From the New International Version of the Bible:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in it's proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle - I am telling the truth, I am not lying - and a teacher of the true faith of the Gentiles.
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Commentary
In this passage from chapter two, Paul tells us why prayer works and how it's even possible for us as sinners to be able to communicate with the one, true, living God. And more to the point, he explains that it's the same spiritual mechanism that enables anyone who desires it, to become a Christian.
As he says in verse 4, God wants all humanity to be saved, but there is only one way for this to happen. Since God is perfect and hates disobedience and sin, it became necessary for someone to stand between Him and sinful humanity to mediate the dispute. Even though God longs to communicate with us and wants us to be His Children, our sin stands in the way of that. But then Christ, His Son, came in the fullness of time and gave His life in payment for all our sins - past, present and future. And it was this act that mediated and closed the dispute between God and humanity. Those of us that have accepted these facts in faith can now approach God in prayer without fear or shame because the price of our disobedience has been paid in full. God can now look at us and love us as His children because the sin is gone. Jesus took it away.
Paul then goes on to explain that is is for this reason that he was appointed as an apostle to the Gentiles. It was to be his job to bring this truth - this good news - to the non-Jewish world. Salvation and fellowship with the one true God is now possible because of the work of God's son. For this reason, men of faith should put aside anger and disputes and lift up their hands in prayers of thanks for the wonders of salvation and for His love and grace.
Questions
- Why do you think this discussion was relevant here? Paul had just finished talking about the importance of prayer in public worship, then he launched into an explanation of the spiritual mechanics of prayer and salvation.
- Paul emphasized his appointment as an apostle to the Gentiles and his mission to reveal the truth of the gospel to them. How do you convince someone that you are telling them the truth about the gospel?
- Paul advises prayer without anger or dispute. How do these things hinder our prayer life and what can we do about it?
