After exhorting Timothy that
he “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” within
the church of Ephesus, Paul the apostle went on to declare the
purpose of the law, his unworthiness of the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and his purpose for writing Timothy – that he might “war
a good warfare” against those who would bring false doctrine
into the church. In chapter two of his letter to Timothy, Paul begins
to specifically explain how Timothy is to carry out his exhortation.
We read:
I exhort therefore,
that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
The
verse begins, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers,...” Paul
began with the Greek word “palakaleo” or “I exhort”
which means “to call to one's side, call for and summon”
“therefore” which we know means we should refer to what
was just written to know why the conclusion“therefore”
is “there for”. In this case, because Timothy was to “war a
good warfare” against those who went against the gospel of
Jesus Christ, “that, first of all” or “principally or
chiefly, up front and before all else” “supplications” which
means “seeking, asking and intreating for needs, indigence, wants,
privations and penuries” were to “be made”. The idea is
to intensively pray to God for insufficiencies. Paul added, “prayers”
which are “orations of devotion to God”. There was to be a
“time and place” which Timothy set aside to devote himself and
others to the Lord in “prayers”.
The verse goes on to say,
“...intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men;” Paul
added, “intercessions”
which literally means “a falling in with or a meeting”, and it
implies “that for which an interview is held, a conference,
conversation or a petition”. Timothy was to “have a meeting with
God” on behalf of those for whom he was praying. Paul continued,
“and giving of thanks” or “offering gratitude and
thankful language” “be made” which means “make, cause,
render, prepare, do and carry out” “for all men” which
refers to “every individual whether male or female and any
collection of the same”. There was to be no one who exempt from
Timothy's “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks”.
While we take the time to
think through the words of Paul, let us be inspired to know that the
first order of business for Timothy as he sat in the seat of
authority was to be a man of prayer. Timothy was to seek God on
behalf of others. He was to be devoted to the Lord, and devote
himself to a certain “time and place” where he would do so for
others. Timothy was to “meet with God and petition Him for the
needs of others”, and he was to be grateful to the Lord as he
thought about every person in the world. Are we not inspired? Can we
sit for a moment at the feet of Paul the apostle who is prompted by
the Holy Spirit of God that “prayer” be our first
priority? May the Lord Jesus help us know the importance of relating
to our Heavenly Father through “supplications, prayers,
intercessions and giving of thanks” for both ourselves and
whomever He brings to our minds.
Next
time Paul includes authorities upon whom these should be made, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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