This passage gives the church some guideline on worship so that we might worship God in a manner that is pleasing to God. The guidelines in themselves may change along with time and culture but the principles, the purposes behind these guidelines remain the same through the ages.

"I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle - I am telling the truth, I am not lying - and a teacher of the truth faith to the Gentiles."

During this period, the Christians were under the rule of the Roman emperor, Nero. Nero persecuted many Christians because of their faith and it certainly was difficult for the Christians to worship God and even spread the gospel.

Hence, Paul wrote this passage to Timothy, encouraging him to pray for everyone, especially those in authority i.e. the ruling government. Pray for what? 1. To pray that the rulers would be good to the people; people often suffer physically when their leaders are corrupted. 2. To also pray that the leaders would (eventually) allow the Christians to worship God, live a christian life of "godliness and holiness" and also spread the gospel freely, in peace. Why pray for these? When there is freedom and peace, the gospel would be able to be spread. This pleases God, who desires that everyone come to know Jesus and finally enter His kingdom.

Praying for their leaders was also a way of expressing their obedience to the ruling government and ultimately God. How is God and the ruling government related then? This is what Romans 13:1-6 says: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear from the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience, This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect, if honour, then honour." In this passage, the "he" refers to Emperor Nero. While he persecuted many Christians and may have been an enemy of the Christians, God placed in in authority that he might maintain law and order in the country. Even Jesus, in Matthew 22:13-17 told the people to obey the authorities. However, of course we must use our discretion to determine when to obey the authorities and when not to. In Acts 4:19, Paul reminds us of this. If we know that what the authorities want goes against what God wants, then we should obey God rather than the authorities.

"I also want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." "Holy hands" was a postition of prayer and "disputing" referred to doubting. But against who should we not have anger and doubt against when praying? I believe it is against others. For Matthew 5:23-24 tells us this: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift." Ephesians 4:26 says: "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." It also makes sense, for how can we with the same mouth that praises God, mutter complaints and grieviences against our neighbour? In Luke 12:58-59, Jesus tells us how to handle our grieviences against our neighbours.

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." In those days, dressing extravagantly is associated with sexual license. It also distracts worshipers from God. Paul is not trying to tell us that we cannot dress up here. However, he is telling us to watch our dressing, that the way we dress does not shift our focus or other people's focus from God onto our dressing. Paul also reminds us that what really matters about a person is not appearances but the heart, the character. A good character is characterised by good deeds done with the right attitude. That is worship that pleases God.

Summary: Paul tells us these points -
1. Pray for our leaders, that they will lead the country well, and also grant us peace to worship God and spread the gospel freely.
2. When you pray, pray with the right attitude. If you have grudges against someone else, settle it first.
3. When you worship God, focus on the heart rather than on outward appearances (or actions for that matter). For "The Lord does not look at the things that man looks at. Man loos at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."