I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing (1 Timothy 2:8).
What does Paul want to take place in the church? Prayer. Let’s read again 1 Timothy 2:1-8. Are there any new insights that you see about Christ and God? In your version of the bible, are there the words, “God our savior?” Did you notice that? This is not a title we often think about for God. It is used six times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. It is used in 1 Timothy 1:1; 2:3; and 4:10.
Let’s move along. Today read 1 Timothy 2:8-15. In Psalm 34:16 and 1 Peter 3:10-12, the Psalmist and Peter contrasted the prayers of the unrighteous and the righteous. The words of a prayer are only as powerful as the righteous living in the life o the person who prays. Pay attention to Paul’s revelation on how men and women can pray with influence. To pray well, men and women must live holy lives. Are Paul’s guidelines for prayer less for men than for women? When you first read this passage, it appears that Paul is unfair to women. He writes responsibilities of men in one verse yet uses several verses for the women. When we examine the words lift up the holy hand, Paul said as much to men- using fewer words.
What does it mean to lift up holy hands? In scripture, hands symbolize deeds, actions, and lifestyle – whether holy or unholy. We use our hands for almost everything. Have you ever had surgery on any body part and come to realize how much you use that part. I have had surgery on my wrist and hands; I remind myself how often I use my hands for so many things. Our hands first become holy when God forgives us of our sins and washes us. They remain clean as we submit the Word and the Spirit and live a righteous life. Think about all that our hands can do. They can pick up books and magazines to read. They can turn on music, t.v., the internet, or the radio. Whether they are godly or not. With our hands, they can help or hurt others. We can use our hands to share food, clothes, or money and to do good deeds. On the other hand, our hands can steal, cheat, hit, or send ugly messages. We, as Christ-followers, need to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
Read 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 2 Peter 2:22, James 1:27, Rev. 3:4, Col. 3:5-10, Eph. 4:25-5:7, Romans 8:13, Gal. 5:16-25, Isa 1:15-20.
The Scriptures emphasize our responsibility to keep ourselves clean and pure after Jesus cleans us. If we have sinned, we must cleanse our hands. That is, repent, turn away, and follow Jesus in the light. As we submit to the Spirit, God gives us grace and power to overcome the world and live holy lives. Holy hands are guided by love—God’s standard for our behavior. As we love God and others, we live holy lives, and we can lift holy hands. Our prayers are powerful with God. The following verses are about our responsibility to keep our hands holy – Isa. 1:15-20; Romans 8:12-14; Gal. 3:5-10; Col. 3:5-10; James 1:27, 4:8; 1 John 1:7, 9; Rev. 3:4.
Holy hands are linked to relationships. We are not to be angry or disputing. In chapter one, the false teachers were stirring controversies and division. Lifting holy hands includes living in the right relationship with others. Read James 4:1-4. James reminds us that anger and disputing are the fruit of deeper roots. What is the solution to avoiding anger and quarrels? Stand firm on the solid foundation of the gospel. Turn away from twisted teachings that appeal to fleshly desires. Be led by the Spirit.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being a forgiving God to us sinners. I pray that we will keep and choose to have holy hands before you. I pray that we will let the Holy Spirit guides us into righteous living.
In Jesus Name
Amen
