1 Timothy 2:1-8

Pray for All People

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

2 ¹for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and ²dignified in every way.

3 This is good, and ³it is pleasing in the sight of ⁴God our Savior,

4 who desires ⁵all people to be saved and ⁶to come to ⁷the knowledge of the truth.

5 For ⁸there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man^[a] Christ Jesus,

6 ⁹who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is ¹⁰the testimony given ¹¹at the proper time.

7 ¹²For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (¹³I am telling the truth, I am not lying), ¹⁴a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 I desire then that ¹⁵in every place the men should pray, ¹⁶lifting ¹⁷holy hands without anger or quarreling;

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. Ezra 6:10
• 2. 1 Timothy 3:4
• 3. 1 Timothy 5:4
• 4. 1 Timothy 1:1
• 5. 1 Timothy 4:10; Ezekiel 18:23, 32
• 6. 2 Timothy 3:7
• 7. 2 Timothy 2:25; Titus 1:1; Hebrews 10:26
• 8. See Galatians 3:20
• 9. See Matthew 20:28
• 10. See 1 Corinthians 1:6
• 11. 1 Timothy 6:15; Titus 1:3; [Galatians 4:4]
• 12. 1 Timothy 1:11; Ephesians 3:7, 8; 2 Timothy 1:11
• 13. See Romans 9:1
• 14. See Acts 9:15
• 15. [John 4:21]
• 16. Psalms 63:4; Psalms 119:48; [Isaiah 1:15]
• 17. Job 17:9; Psalms 24:4

Footnotes

• [a]. men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4