Thursday, 5th November 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「我勸你，第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝；為君王和一切在位的，也該如此，使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事地度日。」（提摩太前書2:1–2）
引言
家人，今天我們每天接收很多消息，也面對各樣需要。看到社會的問題，我們會擔心；遇到家人的磨擦，我們會不開心；面對工作和教會的事情，我們也有自己的想法。有時候，我們已經說了很多、想了很久，卻還沒有把這些人和事情帶到神面前。我們知道信仰很重要，但在實際生活中，仍然容易讓情緒和習慣帶着自己走。
保羅寫信給提摩太時，以弗所教會正受到錯誤教導影響，有人陷入無益的辯論。保羅教導他們如何在神的家中生活，首先就提醒他們為萬人禱告。
讓我們一起從《提摩太前書》第二章，學習如何每天活出信仰。
一、每天禱告，記念身邊的人
「我勸你，第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝；為君王和一切在位的，也該如此。」（提摩太前書2:1–2上）
保羅說「第一要」，讓我們看見，為人禱告應當在教會生活中佔有重要的位置。我們常常在事情變得困難、自己沒有辦法的時候，才想起禱告。但保羅提醒我們，要經常為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝，讓代求成為生活的一部分。
「萬人」也擴闊了我們的眼光。我們要為家人和朋友禱告，也要記念與我們意見不同、甚至讓我們感到難以相處的人。保羅特別提到君王和一切在位的。即使掌權者不認識神，信徒仍然要為他們禱告，求神賜他們智慧，讓他們按公義作決定，顧念人的需要。
第二節接着說，使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事地度日。保羅盼望有安穩的生活環境，讓信徒能敬虔地生活，為福音作見證。這並不是保證禱告以後就沒有困難，而是教導我們把所處的環境交託給神，在其中忠心生活。
今天，我們可以為家人的需要代求，為同事承受的壓力禱告，也為政府和社會上的掌權者求智慧。家人，在我們每天的禱告中，有沒有為別人留下位置？有哪一個人，是我們經常談論，卻很少為他禱告的？
二、關心別人，盼望他們認識主
「這是好的，在神我們救主面前可蒙悅納。他願意萬人得救，明白真道。」（提摩太前書2:3–4）
「因為只有一位神，在神和人中間，只有一位中保，乃是降世為人的基督耶穌；他捨自己作萬人的贖價。」（提摩太前書2:5–6上）
保羅為甚麼勸信徒為萬人禱告？因為神願意萬人得救，明白真道。
我們關心人的健康、工作和家庭，也要記念他們與神的關係。人需要藉着耶穌基督得到赦免，與神和好。保羅清楚指出，只有一位中保，就是耶穌基督。祂捨自己作萬人的贖價。因此，我們的盼望在於基督已經為罪人付上代價，開了通往神的道路。
第七節保羅說，他「為此奉派」，作傳道、使徒和外邦人的師傅，教導人相信、學習真道。他清楚知道神給他的託付，也讓自己的生命朝着這個方向前進。
我們沒有領受與保羅完全相同的職分，但既然領受了福音，也應當在自己的崗位上為主作見證。我們為孩子的學業禱告，也可以求神幫助他們認識主；我們關心朋友的困難，也可以聆聽、陪伴，在合適的時候為他禱告，分享自己怎樣經歷神的恩典。
家人，當我們體會神救人的心意，就會更留意人的生命需要，也更願意用愛心和真理陪伴他們。今天，在我們經常接觸的人當中，有誰還未認識主？我們是否願意持續為他禱告，求神開路，讓他明白福音？
三、從自己做起，活出敬虔的生活
「我願男人無忿怒，無爭論，舉起聖潔的手，隨處禱告。」（提摩太前書2:8）
「只要有善行，這才與自稱是敬神的女人相宜。」（提摩太前書2:10）
保羅接着把教導帶進教會中男女信徒的生活。我們向神禱告，也需要讓自己的生命接受神的調整。
他先提醒男人，要放下忿怒和爭論，舉起聖潔的手禱告。舉手是禱告的姿態，而「聖潔」提醒我們，來到神面前的人，也要留意平日的行為。對弟兄來說，這是一個直接的提醒：我們有沒有主動承擔禱告的責任？面對家庭和教會的需要，我們是否願意先尋求神？當意見不同時，我們是否讓怒氣和爭競影響了彼此的關係？
我們需要讓神處理自己的心，學習帶着清潔的生命和溫柔的態度禱告。
保羅也提醒女人，要以合宜的衣着、廉恥和自守裝飾自己，以善行表明敬虔。這讓我們看見，敬畏神的生命應當透過日常行動被人看見，不能只停留在外在的表現。第十一至十二節，保羅吩咐女人安靜學道、一味順服，並對她們教導和轄管男人作出限制；第十三至十四節則以亞當先被造、夏娃受引誘的記載說明理由。因此，這段不能只當作一般禮貌的提醒，也不能直接推論成女人比男人沒有價值，或所有男人都可以支配所有女人。
不同教會對這項限制在今天如何實行有不同理解，但我們都需要認真面對經文，謙卑學習真道，尊重教會按聖經所建立的教導與服事次序。
第十五節提到「在生產上得救」，意思較難確定，不能理解為靠生孩子換取救恩。這章已經清楚指出，耶穌基督是唯一的中保。而這節最後清楚強調，要常存信心、愛心，又聖潔自守。
家人，讀到這些教導時，我們需要先讓神的話光照自己：我有沒有忽略禱告？我是否容易發怒、與人爭論？我是否重視外在表現，卻忽略善行？我是否願意受教，讓真理調整自己的想法？
每天活出信仰，就從自己願意被神改變開始。
總結
