prayer for all people

Paul sent Timothy to the church in Ephesus to clear up some problems in the transmission of the faith. He also sent him a letter outlining his mission. This letter was to be read in front of the whole congregation so that each of its members would be aware of Timothy's authority to act on the apostle's behalf.

Paul pointed out, among other things, what is to be heeded in the church service: "So I admonish that one should above all do requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people" (1. Timothy 2,1). They should also include prayers of a positive character, in contrast to the scornful messages that had become part of the liturgy in some synagogues.

The intercession should not concern only the members of the church, but rather the prayers should apply to all: "Pray for the rulers and for all those in authority, that we may live in quietness and peace, in the fear of God and in righteousness" (1. Timothy 2,2 Good News Bible). Paul did not want the church to be elitist or to be associated with an underground resistance movement. As an example, Judaism's dealings with the Roman Empire may be referred to. The Jews did not want to worship the emperor, but they could pray for the emperor; they worshiped God and offered him sacrifices: "The priests shall offer incense to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons" (Ezra 6,10 Hope for all).

The early Christians were persecuted for the sake of the gospel and their allegiance to another master. So they didn't have to provoke the state leadership with anti-government agitation. This attitude is approved by God Himself: "This is good, and pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour" (1. Timothy 2,3). The term "Saviour" usually refers to Jesus, so in this case it seems to refer to the Father.

Paul inserts an important digression regarding God's will: "Who desires that all men should be saved" (1. Timothy 2,4). In our prayers we should remember the difficult ministers; for God himself wishes them nothing bad. He wants them to be saved, but that requires first accepting the message of the gospel: "That they may come to the knowledge of the truth" (1. Timothy 2,4).

Does everything always happen according to God's will? Will everyone really be saved? Paul does not address this question, but obviously our Heavenly Father's desires do not always materialize, at least not immediately. Even today, almost 2000 years later, by no means "all men" have come to the knowledge of the gospel, far fewer have accepted it for themselves and experienced salvation. God wants his children to love one another, but that is not the case everywhere. Because he also wants people to have their own will. Paul supports his statements by supporting them with reasons: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1. Timothy 2,5).

There is only one God who created everything and everyone. His plan applies equally to all human beings: We were all created in his image, that we might bear witness to God on earth: “God created man in his image, yea, in the image of God; and he created them male and female" (1. Genesis 1:27). The identity of God indicates that according to his plan all his creation is one. All people are included.

In addition, there is a mediator. We are all related to God through the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ. The Godman Jesus can still be referred to as such, since he did not commit his human nature to the grave. Rather, he rose again as a glorified man and as such ascended into heaven; for the glorified humanity is part of itself. Since humanity was created in God's image, essential aspects of human nature were present to the Almighty from the beginning; and so it is not surprising that man's nature should be expressed in the divine nature of Jesus.

As our mediator, Jesus is the one "who gave himself a ransom for all, his testimony in due season" (1. Timothy 2,6). Some theologians object to the simple meaning behind this verse, but it fits well with verse 7 and the content of what Paul reads a little later: "We work hard and suffer much because our hope is living god. He is the Redeemer of all people, especially believers» (1. Timothy 4,10 Hope for all). He died for the sins of all people, even those who don't know it yet. He died only once and did not wait for our faith to act for our salvation. To put it in terms of a financial analogy, he paid the debt himself for the people who didn't realize it.

Now that Jesus has done this for us, what remains to be done? Now is the time for people to recognize what Jesus has accomplished for them, and that is what Paul is trying to achieve with his words. «For this I am appointed as a preacher and apostle - I tell the truth and do not lie, as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and in the truth» (1. Timothy 2,7). Paul wanted Timothy to be a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

by Michael Morrison