Tag: authority

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1 Timothy 2:12a – An Abstract View

Colorful abstract picture (Grok)

I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man…

Summary: Paul’s instruction here seems both pointed and insensitive. However, viewed through the larger lens of the whole of Scripture, the problem may be more with how Paul says what he says than why he says it.   

This is a difficult passage. 

To put this into context, Paul’s letter to Timothy is essentially a “How To” manual for managing a church. In the verses that follow, Paul outlines his reasoning for giving this instruction, making it difficult to tackle this passage without considering the larger context. 

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1 Timothy 2:11 – Did Paul Really Say That?

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 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 

Summary: In this passage, Paul challenges us to examine the authorities in our lives.   

I have not been looking forward to this at all. 

Over the course of my lifetime, over seventy years now, I have lived in a world that has sought to erase the differences between men and women. This passage is the opposite of what society says, and not just by a little. 

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1 Timothy 2:2b – The End Game

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… that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 

Summary: Paul’s words summarize the goal of Christianity: the absence of conflict, pain, and suffering.   

A chess game is, in a sense, a model of life in miniature. It begins with a field of play, the chessboard, and revolves around a struggle between two opposing forces. The game begins with an “opening,” and continues with most of the action happening in the “middle game.” Finally, after many battles and strategic moves, there are only a few pieces left. If one side can conquer the other side’s king, the struggle is over, and peace is achieved. This is called the “end game.” 

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1 Timothy 2:2a – Head and Neck

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[I urge … that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made]… for kings and all those in authority…

Summary: Is God really in charge? Paul’s admonition to pray for all those in authority is both a command and a test of our faith.   

At this point in our meditations on Chapter Two, we have looked at how we as Christians fight, who (or what) our enemy is, the three types of prayers (petitions, prayers, and intercessions), and the meaning of being thankful. Now, instead of generally praying for all people, we are focusing on “kings and all those in authority.” 

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1 Timothy 1:7 – Part III: Teachers of the Law

A college professor stands at the blackboard writing the word "LAW." (Grok)

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Summary: Teaching others is a wonderful calling and profession, if we are teaching God’s truth. For those who teach otherwise, there are consequences.     

Now that we have discussed what evil actually is and have a better understanding of what the law is, let’s look at what it means to be a “teacher of the law.” 

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Philippians 3:8b – All Things

Picture of a shipwreck (Grok) - Acts 27

… for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage…

Summary: Paul’s assessment of the things in his life gives us a reason to pause and consider what it is that we value, too.   

Sometimes people say things and they don’t really mean it. 

For example, if I said, “If I don’t get to go on vacation soon, I’m just going to die!,” you would understand that I am exaggerating. Some call it hyperbole. Everyone “get’s it.” 

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Philippians 3:1b – Authority and Clarity

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It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Summary: This passage leaves us with both questions and answers. If done cautiously, it can be constructive to consider why Paul wrote what he did.   

I notice that Paul says he is writing “again.” 

Do you ever wonder what happened to Paul’s first letter to the Philippians?* I suppose that it must have been lost or misplaced. Perhaps, at some point, people started realizing that Paul’s letters were valuable. 

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