Lectionary Year C
September 23, 2001
1 Timothy 2:1-7

Distillation

Step II - Disposition

A. Genre

(JFC) This set of statements seems to begin being an injunction on prayer. It emphasizes that these prayers are to be for all persons (men), of whom examples are named. It promises a good life for those who pray such prayers. They get more confirmation from God's perspective on such prayers. Then, it describes God in several phrases and clauses that heap accolades of excellence onto the name of the deity. Next, Christ gets mentioned as mediator between God and humankind. Finally, this lection ends corroborating the author of these statements as called to serve.

B. Personal Interaction

(JFC) My first question asks why so many words seem rather unfamiliar? There seem to be very subtle differences in what these Greek words say in English in this context. Next, I miss any mention of prayers of confession, especially after last week's lection was so emphatic about confessing sinfulness. Then, I wonder where the inclusion of the monarchs gets into the focus on prayer and how does the result (a life of peace and tranquility) thereof get into the mix as well? Do all the statements, re: God and Christ, really follow duly on the instructions about prayer? And, does the reason given in the final verse in this text refer to the order to pray or to the association with the God and Christ cited or to both? Then, too, why does the author think he needs to assure us he is telling the truth and not lying?

C. Organization

(JFC) The first verse and a half is about prayer. Verse 2b tells why such prayers are to be prayed. The rightness of such prayers gets referred to God's accepting them in verse 3 and verse 4 describes this God's desires for everyone's salvation and coming to know the truth. Verse 5 declares the oneness of God and quickly thereupon mentions Christ, the mediator, "himself human". The penultimate verse in this passage adds another attribute of this Christ, that he "gave himself as a ransom for all" and that it "was attested at the right time". The concluding verse reverts back to the author as "appointed as herald and apostle . . . a teacher of Gentiles in faith and truth." The qualifying phrases seem to flow rather rapidly from one to another, as if the generator of them is in a hurry to get all conveyed that he wants/needs to convey. This style seems to confirm the "urgency" mentioned in the first line. He interrupts the urgency only to mention a few examples when and where he, apparently, thinks of them.

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