Dear Pilgrim, But was Paul saying for us to pray for all mankind? He could just as easily said "pray for some of mankind" could he not?
I don't see how the teacher you speak of relates to what Paul was saying. The "all" of the teacher's demand is the "all" of the classroom. The "all" of Paul's request is the "all" of mankind. Now if the teacher said: "All mankind has a brain, even kings and those in authority," we know she might be fibbing a little since not all who are in authority have brains...do they? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> But really, Paul may have been addressing a class (church) but we know he was not telling everyone in that class to just pray for everyone in that class. Otherwise he could have just said to pray for each other and for those in authority in your churches, right?
So where Paul wrote to the believers this:
Quote
2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all humans; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority;"
I really believe he means "all mankind" and not just "all believers" to whom he is addressing such as you might think in your illustration of the teacher and the classroom.
Now I realize there are instances of where "all" is used in a restrictive sense. But there are instances where "all" is used in an absolute sense such as in Romans 5:12,18,19. But I don't see how one can limit the "all" here that we are to pray for.
Anyway, why not pray for all mankind so that "we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty"?
Does it make sense that Paul would say "Pray for just some of mankind, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life..."?
Just some thoughts to toss around. It is nice here fellowshipping with you folks by the way.
