(2b) that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Paul is giving Timothy, a pastor, instructions on how to apply the Gospel (Christ saves sinners) to the life of the Chuch. He’s just said that we should pray for those who persecute us. Here he tells us why –
We pray for even people in authority so we can lead a life free of conflict with authorities. Hence, peaceful and quiet. We’re not making headlines because of conflict.
Interesting how often Christians make headlines in conflict here even though we’re not really persecuted.
Rather, we’re to pray for our authorities so we can lead godly and dignified lives. Or godly and serious lives. The end of our praying for our authorities is this: giving us the energy to focus on godliness. Being serious about Christ. Giving every aspect of our lives over to his lordship and control.
So if we have peaceful, quiet lives – that is to say, free of persecution – our goals should be universally for godliness without distraction. Our prayers should be directed that way.
(3-4) This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
What’s good? Our prayers for those who hate us. Here’s the situation Paul’s talking about: we get hurt by people in authority, we thankfully pray for God to bless them in every way possible with an eye towards greater holiness, God is pleased. God rejoices because we are acting like him – loving our enemies, just as he loved us.
That’s why Paul gives this description of God in verse 4 – who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
God loves people – not based on their sin or holiness – but because he is God, and he’s a God who loves those who hate him. And we are the direct beneficiaries of that fact.
Note the language here – God desires salvation and knowledge. That is, rescue from punishment and an enjoyment of God’s word about Christ and in the future, God’s physical presence in Christ.
One theological point is sticky here – does God want every individual on earth to be saved? And if so, does this verse teach that?
Second question first. Remember, ‘all’ in Greek does not mean ‘all’ in English. It clearly doesn’t mean all universally in verses 1 or 2 or 6. Does Christ mediate for all (verse 5)? No. He mediates for his people alone – but his people are his people based on his work for them, not their works and not their past.
Paul was a persecutor and a blasphemer. We were all sinners. Christ saves sinners. So we are to pray for even those who persecute us because God saves sinners regardless of their positions and their pasts. We are to pray for all without exclusion based on our conceptions of people – but not all without exception.
In the same manner, God loves all types of people – not excluding any on the basis of their positions or pasts.
To the first question – does God desire every individual on earth to be saved? The best way to answer that is a qualified ‘yes’ – in that he has commanded the Gospel to be proclaimed to every creature without exclusion. However, he clearly has not and will not cause the salvation of all people, but just of some. However, the ‘some’ is not known to us who live now – and so we are to proclaim Christ to everyone.
In short, the best way to understand this verse is to see this fact about God’s character: God loves people who hate him. So we’re to pray for people regardless of how they treat us – showing forth God’s love and mercy – acting like the children of God he has made us to be.
Summary:
1) We’re to pray for persecutors so we can spend our energy in greater godliness
2) We’re to pray for persecutors because it pleases God
3) We’re to pray for persecutors because God’s character is one of love towards sinners
Prayer:
Father, thank you that you have, in Christ, rescued us from the penalty we deserve! I admit that I haven’t prayed enough, in public or private, and haven’t prayed for those who hurt me like I should. God, cause me to love like you love. Cause me to act like your child and be merciful. Cause me to desire what you desire – the salvation of sinners – even when I’m hurting. Cause me to pray to please you, because you’re worth it.
Because Jesus died for me, I can ask you for these things – amen.
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