The first seven verses in 1 Timothy 2 are Paul's discussion of his second sin, that of being an official who persecuted the church. But many commentators and theologians haven't understood how the first seven verses of 1 Timothy 2 fit into the structure of Paul's letter. 

Some have suggested like this person, that Paul "strung his ideas together in 1 Timothy in a rather haphazard manner." That doesn't sound like Paul to me!

Why this trouble? These people have missed the literary context of these seven verses. They have missed the continuing development of Paul's thought through each of his three sins and here in his discussion of his second sin, that of persecuting the church.

Paul knew all about officials who could wreak havoc on the church. These seven verses track closely Paul's own past:

• when he persecuted the church
• when he was converted
• when he ceased persecuting the church

GO DEEPER

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