Paul urges that we pray for those in authority. Do you want to live a peaceful, godly, and dignified life? Pray for those who are in authority. What they decide affects your life. We’re to pray for them. We’re to intercede for them. They aren’t asking for mercy. Ask for mercy on their behalf. We’re also to make thanksgivings for them. God appoints authorities. Don’t speak evil of them. Give thanks for how God is using them in His purposes and pray that they would give their lives to God.

God wants their salvation. God’s heart is that everyone be saved. God wants everyone to come to knowledge of Him, knowledge of truth. Pray for them and share the truth.

Jesus shows us the way to love. He gave His life as a ransom for all. We’re to love everyone.

We don’t know who is saved or who will be saved. It’s not clear at all. There are people who think they are saved who will be saying, “Lord, Lord,” and He will say, “I never knew you.”

I think there are reasons it’s unclear who is saved. One is that we are to constantly look to God to be our salvation. We don’t say a prayer once. He wants us to rely on Him every day from now through all eternity.

But another reason is that we’re supposed to love like Jesus. We’re supposed to love them all and love them to the end. You don’t know who will come to a saving knowledge of God. They all need to be shown love. They all need to be told the truth. We don’t get to write anyone off.

We’re given more of Paul’s thoughts on men and women. Men aren’t to argue, but pray together in holiness. Women are to be adorned in good works. That’s the beauty of a godly woman. People treat you differently because of how you are dressed. That’s on them, not you. Dress up in good works.

We see the word permission again from Paul here. He doesn’t permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man. Other leaders can choose to give permission. The woman given the permission to teach and lead in a particular way is still in submission to her leaders.