1 Timothy 2:1 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--

NASB: First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people,

CSB: First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,

NLT: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

KJV: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

NKJV: Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Paul's phrasing here makes a clear shift from one topic to the next. In prior verses, Paul has charged Timothy to defend sound teachings and to avoid the errors of those who teach without actual knowledge. This section begins a direct focus on church-related issues.

Paul's first order of business is prayer. He uses all four main Greek words for prayer here to emphasize his point. Deēseis, proseuchas, enteuxeis, and eucharistias are translated into English as "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings." Each word is distinct in the original Greek language, but those differences are not necessarily the point of Paul's statement. His purpose is to highlight the need for prayer in the church, rather than particular aspects of prayer such as thanksgiving or requests.

According to Paul, these prayers need to be offered for "all." The Greek word anthrōpōn is used here, which includes all humankind, both men and women. The next verse adds further detail regarding whom these "all people" include, and later parts of the passage will explain what God's desire is for them. Paul emphasizes "all" again in both 1 Timothy 2:4 and 6. His words reflect both the teachings of Jesus (John 3:16) and his own letters. In Romans 10:9–11, Paul states "… if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.'"

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.