As Paul gives instructions to Timothy concerning the church he begins to focus on the conduct of the church. Earlier Paul dealt with the issue of false teachers and idle talkers, now he dives deeper into the specifics of our conduct and purpose. When a church operates and lives in obedience to God’s Word great blessings are in store. However, when the church ignores God’s Word and does not follow God’s design for the church then the blessings of God cannot be expected. “Paul urges the church to pray for all people (2:1–8) and urges women to conduct themselves in accordance with their profession of godliness (vv. 9–15). His focus shifts from false teachers (which he returns to in 4:1–5; 6:3–5, 20, 21) to the church and its duties, “how one ought to conduct oneself in God’s household”^[1]

                As we examine this passage, we find three major keys to a blessed church. If we desire to see our church experience the blessings of the Lord, we must adhere to these basic keys to a blessed church.

                Make prayer a priority. In verses 1-3 we see an emphasis placed on prayer which is pleasing to God. For the church to be blessed it must make prayer a priority. As we pray, we are admonished to pray for three categories of people. (1) Pray for the lost. “It was essential for the Christians at Ephesus to come to the realization that God’s desire is to save people.”^[2] It is the will of God that all people are saved. The Holy Spirit in partnership with the church works to draw all people to Christ. Therefore, we must pray that as we preach the Gospel, the Holy Spirit will soften hearts and open minds to be receptive to the Gospel. We should pray for the lost by name. We cannot expect lost people to be saved if we do not pray for their salvation. (2) Pray for one another. As we pray it is important that we also intercede for one another. Have you ever had a time in your life when you did not know what to do and you would not have survived if it were not for the prayers of others? We cannot live the Christian life in our own power. We need each other and we need the prayers of one another. (3) Pray for those in authority. Paul reminds us that we are to pray for those in authority over us. We live in a day when people are very anti-authority. However, the Bible is clear that God places people in authority and we are to honor them, respect them, obey them, follow them, and pray for them. There are two reasons Paul gives as to why we should pray for those in authority. One reason is so that we may live a peaceable life. When we buck heads with those in authority rather than humbly submitting, we open ourselves up to a lot of strife. If those in authority are not doing something that is contrary to God’s Word, then we should follow their leading. When we do it brings peace. Another reason to pray for authority is so that we will be acceptable to God. Praying for our leaders is good and acceptable to God. God’s hand of favor will not be on you when you refuse to honor, respect, obey, follow, and pray for those in authority. If the church is going to prosper, if God’s hand of blessing is to be upon us, prayer must be a priority in all that we do.

                Make Jesus the center. Jesus is the head of the church. Therefore, He must be at the center of that we are and do. A church that is blessed is one that makes much of Jesus. In verse 4 we see that it is God’s will that everyone is saved. God desires that all people are saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. God wants everyone to know Him and to follow Him. This is why evangelism and discipleship go hand in hand. We must faithfully preach the Gospel so the lost may be saved and we must faithfully disciple others so they may grow in their faith and learn to follow the Lord. In verse 5-6 we see that there is only one Savior. Jesus is the Savior. He is the only way of salvation. He is our only hope. In verse 7 we see our one responsibility. It is the responsibility of the church to bring the Gospel message to the world. Every opportunity we have to advance the Kingdom of God and expand the mission of the church and see people saved; we must seize the moment. When we stand in the way of opportunities for more people to be saved, we are on dangerous ground. Too often we miss opportunities for the advancement of the Gospel. We allow self to get in the way. When we do, we are hindering others from coming to know Jesus. The church has one responsibility and that is to preach the Gospel and advance His Kingdom through every means given to us. In order for the church to be blessed, Jesus must be the center because God wants everyone to be saved, there is only one Savior, and because we have one responsibility.

                Make God’s way the only way. As Paul continues to give us keys to a blessed church, he deals with God’s way for the church. God designed the church to operate in a way that brings Him glory and provides the best way for the Gospel to prevail. Paul addresses issues that many struggle with today. However, God’s Word is the same for us today as it was in Paul’s day. God’s design for the church in Paul’s day is the same design for the church today. Therefore, if we expect God’s blessings on the church, we must do things God’s way. (1) Men should pray and lead. Paul here is addressing public worship. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, in the public assembly Paul specified that men (andras, lit., “males”) everywhere are to lead the congregation in prayer. Moreover, these prayers were to be offered with lifted hands.”^[3] The word for ‘men’ here is not a reference to mankind in general. It is the word for ‘male.’ Paul is teaching that men are to be the ones to lead the church in worship and in prayer. Paul is addressing the public assembly. He is stating that men should take the lead in the church. (2) Women should behave. Paul gives a lengthier address to the women of the church. There are four basic things he encourages the women to do when it comes to the public gathering of the church. First, he tells them to be modest. Women are to dress and adorn themselves in way that brings glory to God and not attention to themselves. They are to be modest in both their appearance and their behavior. They are not to act or dress in a manner that puts attention upon themselves. The women are also encouraged to have good behavior. Their modesty is to be one that professes godliness. Their behavior is to be godly, upright, and of such that brings glory to God. The women should also engage in good works. The women of the church are to focus on the good and godly works that are becoming of them rather than behaving in a way that creates a hinderance to work of the church. This is why Paul also says that the women should live in submission. This is a very hard thing for some today, however, it must be dealt with because it is God’s way. Paul is very clear in verse 11-12 that the women of the church are not to have authority over the men. He even says that women should learn in silence. In 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 it speaks to the fact that if the women have a question, they are to ask their husbands at home. This primarily has to do with church business. For example, if there is something in the church of which a woman does not agree or has a question about, she must go to her husband. It is not the role of the women of the church to question the authority of the church. If their husband deem their complaint warranted, it is the husband’s responsibility to take the issue to the church authorities (pastor/elders and deacons). This is heavy stuff and goes against everything we see in our culture today. However, God’s way is the best way. If we expect God to pour out a blessing upon the church, we must do things God’s way. Churches fail to be the church that God desires it to be, thus becomes ineffective in its ministry when they deviate from God’s way.

                I have seen it repeatedly where people wonder why the church does not grow and why God doesn’t seem to do great things in and through the church. God wants to bless the church. However, His blessings are hindered when fail to do things God’s way. If we want a blessed church we must make prayer a priority, make Jesus the center, and make God’s way the only way.

^[1] Knight, G. W. (1992). The Pastoral Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 113). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.

^[2] Robinson, S. J. (2004). Opening up 1 Timothy (p. 36). Leominster: Day One Publications.

^[3] Litfin, A. D. (1985). 1 Timothy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 735). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.