Many of us may be surprised by the apostle Paul's request to pray "for kings and for all who are in authority"...
Many of us may be surprised by the apostle Paul's request to pray "for kings and for all who are in authority" (1 Tim 2:1). We are even less surprised by the request for thanksgivings "for all people." It is easier to pray for humanity as a whole, but for the government...
Some people say that "they" are hypocrites, others that they are unbelievers, but most forget that first of all they are people. And we Christians, members of the Body of Christ, are called to be His presence in this world. We are not of the world, but "kings and those in authority" have been given authority in this world, and we are called to pray for them so that, even in the smallest measure, and even through earthly authority, the will of the King of Heaven may be done on earth.
This is possible, for there have been holy emperors, kings, and princes in history, from the most ancient times to our own day. It may seem to us that our prayer means nothing: to pray for someone's healing, for peace in a friend's family, that is still acceptable; but to pray for those who hold power, for peace on earth, that is too much. But it is not so. For example, in our own day, through the prayers and efforts of Christians, two African tribes were reconciled. And do we know what else happens, or does not happen, in this world through the prayers of our more responsible brothers and sisters in Christ? We so rarely realize the measure of our responsibility, yet we truly are members of one Body of the Church, and our prayer and our righteousness or sinfulness are not "our problems," as people now like to say, but pain or joy for the whole Church, for the Body of Christ.
Of course, each person answers for himself before God, but there are baptized people who were not raised in the faith or later lost it. And still a baptized unbeliever differs from an unbaptized person, because the whole Church prays for him at the Eucharist. That is the measure of our responsibility. We answer for these people, for those who have been joined to the Church by the sacrament of baptism but do not pray themselves. That is why it is so important to ask, pray, and give thanks for all people, "lifting up holy hands without anger or doubting."
2
2:1 I exhort therefore - Seeing God is so gracious.In this chapter he gives directions,
- With regard to public prayers
- With regard to doctrine.
Supplication is here the imploring help in time of need: prayer is any kind of offering up our desires to God. But true prayer is the vehemency of holy zeal, the ardour of divine love, arising from a calm, undisturbed soul, moved upon by the Spirit of God. Intercession is prayer for others.We may likewise give thanks for all men, in the full sense of the word, for that God "willeth all men to be saved," and Christ is the Mediator of all.2:2 For all that are in authority - Seeing even the lowest country magistrates frequently do much good or much harm. God supports the power of magistracy for the sake of his own people, when, in the present state of men, it could not otherwise be kept up in any nation whatever. Godliness - Inward religion; the true worship of God. Honesty - A comprehensive word taking in the whole duty we owe to our neighbour.
2:3 For this - That we pray for all men. Do you ask, "Why are not more converted?" We do not pray enough. Is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour - Who has actually saved us that believe, and willeth all men to be saved. It is strange that any whom he has actually saved should doubt the universality of his grace!
2:4 Who willeth seriously all men - Not a part only, much less the smallest part. To be saved - Eternally. This is treated of, Ti1 2:5-6.And, in order thereto, to come - They are not compelled.To the knowledge of the truth - Which brings salvation.This is treated of, Ti1 2:6-7.
2:5 For - The fourth verse is proved by the fifth; the first, by the fourth. There is one God - And they who have not him, through the one Mediator, have no God. One mediator also - We could not rejoice that there is a God, were there not a mediator also; one who stands between God and men, to reconcile man to God, and to transact the whole affair of our salvation.This excludes all other mediators, as saints and angels, whom the Papists set up and idolatrously worship as such: just as the heathens of old set up many mediators, to pacify their superior gods. The man - Therefore all men are to apply to this mediator, "who gave himself for all."
2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all - Such a ransom, the word signifies, wherein a like or equal is given; as an eye for an eye, or life for life: and this ransom, from the dignity of the person redeeming, was more than equivalent to all mankind.To be testified of in due season - Literally, in his own seasons; those chosen by his own wisdom.