For All People to Be Saved (1 Timothy 2:1-7)

As you “wage the good warfare” this week, start with prayer. Not just prayer for yourself. Not just prayer for your family. Not just prayer for your people. Start with prayer “for all people.”

First of all then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… (1 Timothy 2:1)

As general as the first part of this passage sounds, Paul has something specific and actionable in mind.

…I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions… (1 Timothy 2:1b-2a)

Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” God is infinitely more capable of affecting national policies than voters, representatives, lobbyists, etc.—all put together. But why does Paul want the church to pray for the kings of all people in this passage?  

…that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:2b)

Why pray for this? Hasn’t the church often become leaner and more effective under adverse conditions? Was Tertullian wrong when he said that “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church”?

No, but that doesn’t mean we should hope for adverse conditions. It’s not wimpy to pray “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” In fact, Paul states clearly that this is good.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior… (1 Timothy 2:3)

But it’s not good as an end. It’s good as a means. The goal is not that the government would leave us alone so we can have peace and quiet and enjoy our godliness and dignity. Paul has something beyond this in mind.  

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

The reason we should pray “for all people, for kings and all those who are in high positions,” is because God “desires all people to be saved and know the truth.” Paul wants the church to pray in such a way that it brings about a conducive environment for spreading the gospel. An environment in which Christians can live out their faith in open godliness and dignity before the watching world. 

We should pray for all people because there’s only one way to salvation and there’s only one truth. Apart from Christians finding openings to proclaim this truth to the whole world, people will die without it.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Timothy 2:5-7)

When Jesus commissioned the apostles, he said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The apostles’ goal was never fulfilled by an individual church. They were always pressing further toward “the end of the earth.” We carry on this mission today because Jesus is the mediator, not just for us and our people, but for all people.

Timothy’s efforts in Ephesus were part of a wider warfare. So are yours in your church. Pastors in Mustoe are “waging the good warfare” alongside pastors in Elkview, Lenoir, the rest of the country and around the world. You are not alone. You are part of an army of missionaries, church planters, and pastors.

You’ve been given a specific post in this warfare. Your work among your people is a vital part of the ultimate campaign. Every soldier must be vigilant and do their part to the best of their ability. Your faithfulness is essential.

You fight, not so your church will survive and grow, but so all people will have a chance to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. And we pray our way that direction.

So, I encourage you to keep this bigger picture in mind as you pray this week. Pray beyond your people. Pray for God to pave the way for the gospel to keep expanding to more and more people through the Church.