Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all men (v6)
Ransom means redemption price. It is a price paid to release a slave from his master.This verse does not mean all men and women are saved, because the rest of the bible clearly teaches that only those who believes (John 3:16; Rom 10:9) are saved.
What this verse means is Jesus’s death is sufficient as ransom for all mankind. God loves all men and thus sent Jesus to die for all men, however only those who believes that will be saved. In another word, Christ’s death is unlimited in its sufficiency, but limited in its application. Christ’s death is sufficient to cover the sins of all men in all human’s history and future, however only those who responded will receive the redemption.
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayers, without anger or disputing (v8)
Few principles we can learned from this verse.
First, men (aner G435) is a specific word referring to men. Everywhere means all meeting places. Paul is teaching that man, instead of woman should be the spiritual leaders in public worship.
We work with our hands. Holy hands mean our works should be separated from the world. In another word, our live should be holy and separated from the world for God. Paul is calling men to live godly life, so they can lead God’s people to come before God, which is what prayers are. The condition of our heart is the key, not the outward form of raising our hands in prayers. Although we can surely lift our hands while praying, but make sure are heart are holy for God before we lift our hands.
Without anger or disputing are towards other people. If we are in anger or in dispute with others, it does not matter how high we lift our hands in prayers. Jesus said: “leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brothers; then come and offer your gift.” (Matt 5:24).
I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent (v12)
Men should be the spiritual leaders at home and at church. This is that arrangement of God. Men symbolize Christ and women symbolize His church. Christ should be the head, not His church. “…the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” (11 Corinthians 11:3)
Paul taught the same principle earlier in his life when he wrote to the Corinthians church (1 Cor 14:34).
However it does not mean women cannot exercise their spiritual gifts at home or in church. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head – it is just as though her head were shaved.” Women can pray or teach, but they ought to do that with their head covered. Not physically, but spiritually. In their spirit must acknowledge and submit to God’s principle in His church, which is glorify Christ.
The most appropriate environments are sisters to exercise their spiritual gift in teaching is at home with her children, at church with the children, and in sisters’ meetings.
Women will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety (v15)
This is a very difficult verse to interprete. Here is my understanding. If a woman has no faith, has no love, and does not live a holy life, even if she give birth to many children, she would not be saved.
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