1 Timothy 2:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

NIV: Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

NASB: Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and dispute.

CSB: Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.

NLT: In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

KJV: I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

NKJV: I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

This verse concludes a section on prayer in Christian worship, which began in verse 1. Paul uses the Greek word oun in this sentence, meaning "therefore," to shift to his conclusion. In other words, the statement being made here is justified by the points Paul has just made.

Just as God desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), Paul desires that "in every place the men should pray." Men, as in males, are specified here by Paul, using the Greek word andras. In some cultures, prayer was often delegated to others, particularly to women. This, of course, is not how prayer is meant to be. Something as crucial as communicating with God is not meant to be passed to other people, or left out of a worship gathering. Paul is countering that cultural trend and specifically telling men to pray.

This does not imply, at all, that women are not to pray, as the next verse will include them, by using the Greek word for "likewise." This follows an important principle of interpretation: telling one group to do something is not, necessarily, an indication that no other group is allowed to do that same thing. In this case, Paul seems to be applying the same general principles to both men and women, but with specific applications given where appropriate.

Lifted hands, as a symbol of worship, is often seen in the Psalms. Psalm 134:2 states, "Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!" Psalm 88:9 says, "Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you."

Paul's reference to avoiding arguments will be used again, later in the letter. A qualification for church leaders called elders—also known as pastors or overseers—was to be "not quarrelsome" (1 Timothy 3:3) Some church leaders in Ephesus may have been bickering during church gatherings. This would lead Paul to specifically mention this as a concern. Prayer during church gatherings is certainly not the time for an argument.

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.