家人，《提摩太前書》第二章把我們帶回神的心意：祂願意萬人得救，也教導祂的兒女在每天的生活中活出敬虔。讓我們每天禱告，記念身邊的人；在關心別人的時候，也盼望他們認識主；並且從自己做起，讓言語、態度和行為接受神的調整。
今天，讓我們認真為一個人代求，也照着神的提醒，實際改變一個待人處事的態度。讓所相信的福音，在我們今天的生活中被人看見。
主啊，感謝祢藉着耶穌基督拯救我們，使我們可以來到祢面前。求祢教導我們每天為萬人禱告，也為掌權者求智慧。讓我們體會祢願意萬人得救的心意，關心身邊的人，忠心為祢作見證。求祢光照我們，幫助我們放下忿怒、爭論和虛榮，謙卑領受真道，常存信心、愛心，又聖潔自守，使我們每天活出信仰。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Key Verses: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2, NIV)
Introduction
Good morning, church family.
Every day, we hear a lot of news and face different needs. We worry about problems in society. We feel upset when there is tension at home. We also have our own ideas about work and church matters.
Sometimes, we have already talked a lot and thought about a situation for a long time, but we have not brought it before God.
We know that faith is important. Yet in daily life, our feelings and habits can easily guide our actions.
When Paul wrote to Timothy, false teaching was troubling the church in Ephesus. Some people were caught up in arguments that did not help anyone grow in faith. As Paul taught the church how to live as God’s family, he began by calling them to pray for all people.
Let us learn from 1 Timothy chapter 2 how to live out our faith every day.
- Pray Every Day and Remember Others
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1–2
Paul calls the church to make prayer for all people a priority. He includes requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving.
We often remember to pray when a situation becomes difficult or when we do not know what to do. But Paul teaches us to make prayer for others a regular part of our lives.
The words “all people” widen our concern. We should pray for our family and friends, and also for people who disagree with us or are difficult for us to get along with.
Paul especially mentions kings and those in authority. Even when leaders do not know God, believers should pray for them. We can ask God to give them wisdom, help them make just decisions, and care for the people they serve.
Paul’s desire is that believers may live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness. A peaceful environment allows the church to worship, serve others and share the gospel.
This does not mean that prayer guarantees a life without trouble. It teaches us to place our circumstances in God’s hands and live faithfully within them.
