1 Timothy 2:2 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

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

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

NLT: Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

KJV: For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

NKJV: for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

The prior verse encouraged prayers for "all" people. Here, Paul additionally specifies human rulers and authority figures. Paul spoke elsewhere of the importance of submitting to governing authorities (Romans 13), though he himself was often incarcerated for his missionary work. In this verse, his focus is on prayer for kings. Christians in Ephesus likely thought of politicians in the same way we do today. The natural tendency is to complain about governing leaders and see them as enemies rather than to pray for them and seek to help them come to faith in Christ. Paul sought to correct this approach by commanding prayers for governing leaders.

One practical result of praying for governing leaders is the hope of living in peace without persecution. Christians are to seek a peaceful and quiet life, not a boisterous presence known for harassment of governing leaders. Prayer offers a way to do this. Further, a peaceful life (Galatians 5:22–23) allows believers to live in a godly and dignified way. This practice, in contrast with the false teachers Paul mentions throughout 1 Timothy, reveals a key difference between genuine followers of Christ and all others. Prayer for "all people," paired with a godly, dignified or honorable life, stands out in a way that pleases God (1 Timothy 2:3).

First Timothy 2:1–8 provides a perspective on prayer. Christians are not only supposed to pray, but to pray for all people. This even includes kings, rulers, and government officials. The basis for this is that God wants to see such people saved; His love for them is as great as it is for anyone else. The earthly hope of a believer, then, is the ability to live in peace. Preaching one message was Paul's primary service to God: that all men are saved in the same way, which is by faith in Christ. The men of a church, then, should lead prayer with an attitude of cooperation and love.

In this passage, Paul encourages Timothy to lead his church in prayer, including prayers for government and worldly leaders. This flows naturally from the Christian view of humanity, which sees all men as loved by God and in need of the same salvation from sin. A large portion of the chapter is taken by Paul's comments on the role of women in worship services. Rather than focusing on flashy clothes and dramatic behavior, women are to be modest and godly. In addition, women should not take on specific spiritual leadership roles reserved for men.

In chapter 1, Paul charged Timothy to hold fast against false teaching. In chapter 2, Paul begins to lay out the practical steps a church needs to take in order to prevent false doctrine from taking over. This begins with prayer, including prayers for leaders outside the church, so Christians can be left in peace. Paul also explains the separation between the roles of men and women in worship services, which should be read in the context of his comments in chapter 3.

First Timothy is one of Paul's three ''Pastoral Epistles.'' Paul's other letters, such as Romans, Ephesians, and Colossians, are meant for a broader audience. First Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are written to specific people whom Paul is advising on how to best lead their local churches. These three letters present a close look at the form and function of church leadership. First Timothy, like 2 Timothy and Titus, is less formal and systematic, and more personal. This gives great insight into the way pastors, deacons, and elders ought to prioritize their time and energy.