20060115
Chapter 2 of 1 Timothy contains two distinctive teachings for the young pastor Timothy and for the church today. The first teaching is the easy one, the lesson of praying for the world in which we live so that it might be saved from its sin. This prayer is the heartfelt duty of all Christians and a reminder that our primary mission, as we are already saved by Grace, is to tell that Grace to others and pray for it to take hold.
The second teaching is more difficult, especially in these modern times, because it refers to the role of women in the church. There are many disputing interpretations of this passage that range from ignoring it to applying absolutely literally and firmly. I will leave the debate on this subject to those who already debate it, except to say that I do adhere to the theology that women are prevented from being pastors or elders in the church, in part, because of passages like this one, but that is a study for another time.
DLH
