 |  |
"I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayer, intercessions, and giving of
thanks be made for all men. For kings . . . . ."
The translation of parakaleo by `exhort' is supported by no less than 22 references in
the A.V., but over against this we find `beseech' 43 times, `comfort' 23 times, beside
`desire', `entreat' and `pray', and to the English ear, the word `exhort' sometimes
conveys a harsher sense than the original intends.
Crabb says:
"Exhortation has more of impelling in it: persuasion more of drawing; a superior
exhorts . . . . . a friend and an equal persuades."
Parakaleo the word in question is found four times in I Timothy, "I besought thee";
"I exhort therefore"; "intreat him as a father"; "teach and exhort" (I Tim. 1: 3; 2: 1;
5: 1; 6: 2). While therefore it is not suggested that `beseech' or `intreat' be substituted
for `exhort' in I Tim. 2: 1, the gracious element in the world should not be forgotten.
Most readers will recognize that the word Paraklete "The Comforter" is derived from this
same word. The Holy Ghost is more than an "Exhorter".
Many of the epistles were written to counteract some error of doctrine or practice that
was threatening the peace and endangering the witness at the time. Romans, Galatians
and Hebrews, have this in common that they both put the "law" in its true place, for there
were those in the Church who did not understand the implications of the doctrine "The
just shall live by faith", which text is quoted in each of these three epistles. The
Thessalonian epistles were written to counter false views concerning the Second Coming
of Christ and of the day of the Lord. The reader will not need further proofs but will be
able to supply the necessary information concerning I & II Corinthians, Colossians and
Philippians.
When we commence reading I Timothy, we soon discover that the Church was
disturbed by those who were `desiring to be teachers of the law', and because of their
misunderstanding of the difference between law and grace, they were concerned with
`endless genealogies'. Returning to the subject matter of this exhortation, namely prayer
for all men, we remember that Josephus records that Caius Caesar sent Petronius with an
army to Jerusalem, to place his statue in the Temple.
The Jews most strenuously resisted the attempt, saying that they would be willing to
allow the whole Jewish nation to be sacrificed rather than allow such desecration, but
they added:
"We offer sacrifices twice every day for Caesar, and for the Roman people" (Jos. B.J.
2: 10:4).
As an estimate of our true attitude toward constituted authority is necessary if we
would not misunderstand I Tim. 3: 1-7, the following references should be pondered: