‍ Praying for Those in Authority

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4

With a view of being in harmony with all of scripture, what does Paul mean by this?

First, he is writing to Timothy, teaching him what he is to teach the "ekklesia."

We get the best interpretation of what "ekklesia" means, practically, in Act 19:23ff.

A silversmith named Demetrius spread rumours about Paul and Silus that caused un uproar in Ephesus. The result of stirring up the people was this:

"The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly [ekkesia], the disciples would not let him." v. 29, 30

Anyway, the city clerk quiets the crowd and at one points adds this comment about resolving the complaint, "But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly." v. 39

The Greek word translated as "assembly" is "ekklesia" which, in other places, is erroneously translated as "church" in modern versions for, what may be deceptive reasons. More on this in, "The Mysterious Word Church".

These people in Ephesus had a problem which affected them and they wanted this resolved. They knew it required a gathering where they could come to a consensus as to how this issue could be remedied.

From this example, out of everyday Greek life, we get the real meaning of what an "ekklesia" is—it's people called to assemble in order to govern.

Paul tells Timothy that the purpose of the ekklesia is to speak "entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgiving" concerning all men, kings, and those who hold authority, or sway, affecting our "tranquil and quiet life."

We have the authority and the mandate to ask God, our Father, to directly influence secular 'authorities' or to remove those people who hamper our "tranquil and quiet life." When we do this in one accord—two or three or more in agreement—it will be done for us.

All authority has been given to Jesus and he has given us1 authority in order to govern—here and now.

Our nations and cities are in the sad state they are in because we have acted like dumb sheep following the dictates of the ungodly rather than standing firm as SONS of God with the mandate, and authority, to affect our societies for the kingdom.

Our enemy knows the authority we have and has gone to the extreme to hide it from us.

Let's do it! Now!

Footnotes

1 Matthew 28:18-19

©2016, Dr Steven Bydeley, a man.

All publishing rights reserved. Permission is herewith granted to reprint this article for personal use and to link or refer to it; however, no commercial re-publishing of the material in this article is permitted without prior written consent.

Steven is the author of Fathered by God and with his wife Dianne, co-author of Dream Dreams and Dreams the Heal and Counsel. He has been a guest on the Miracle Channel, Trinity Television, and Crossroads Communication, and has taught internationally on various topics.

Without Prejudice. © 2023, Steven., house of bij de Leij., of man.