, open up to 1 Timothy chapter 2. As we're going to read some of the context here before we, hit the latter verses, just by way of reminder. This is a book written by Paul, to a young pastor named Timothy. And Timothy is the pastor of the Church of Ephesus.
And in this book we can imply that there's some messages that Paul wants to give to Timothy personally, but knowing that Timothy is going to read the text and preach the text, he's also backing up Timothy's ministry. Timothy is a young pastor is trying to accomplish certain things within the church. he's trying to help them understand that the Church of the living God is the pillar and ground of truth, and he wants to teach the church how to conduct themselves in the house of God, like it says in 1 Timothy 3:15. And so Paul is writing this letter to both exhort and encourage Timothy, but also knowing that it's going to get to the congregation as well.
Let's read chapter 2 starting in verse 1. I'm reading from a New King James Version. Therefore, Paul says, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
There's one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time, for which I am appointed a preacher and an apostle. I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying, a teacher of the Gentiles and faith and truth. In those 1st 7 verses Paul exhorts Timothy and his pastoral ministry to offer up prayers for government leaders and all men that there'd be peace, but not just that there would be peace in the land, but so that the gospel could go forward and the Savior of all men, this mediator Jesus Christ, could be proclaimed and accepted because God wants to call people to Himself. And then Paul reminds Timothy that this is why I'm in the apostolic business....
