1 Timothy 2:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

NIV: who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

NASB: who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

CSB: who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

NLT: He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

KJV: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

NKJV: who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

Ransom, in this context, is the idea of a payment, something commonly mentioned in the Law (Exodus 21:30; 30:12; Leviticus 19:20; 27:29; Numbers 35:31–32). Jesus personally explained His role using this concept, saying "… the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). The prior verse pointed out that Jesus Christ is the one and only mediator—or reconciler—between God and men. This verse explains that Christ serves this purpose by becoming the payment for our sins.

Paul also uses an interesting reference to timing and testimony. This difficult-to-translate transition most likely refers to Christ's death as a testimony of God's character and His desire for the salvation of men. This was explicitly mentioned in 1 Timothy 2:4. The Greek word translated "testimony" is martyrion, which can also be translated as "witness, or to reveal." Some commentators also see a connection between the "testimony" of the Ten Commandments and Jesus as the "testimony" of the new covenant (Exodus 25:16). This would again emphasize Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17). The phrase "the proper time" simply refers to the coming of Jesus to earth and His sacrifice on the cross at the "right" time.

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.