Click here to read the passage, 1 Timothy 2:1-7.
Click here to read the notes and questions for 1 Timothy 1:1-2.
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-7: Global Prayer for the Local Church
Main Idea: Pray for and proclaim the gospel to all kinds of people because God desires their salvation and Christ died as ransom for all.
We live in a culture that resists claims of absolute truth. The prevailing mindset is: Live as you wish, believe what you want — just don’t push your beliefs on others. That’s often seen as the unpardonable sin today.
This is especially true with religious beliefs, which can make sharing the Gospel challenging. The Christian message is clear: “There is no other name … by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
It’s an exclusive claim.
Yet, our witness is meant to be inclusive. We are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), without exception.
The gospel, though absolute, is for everyone. Paul reminds Timothy — and us — that God’s heart desires all people to be saved.
The Initial Exhortation (1 Timothy 2:1–2)
In Chapter 1, Paul urges Timothy and the church to guard, celebrate and fight for the gospel. In Chapter 2, he gives a practical first step: pray.
Prayer is essential for the church’s mission to reach those who don’t know Christ. It’s simple — no need to leave your home or talk to others. Want to influence the lost, world leaders and eternity? Start by praying. It’s how we begin the fight for the gospel.
In Ephesus, false teachers were limiting salvation to a small group of religious elite, but Paul encouraged them not to limit their prayers.
It’s striking that Paul urged prayer for rulers while living under Nero, a brutal persecutor of Christians. Paul instructed them to pray for pagan rulers. Pray for the king who oppresses you, the leader you disagree with, and the ruler you don’t approve of.
John Chrysostom, one of the early church fathers, pointed out that it is much more difficult to hate someone when you are praying for them
The Theological Motivation (1 Timothy 2:3–7)
Paul has told us whom and what to pray for, but what drives us to pray like this?
We pray because God desires the salvation of all people
We pray because God deserves the honor of all people.
We pray because Christ died for the rescue of all people.
Questions
In what way is praying the easiest thing to do? In what way is it difficult?
What different kinds of people are there in your life? In what ways do you pray for them differently? In what ways are their prayer needs the same?
What kinds of prayers should you pray for politicians you don’t agree with? How might your prayers affect your attitude toward such authorities?
What is the significance of Jesus being called the “one mediator between God and men” in verse 5? How does this truth shape your relationship with God?
Why is it important that Paul emphasizes both the humanity and divinity of Christ in verse 5?
Paul describes the gospel as a “testimony given at the proper time” (verse 6). How does this timing aspect reflect God’s sovereignty in salvation?