1 Timothy 2:1-8

A Call to Prayer

1 First of all, then, I urge that ¹entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,

2 ²for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of ³God our Savior,

4 ⁴who desires all men to be ⁵saved and to ⁶come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is ⁷one God, and ⁸one mediator also between God and men, the ⁹man Christ Jesus,

6 who ¹⁰gave Himself as a ransom for all, the ¹¹testimony given at ¹²the proper time.

7 ¹³For this I was appointed a preacher and ¹⁴an apostle (¹⁵I am telling the truth, I am not lying ) as a teacher of ¹⁶the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 Therefore ¹⁷I want the men ¹⁸in every place to pray, ¹⁹lifting up ²⁰holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

1 Timothy 2:1-8 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.

Cross References

• 1. Ephesians 6:18
• 2. Ezra 6:10; Romans 13:1
• 3. Luke 1:47; 1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Timothy 4:10
• 4. Ezekiel 18:23, 32; John 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9
• 5. Romans 11:14
• 6. 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Timothy 3:7; Titus 1:1; Hebrews 10:26
• 7. Romans 3:30; Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 8:4
• 8. 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 3:20
• 9. Matthew 1:1; Romans 1:3
• 10. Matthew 20:28; Galatians 1:4
• 11. 1 Corinthians 1:6
• 12. Mark 1:15; Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:15; Titus 1:3
• 13. Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:11
• 14. 1 Corinthians 9:1
• 15. Romans 9:1
• 16. Acts 9:15
• 17. Philippians 1:12; 1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 3:8
• 18. John 4:21; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:8
• 19. Psalms 63:4; Luke 24:50
• 20. Psalms 24:4; James 4:8

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "a high position"
• [b]. Or "seriousness"
• [c]. Or "recognition"
• [d]. Or to be given
• [e]. Lit "its own times"
• [f]. Or "herald"