“I exhort therefore,” says the Apostle, “that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men” (verse 1). Perhaps there is no Christian duty that is more neglected than that of praying for others. However, it is enforced by the example of the most eminent saints. Abraham interceded with God on behalf of wicked Sodom; and the Lord said, in answer to his prayer, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.” Moses – the illustrious picture of Christ, the great Intercessor – prayed for the people of Israel, and we learn that God would have destroyed them if Moses had not pleaded with the Lord and stood in the gap. Samuel was another example of a great man of prayer: “God forbid,” said he, “that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you!” The Psalmist exhorts the people of God to pray for the peace of Jerusalem; and Daniel humbled himself before Jehovah, day and night – fasting and praying concerning the sins of the Jews. However, we should not be encouraged to engage in this duty merely because it is recommended to us by the practice of these patriarchs, judges, Psalmists, prophets, and Apostles; rather, we should pray for others because this duty is included within the general obligation of Christian love, of which it forms an essential part. The disciples of Jesus must be praying people, without distinction of nation, rank, or party.
Our Savior desires for all people to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (verses 4-6). And so it is only natural that we, as His followers, should be willing and eager to pray for all people. He is the one and only God-man Mediator between the holy God and sinful humans. He gave Himself to be the ransom for any and all who are willing to come to His mercy-seat in the way that He has appointed, to seek reconciliation with Him. He brought sinful human beings to stand upon new terms with God, so that they are not now under the law, but under grace. His death was a ransom – a counter-price. We deserved to have died; but Jesus died for us, to save us from death and hell. He voluntarily gave Himself as the ransom, and became our Mediator – taking it upon Himself to make peace, and to bring God and man back into the loving relationship from which man fell when he sinned.
In verse 8, the Apostle gives us directions on how to pray. Our prayers are not to be confined to any one particular place or house of prayer; we must pray everywhere. No place is a bad place for prayer, and no place is more acceptable to God than another (John 4:21). We may and must pray in private, among our families, before our meals, when we are traveling, and in the solemn assemblies of the Lord’s people for worship. It is the will of God that we should lift up holy hands in prayer – that is, hands that are purified from sin’s pollution, and washed in the fountain that is open for uncleanness (Ps. 26:6; Zech. 13:1).
In the latter portion of this chapter (verses 9-15), we find the Apostle’s exhortations toward women who profess to be followers of Jesus. Their apparel ought not to display immodesty, gaudiness, or extravagance; for they have far better adornments with which they should beautify themselves – namely, with good works of holiness and love. Such works are the best ornament; in the sight of God, they are of very great price. And the most humbly dressed believer in Jesus has much better clothing than the wealthiest empress of this earth – even the beautiful wedding-garment of the Savior’s perfect righteousness.
The daughters of the King of heaven must learn the principles of their faith. They must search the Scriptures and learn of Christ. They ought not to think that their sex excuses them from learning that which is necessary to salvation. Nevertheless, they must be silent and submissive to their fathers or husbands – not endeavoring to usurp the authority that the Lord has bestowed upon men, which they are to exercise in gentleness and love. Paul gives the reason for this exhortation, and it is drawn from the very first pages of the Old Testament. It is because Adam was first formed, and then Eve was made out of him – denoting that she was dependent upon him, and that she was made to be a helpmeet for him. But there is also another reason; and that is the fact that just as she was the last in the Creation, she was also the first to be deceived into transgressing the Lord’s commandment. It was part of the sentence which the Lord laid upon her that “thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (Gen. 3:16). But it is a word of comfort to women that those who continue in faith, love, holiness, and sobriety shall be “saved in childbearing” (verse 15). Perhaps there was a hint here of the blessing of that great and noble work that is possible only to motherhood. But the chief blessing lies in what may be preeminently called “the childbearing,” when Jesus – the Savior of the world – was born of a Woman, and appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh; for thus was fulfilled that great promise (Gen. 3:15) of the Woman’s Seed crushing the serpent’s head, which brought a gleam of hope into the darkness of Eve’s despair! That being said, it ought to be mentioned that the particular pains and sorrows to which women are subject should cause men to exercise their authority over their weaker vessels with much gentleness, tenderness, and love. It has been very wisely observed that the Woman was formed out of the Man’s rib – not from his feet to be trampled upon, and not from his head to be superior; but rather, from his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and next to his heart to be loved by him!
Lord, we confess that, as Your people, we have often failed to be a praying people. Give us grace to amend this failure, and to pray everywhere for everyone! Amen.
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