NOTES for Ti1 2:1-7

Paul speaks of the need to pray for those representatives of authority under whose rule those seeking the Kingdom could live, in the apostle's own expression, "quietly and peaceably," in order to devote themselves to the main thing that makes up the goal and meaning of their life (vv. 1-7). Apparently this call was connected with the moods of political messianism that were fairly widespread in the circles around the Synagogue, at the center of which stood the ideas of holy war and of establishing the messianic Kingdom by force. Of course, the Kingdom itself was also understood within the framework of such views as a reality not so much spiritual as political. Paul, it is clear, speaks decisively against this political messianism.

At first glance it may appear that Paul's call presupposes complete political indifference and unconcern toward everything connected with public life. But on closer examination this turns out not to be entirely so: Paul calls for prayer for those in power so that the Church, leaving politics aside, may peacefully do its main work: witness to Christ and to the Kingdom so that the Kingdom may spread ever more broadly in the world, transforming it. A power that consciously opposes the Church quite obviously does not fit such a definition.

But the main point is elsewhere: in speaking of abstaining from participation in political life, the apostle wanted above all to remind both Timothy himself and the Ephesian church that the Kingdom, in the Savior's words, is "not of this world," so it is in no way determined by a concrete political situation and does not depend on it. There is no sociopolitical order about which the Church could say, "This is our government"; there is only one about which it could say, "This government does not hinder us." And Paul does not tire of reminding them of the otherworldliness of the Kingdom, so that none of the Christians will be tempted to mistake for it some new religious utopia like the one that seduced many of his fellow believers and kinsmen, leading in A.D. 70 to catastrophe for both Judea and the whole Jewish people.