, especially under the gospel: 7. For the publishing of which, I solemnly avow myself a faithful and sincere teacher, chiefly of the Gentiles, manifesting to them the infallible truths and faithful promises of God for their salvation

1 Timothy 2:8

And, therefore, in the name of my glorious Master, the Saviour of mankind, I insist that ministers and Christians, without regard to any ceremonial sanctity of places, pray for all sorts of persons, as above directed, with fervour, purity, and elevation of heart to God, without any wrathfulness of temper against either Jews or Gentiles, and without doubting of, or disputing against, his fulfilment of his promises to all them that believe

1 Timothy 2:9

I moreover insist upon it that women at all times, and especially in your religious assemblies, appear in a garb suitable to the modesty of their sex, and with an air of reverence to God and sacred things; and not after the manner of lewd women, with curiously plaited hair, or in showy deckings of embroidered, rich, or gaudy, apparel, which mark the vanity and pride of their own heart, and tempt the beholders to frothiness or unchastity. But let them, as women who profess godliness and a superlative regard to the things of another world, labour to adorn themselves with such graces, tempers, and practices, as fulfil God’s law, honour his name, and prove useful to others. 11, 12. And let no woman dare to preach in public assemblies, or in any case usurp authority over her husband or his sex, but learn, according to the dictates of nature and the law of God, to be duly submissive and obedient: 13. For the woman being at first formed after and out of the man, plainly intimated that she was made for him, not he for her; and that she ought to depend on and be subject to him, not he to her

1 Timothy 2:14

And her being first seduced by the devil, that old serpent, in paradise, and made the primary instrument in the ruin of mankind, is a further reason for her humility and subjection

1 Timothy 2:15

Nevertheless, notwithstanding the particular threatenings issued forth against them immediately after the fall, women are generally preserved in the agonies of childbirth; and shall be saved as well as the man, yet generally in the endurance of this superior effect of the curse; yea, through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the promised seed, all of them shall be saved with an everlasting salvation who exercise themselves in true faith in God through Christ, and in love to him, his people and cause, and in a holy, chaste, sober, meek, and temperate, behaviour

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. II.—Nothing can more testify our love to men than much fervent prayer for them. And none ought to have a more certain share in our prayers than the rulers in church and state. It is greatly advantageous for the success and honour of the gospel when magistrates rule well, and are a terror to evil-doers, and a praise of them that do well. The extent of God’s grace, and of Christ’s mediation, to all sorts and ranks of men, should excite us cheerfully and powerfully to pray for them. And infinite is the mercy that in God’s grace and Jesus’ merit there is room for us all. The gospel and ordinances of God are now confined to no place in the world; but faithful ministers may preach it to every creature; and men may every where have full access to God in his worship. But let us always remember the holiness and reverence with which we ought to approach him.—Since sin entered by a woman, what reason have women to be remarkably holy and humble, and to avoid all ostentation of dress, which is but a badge and memorial of sin! And there is need of faith and love, and an holy conversation, in order to their safe and sanctified endurance in childbirth. 11 G