A Torah Verse By Verse Commentary Of Paul's Epistles by Re'tzon Ha'El - HTML preview

Chapter 2

V1 Bearing in mind that the original epistles never had chapter breaks, Paul commences to spell out how to approach this spiritual combat systematically. Supplications and prayers are evidently not synonyms as believed by most, otherwise Paul would have not listed them one after the other. ‘Deesis’ is Greek for ‘want, indigence, privation’. In simple English this means a seriously impoverished condition requiring petition. This differs from proseuche/prayer in that it is a petition from a completely broken spirit and contrite heart, where one is begging for the Most High to rescue them from their dire need.

We cannot entreaty Elohim from an arrogant heart that does not entirely need Him cf Rev 3:14-17. Many a prayer from the prosperity gospel theatres of glitz and glam, are but empty clouds without water. In addition to needy entreaty and prayer, intercessions for the whole nation or locality that one is in must also be made, coupled with thanksgiving. We must not forget that there is a hierarchy in Satan’s battalions. There are principalities that rule over nations. Below them are powers, then rulers of the darkness of this world cf Eph 6:12 and Dan 10:11-13,20,21. By binding these greater forces of evil that rule over the masses, the warfare becomes less taxing cf Mk 3:27.

V2 Not only are we to intercede for the proletariat, but also for the basileus/kings, leaders of people and for all authority of society, in order for the very intercessors and other saints to freely express their praise and worship of Elohim and kingdom building through winning souls, without persecution and resistance from them, by virtue of the invisible enemy having been conquered. This is what is lacking in society today. Churches are busy praying for one political party to dominate another, totally aloof of the fact that Satan works on both sides to maintain the status quo of wickedness. Rather we should be interceding through prayer against these invisible forces of evil, and for the leaders to be freed from their pernicious influence.

V3-4 Paul uses the word ‘all’ repeatedly from the opening verse to express the wish for Elohim and Yeshua to redeem all humanity unto salvation. Our supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings must not be biased in nature, for the wickedest of men are the ones most sought after for soul winning. If we are able to win the wickedest of souls for Messiah, how much injurious would it be for the kingdom of Satan, and conversely of immense advantage to us in convincing the less wicked of the gospel truth. We must always aim high in spiritual warfare. 

V5-6 YHVH is echad as previously seen in Deut 6:4. YHVH is composed of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Yeshua wilfully chose to be reduced to the state of man, begotten of the Father, by the Holy Spirit. By living a sin-free life, as an unblemished lamb of Elohim, he died once for all of the world’s sins, in order for all mankind to be eligible to be redeemed unto salvation by His blood. He is seated at the right hand of the Father still as a man, and He is our eternal High Priest of the order of Melchizedek, interceding for us day and night. I refer you dear beloved to my commentary on the book of Hebrews, for a deeper understanding of these salient concepts.

V7 Paul never assumed himself to be a representative of Yeshua, but rather was appointed to serve 3 different ministries of:

a. Kerux /preacher heralding the gospel of the life, death and resurrection of Yeshua cf Eph 3:7-8. The purpose of preaching is to herald the will of Elohim, in order to convict the heart of the recipient in order for his will to conform to that of the Father.

b. Apostolos/delegate, apostle of Messiah giving testimony to Yeshua’s resurrection cf Acts 4:33; 1 Cor 9:1. This defines Paul’s employment as one deployed by Messiah to seek lost souls.

c. didaskalos/teacher of his word to the Gentiles in faith and truth cf 1 Cor 12:28. A teacher expounds the laws of Elohim unto the convicted soul in order to expedite the renewal of the mind. This teaching of Torah enables one to progressively steer away from the old carnal life and grow spiritually in faith and truth cf Rom 12:1-3; 7:22,25.

Paul reconfirms Yeshua’s ordination of these 3 ministerial posts upon him in 2 Tim 1:11. The ultimate purpose of these ministries is defined in Eph 4:11-13. In order to affirm his claims Paul solemnly declared in Messiah that he lied not. This he did several times declaring truth in the Father and the Holy Spirit as a means of being taken seriously. It would be foolish for any man to use YHVH’s name in vain hence his declaration carried much weight cf Rom 9:1; Gal 1:20.

V8 cf Ps 134:2. This verse is easily glossed over yet has great revelation ingrained within it. The word hosios translated holy is Greek for ‘undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious’. This fundamental truth is totally missed in the English translations. Paul was expressing that which was already well established in the Tanakh/Old Testament, that genuine acceptable praise of Yehovah in His Holy sanctuary could only be deemed so by raised hands that observed His equally Holy Torah.

It is fashionable in the churches of today for many Torah breaking, Torah hating, defiled hands to be raised in praise and worship, under the delusion that the praise given shall be accepted by YHVH Elohim cf Isa 1:15. Scripture clearly stipulates that we are to approach the Almighty in such manner under the sole condition of observing His laws and commandments cf Ps 24:3-5; 26:5-7; 63:4. Not only must we be in a state of holiness defined by Torah written in our hearts and minds, when worshipping YHVH Elohim, but we must have no orge/anger, wrath nor dialogismos/dispute, doubt, hesitation in our hearts either, lest it be counterproductive to the whole purpose of praise and worship cf Jm 1:8.

