1 Timothy — Chapter 2
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1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
1I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men;
2for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity.
3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, [himself] man, Christ Jesus,
6who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony [to be borne] in its own times;
7whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.
9In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;
10but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.
11Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.
12But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve;
14and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression:
15but she shall be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.
1First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people,
2even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior,
4since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human,
6who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time.
7For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle—I am telling the truth; I am not lying—and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8So I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.
9Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing,
10but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.
11A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness.
12But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.
13For Adam was formed first and then Eve.
14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression.
15But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.
1I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:
2for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
4who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times;
7to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
9In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;
10but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.
11Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission.
12But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience;
15but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.
Summary
Paul instructs on prayer for all people (including kings and authorities), declares there is one God and one Mediator between God and men — Christ Jesus — and gives instructions on the conduct of men and women in worship.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers prayer for all, God's desire for salvation, Christ as sole mediator, and the instructions regarding women in worship.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "One Mediator" on v.5 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1308) "One mediator — not many. Not Mary, not saints, not priests, not angels — one. The man Christ Jesus. He stands between God and men because He is both God and man. He touches both sides. He represents God to man and man to God. No other mediator is needed because no other mediator is qualified. Go directly to Christ — He is your access to the Father." Sermon: "A Ransom for All" on v.6 (MTP Vol. 25, No. 1461) "A ransom for all — the price paid, the captives freed. Christ gave HIMSELF — not gold, not angels, not creation — Himself. And for ALL — the scope is universal, the offer is genuine, the invitation is open. None are excluded from the offer; only those who refuse are excluded from the benefit."
Videos
The Bible Project — 1 Timothy Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "Supplications, prayers, intercessions... for all men" (v.1). How broad is your prayer life? Do you pray for leaders, for all people, for those outside your circle? Or is prayer mostly about your own needs?
- 2. "There is one God, and one mediator" (v.5). Do you go directly to Christ in prayer, or do you feel you need other intermediaries? Christ is your access — use it boldly.
- 3. "Who gave himself a ransom for all" (v.6). The ransom is paid. The offer is universal. Are you sharing this good news with others? Who needs to hear that Christ died for them?
- 4. "Lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (v.8). What hinders your prayer life — unresolved anger? Doubt? Unholiness? What needs to be addressed before you can pray effectively?
- 5. How do you understand the relationship between inner character and outward appearance (vv.9-10)? Is your "adornment" primarily external or internal? What does "good works" as adornment look like?