Today, we can pray for our family’s needs, the pressure our colleagues face, and the decisions our leaders must make.
Church family, do we make room for others in our daily prayers?
Is there someone we often talk about but rarely pray for?
- Care for Others and Pray That They Will Know Christ
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:3–7
Why does Paul ask the church to pray for all people?
Because God wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.
We care about people’s health, work and family life. We should also care about their relationship with God. People need forgiveness and peace with God through Jesus Christ.
In verses 5–6, Paul explains that there is one God and one mediator between God and people: Christ Jesus. He gave His life as a ransom for all.
A mediator brings two sides together. Jesus brings us into a restored relationship with God. Our hope rests in what He has done for us through His death.
In verse 7, Paul explains that he was appointed to proclaim this message and teach the Gentiles. He understood the task God had given him, and he gave his life to it.
We do not all have the same calling as Paul. But all of us who have received the gospel can be witnesses for Christ where God has placed us.
When we pray for our children’s studies, we can also pray that they will know and trust the Lord.
When a friend faces difficulties, we can listen, offer practical help, and pray with them when they are willing. At the right time, we can share how God has helped us.
As we understand God’s desire for people to be saved, we become more aware of their spiritual needs.
Who among the people we regularly meet does not yet know Christ?
Will we keep praying for them and ask God to open a way for them to hear and understand the gospel?
- Begin with Yourself and Live a Godly Life
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8–15
Paul then speaks about the lives of men and women in the church. As we pray to God, we must also allow Him to change us.
In verse 8, Paul calls men to pray with holy hands, without anger or arguing.
Lifting hands is a posture of prayer. But the word “holy” reminds us that our daily conduct matters too. The way we treat people should agree with the prayers we offer to God.
For the brothers, this is a direct reminder: Are we taking responsibility to pray?
When our family or church faces a need, do we seek God? When people disagree with us, do anger and arguments damage our relationships?
We need to let God work in our hearts, so that we can pray with a clean conscience and respond to others with gentleness.
Paul also calls women to dress appropriately, with modesty and self-control. He teaches them to show their devotion to God through good works.
A life that honours God becomes visible through everyday actions.
In verses 11–12, Paul instructs women to learn quietly and submissively, and places limits on teaching and exercising authority over men. In verses 13–14, he refers to Adam being created first and Eve being deceived.
These verses deserve careful attention. They do not mean that women have less value than men, or that every man has authority over every woman.
Churches understand the application of these instructions differently today. We must study them humbly, take Scripture seriously, and respect the arrangements for teaching and ministry that our church establishes through Scripture.
Verse 15, about being saved through childbearing, is difficult to interpret. It cannot mean that women earn salvation by having children. Earlier in this chapter, Paul has already made clear that Jesus Christ is the one mediator.
The verse ends by emphasising faith, love, holiness and self-control.
Church family, as we read these instructions, we should first allow God’s Word to examine our own lives.
Have I neglected prayer?
Am I easily angered? Do I often argue?
Do I care more about outward appearance than doing good?
Am I willing to learn and allow God’s truth to correct my thinking?
Living out our faith every day begins with our willingness to let God change us.
Conclusion
Church family, 1 Timothy chapter 2 brings us back to God’s heart. He wants people to be saved, and He calls His children to live godly lives.
Let us pray every day and remember others.
As we care for people, let us also pray that they will know Christ.
And let us begin with ourselves, allowing God to change our words, attitudes and actions.
Today, choose one person to pray for. Also ask God to show you one attitude that needs to change, and respond to His Word.
May the people around us see the gospel at work in our everyday lives.
Lord, thank You for saving us through Jesus Christ and welcoming us into Your presence. Teach us to pray every day for all people, including those in authority. Give our leaders wisdom. Help us to share Your desire for people to be saved and to care for those around us. Show us where we need to change. Help us to put away anger, arguments and pride, and receive Your truth with humble hearts. May we continue in faith, love, holiness and self-control, and live out our faith every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Leave a Reply