Paul exhorted or encouraged Timothy to encourage the congregation in Ephesus to do something for all men. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the church is to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all men. What a great blessing to be given such purposes and truly we can say as the people of God, we have something to do daily (Phil. 2.12). Before we can even enjoy the blessings and benefits of being exhorted or encouraged to do these things for the world, we must define the very things Paul tells Timothy the church is to do on behalf of the people.

The church is indebted to the world in one sense, in that we are to essentially pray for all men. God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2.4). So, we are to supplicate, which is to petition, request, seek, entreat God. The scriptures give us a great illustration of supplication in Luke 18.1-8, with the widow and the judge. This parable demonstrates how men are to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18.1). This widow was very persistent in her addressing the judge as we should be in addressing God for our fellow man. Paul would instruct the Philippians to do so with thanksgiving (Phil. 4.6).

Furthermore, as the people of God, our Father has commanded us to pray for all men and those in authority. When researching prayer, it is not only going to God and addressing Him, but rather it is also an oratory rendering of words to God in a public setting. In other words, we should pray for all men in our private times of life and also in our assemblies. In Acts 12.5, Peter was kept in prison and the church immediately offered prayers on his behalf to God. The widow who is worthy of being on the church payroll, is known for being one who trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day (1 Tim. 5.5). When we see examples such as this, we should be encouraged to pray more for our fellow man and those in authority.

Paul exhorted that intercessions should also be made for all men as well. Remember, God desires for His people to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence. As the church of Christ, let this not be overlooked or forgotten by us. This word is only used two (2) times in the New Testament and is worthy of examination (1 Tim. 2.1; 4.5). Notice some Greek definitions for us to consider, that we may know what God meant by interceding on be-half of all men. Here are a few to consider, from a noun perspective “a falling in with; meeting with; a conference or conversation”. From a verb perspective, “to chance upon; confer with; by extension to entreat”, also to plead with one against anyone. In a very real sense, this is what Jesus does for us to God when we approach God in prayer (Rom. 8.27; 34; Heb. 7.25). What a great privilege given to us and not to mention, what great power we have to go to God on behalf of those in need. God is truly exhorting us and we should be ever grateful for such blessings and perhaps by chance, God will answer and do something on their behalf.

Paul encouraged Timothy to exhort the church to give thanks for all men and those in authority. We are to give thanks in everything according to the words of Paul (1 Thess. 5.18). It seems like Paul is cultivating the mindset and attitude of the child of God to be genuinely grateful for people in general. We should go to God on behalf of those we come in contact with. We should go to God for our governmental officials and those who rule over us. This actually helps us to be spiritual in mind, body and spirit and to keep those in mind as we go to God in our day to day supplications and prayers to the Father. What a blessing to be in the mindset to be in the position to give thanks to God for all people, and we should do so with humility and honor. Again, when we have the right attitude towards God, this will actually help us to see men in the right way and give thanks to God for them and those in authority.

In closing, we need to encourage one another to simply go to God on behalf of each other and the world around us. So, as Timothy was responsible for encouraging the brethren at Ephesus, we have the responsibility to build up one another and remind each other of the blessing of actually taking our friends, family and others to the throne of God (Heb. 4.16). Let us do our best to see who needs us to go to God on their behalf, and we should seek the lost in bringing their names to the throne of God for their possible salvation. May the Lord bless us to be aware of those in need of our spiritual services and seek to take them to God. May we strive to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.