1 Timothy 2:1-13

1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made for all men;

2 for kings and all that are in dignity, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and gravity;

3 for this is good and acceptable before our Saviour God,

4 who desires that all men should be saved and come to [the] knowledge of [the] truth.

5 For God is one, and [the] mediator of God and men one, [the] man Christ Jesus,

6 who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony [to be rendered] in its own times;

7 to which *I* have been appointed a herald and apostle, (I speak [the] truth, I do not lie,) a teacher of [the] nations in faith and truth.

8 I will therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up pious hands, without wrath or reasoning.

9 In like manner also that the women in decent deportment and dress adorn themselves with modesty and discretion, not with plaited [hair] and gold, or pearls, or costly clothing,

10 but, what becomes women making profession of the fear of God, by good works.

11 Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection;

12 but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness;

13 for Adam was formed first, then Eve:

1 Timothy 2:1-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 2

In this chapter the apostle exhorts to prayer for all sorts of men, gives rules and directions about the dress of women, and their subjection to their husbands; and concludes with some comfort to them. The apostle exhorts to prayer in the first place, directs to the several parts and branches of prayer, and points to the persons to be prayed for, and what should be prayed for on their account, 1Ti 2:1,2. And next follow the reasons or arguments engaging to it, which are taken from the agreeableness of it in the sight of God; from the will of God, that all men should be saved: from there being but one God of all, and one Mediator between God and men; from Christ's giving himself a ransom price for all; and from the apostle being a preacher of the Gospel to the Gentiles, as well as Jews, 1Ti 2:3-7 wherefore he concludes and determines, according to his apostolical power and authority, that prayer be made in any place, provided there were faith and purity, and wrath and doubting were laid aside, 1Ti 2:8. Also, he exhorts women to appear, especially in public service, in a modest and becoming dress, and to adorn themselves with good works, 1Ti 2:9,10, and that they should be silent learners, and not teachers, and be in subjection to their husbands, 1Ti 2:11,12. The reasons of which subjection are taken from the formation of Adam before Eve, and from Eve's being deceived, and not Adam, 1Ti 2:13,14. However, for the comfort of women, it is observed, that though in sorrow they bring forth children, yet through the birth of a Son, the promised Messiah, they shall be saved, who continue in faith, charity, and holiness, with sobriety, 1Ti 2:15.

Footnotes

• [a]. Personal and confiding intercourse with God on the part of one able to approach him, as Rom. 8.27,34; Heb. 7.25.
• [b]. Epignosis, as Col. 1.10, where it is translated 'true knowledge.' It is that which acknowledges the truth of a thing, and to know the truth thus suggests possession of it. But 'full knowledge' here would hardly be an appropriate translation, as it would imply a contrast with 'partial knowledge.'
• [c]. Or 'there is one God and one mediator.'
• [d]. Antilutron huper: a ransom in place of.
• [e]. Or 'preacher,' as 2Tim. 1.11; 2Pet. 2.5.
• [f]. i.e. men in contrast to women.
• [g]. Hosios, as 'holy,' Heb. 7.26.
• [h]. The whole deportment; the way in which the woman presents herself, of which dress is a sign.
• [i]. i.e. 'sobriety' or with 'sound mind;' so ver. 15, as Rom. 12.3; 2Tim. 1.7.
• [j]. Or 'a man.' It is in contrast with women, as in ver. 8.