V9 cf 1 Pet 3:3-5 Plegma Greek for braided, twisted hair is an interesting expression chosen by Paul, which throws greater weight that the Hebrews were of negroid stock, as this is the only race that universally has such a hairstyle amongst their women and men as fashionable, even to this day. In 1 Pet 3:3 emploke is Greek for an elaborate gathering of one's hair into knots. Paul was in my estimation of negroid stock too from the description given of him in Acts 21:38, whereby he was mistaken for an Egyptian, of which we know from indisputable historical archives to be originally black throughout, notwithstanding the fact that they are descendants of Ham.

It is important not to twist this scripture and create doctrines that conflict other passages in the Bible. When read in the context of this missive, it is quite clear that this is an injunction pertaining to prayer. The previous verse has already stipulated that we are to pray with Torah observing, undefiled hands. This verse carries on with the theme of prayer, this being expressed by the expression ‘in like manner’. 

Women partaking of prayer are adjured to be modestly dressed, with aidos/reverence, regard of others translated shamefacedness. They are also to have sophrosune/soundness of mind, sobriety. It is not a sin to wear gold, pearls or costly clothes outside of the congregation of worship, otherwise many a holy person from times past would have been deemed great sinners if it were so cf Gen 24:22,53; Exo 3:21-22;11:2;12:35.

V10 Rather, women are exhorted to major on eminent, honourable behaviour and display of good works, instead of concentrating on exterior presentation, especially in the house of prayer. It is shocking what great filth we find in the churches of today, where women wear very revealing worldly clothes, some wearing mini-skirts without underwear, their skin emblazoned in demonic tattoos, piercings in tongues, noses, lips and other areas that would even give heathen false god worshippers a run for their money, their heads shorn as temple prostitutes of old. 

Even worse are churches filled with men emulating such despicable sin. A fearful reprisal awaits such who in brazenly insult Elohim cf Isa 3:16-26. Good works in scripture are defined as observance of Torah cf Rom 2:13; Jm 1:22-25. These works however are only possible in those justified by faith, which permits the Holy Spirit to reside within us to follow the laws subsequently written in our hearts and minds in spirit and in truth cf Eze 36:26-27.

V11 This is a highly contentious verse in this modern world of feminism dominating society. It was only less than 60 years ago that in most societies, this verse did not raise the ire of women as it does today. The words translated ‘let’ and ‘learn’ in the Greek are the same word manthano which means to be appraised, be increased in knowledge. This injunction made was in order for the natural order of headship of man over woman to not be usurped. Hupotage translated ‘subjection’ is in the sense of obedience. It is not a subjection akin to slavery, as most female protestors to such verses claim, but rather a reverent respect of the divine order. Yeshua exemplified this by wilfully subjecting Himself to the Father cf Eph 5:22-24, 1 Cor 14:34-35. Even the animal kingdom has not been tampered with by dominance of the female over the male.

Unfortunately, the so-called emancipation of women which commenced in the roaring 20s in America, escalated to degeneracy in the 60s and 70s, whereby the hippie culture of drugs, sex, alcohol and rock and roll defiled society beyond return to innocence. The rise of homosexuality, and increased presence of women in positions of leadership have since conditioned the world into accepting female dominion over man in many spheres of life, to the extent of household and church life being tainted by this glorified rejection of the divine order. I will never give in to the shrieks of female headship in the ecclesia nor home, no matter what label is hurled against me. I pray that the faithful few left in the body of Messiah will continue to hold on to truth on this greatly endangered walk of life that we lead in our age.

V12 Paul in Tit 2:3-5 clearly dispels ambiguity regarding the role of women as teachers in the ecclesia. Following on from v11 and the context of v12, it is abundantly clear that women in the ecclesia are not permitted to teach a congregation comprised of men within it. It is already bad enough for a woman to usurp authority of her own husband, but to do so of other women’s husbands in the ecclesia, by teaching in the pulpit, places them in more grave danger against YHVH Elohim’s edicts. However, this does not mean that they may never ever teach, as it is perfectly permissible for a woman to teach scriptural truth to their less knowledgeable female counterparts, especially those younger than them. 

V13-14 Paul goes on to explain the origins of this divine order further expounded on in 1 Cor 11:8-9. The fact that the serpent did not deceive Adam, but Eve, meant Eve was the transgressor. This is an unfortunate fact of life which cannot be reversed, and the curse given her to serve her husband, and suffer pain in childbearing, was divinely ordained and was never to escape womankind cf Gen 3:16. Adam committed a sin by listening to Eve, and eating of the forbidden fruit. No temptation was involved but this did not disqualify him of sinning. Gen 3:17-19 laid down his judgement. Paul also explains that women are more easily tempted than men especially by the angels, but this does not mean men are strong either.

Men walking in the word of Elohim are less likely to be tripped up by the wiles of the devil than women. It is simple reality. Unfortunately, in our current age, men have become effeminate and the homosexual scourge has degraded society to the point where women have almost had no choice but to lead in the churches, which through lack of male headship have died a painful death cf 1 Pet 3:7; 1 Cor 11:10.

V15 This seemingly enigmatic verse immediately makes sense when one realizes that the theme of Adam and Eve has not been dropped by Paul, and this verse is the culmination of his train of thought cf Gen 3:15. Throughout the ages, women walking in faith and love awaited the birth of the Messiah, who was to redeem them and the rest of humanity from the kingdom of Satan. Hence, we were literally sozo/delivered from Satan through the childbirth by womankind.