Things to look for in chapter 1

1. Paul's reference to Timothy as his "true child in faith" - When might Paul have taught Timothy the gospel of Jesus Christ?
    
2. Mention of homosexuality - How clear is it that Paul condemns homosexuality here?
    
3. The prophecies that led the way to Timothy - what was that about?
    
4. Note the parallel between 1 Tim. 2:20 and 1 Cor. 5:5, both in terms of the language describing the action and the purpose.
    

Things to look for in chapter 2

1. The phrase "first of all" which seems to indicate that Paul's previous remarks have been introductory, and that he is now beginning to say the things that will comprise the purpose of the letter. Itemize the topics discussed beginning with the phrase "first of all" and continue until 1 Tim. 3:15 where Paul gives his purpose in writing these things to Timothy. Consider the purpose, and the things you itemized, and then think about what "behave themselves in the house of God" means. What does "behave" mean, and what does "in the house of God" mean?
    
2. What distinctions are to be understood between "supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings"?
    
3. What is the connection between 2:1-2 and 2:4?
    
4. What is the connection between 2:4 and 2:6?
    
5. What is the connection between 2:6 and 2:7?
    
6. There are three places where Paul uses the expression that is translated "in every place." Look at the occurrences in 1 Thess. 1:8, 1 Cor. 1:2, and here in 1 Tim. 2:8 and see if you can discern what Paul means by the phrase. Does he mean...

   1. In every imaginable place, the stream, the market, the field, the olive tree, the mountain top, etc.?
   2. In every place where there is a church, e.g., in Thessalonica, in the cities of Macedonia generally where there were churches, in Corinth, in the cities of Achaia generally where there were churches, in Ephesus, etc.?
   3. In every assembly of saints, that is, in their gatherings?

   Explain why you think what you think in light of the usage of the phrase in the 3 cited passages.
   
    

7. Paul contrasts what a woman is to adorn herself with and what she is not to adorn herself with. What belongs in each category? How similar is this passage to 1 Pt. 3:3?
    
8. What similar expression do you see in 2:2 and 2:11? What differences do you see between what Paul teaches here in 1 Tim. 2:11-12 and what Paul teaches in 1 Cor. 14:34-35?
    
9. Consider Acts 18:26 in light of 1 Tim. 2:12. Should we conclude Priscilla was wrong? Or should we conclude that "teach" can be rather specific, not so general as to include every activity whereby a woman illuminates a man's understanding or brings new information to his ears? Can you think of passages in the NT where "teaching" should be understood in a rather specific sense?
    
10. What is the reason Paul gives for not permitting a woman "to teach nor to have dominion over a man"?
     
11. Verse 15 can mean either...

    1. women are saved by living godly lives, working in the roles God has given them, which most usually involves marriage and motherhood (cf. 1 Tim. 5:14, Titus 2:5)
    2. women are saved by Jesus Christ, who was born of woman (cf. Gal. 4:4)

    Which do you think it means? Or is there some other way that you understand the passage? In any event, what is its connection to the previous verses?