1 Timothy 2
Big idea: With the charge set, Paul turns to the gathered church's first act: prayer — and specifically prayer 'for all men,' including kings. The reason is theological: God 'desires all people to be saved,' and there is one God and one mediator for all. From this universal horizon Paul narrows to order in worship: how men should pray and how women should learn and adorn themselves.
The universal 'all people' of ch. 2 flows from the mercy Paul received in ch. 1. And having described how the assembly gathers, ch. 3 asks the next question: who is fit to lead it?
2:1–7 — Prayer for all, under the one Mediator
First of all, Paul urges prayers of every kind for all people — including kings and authorities — so the church may live quiet, godly lives. This pleases God, who desires all to be saved. The ground is a compact creed: one God, one mediator, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all. To this testimony Paul was appointed a preacher to the Gentiles.
1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time, 7 to 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.
2:8–15 — Order in worship: men and women
Paul wants men everywhere to pray without anger or quarreling, and women to adorn themselves with good works rather than ostentation. He directs that a woman learn quietly and not teach or exercise authority over a man, grounding the instruction in the creation and fall order — Adam formed first, Eve deceived — and closes with a difficult promise about being 'saved through childbearing' as faith, love, and holiness continue.
8 I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting. 9 In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, 10 but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness. 11 Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. 12 But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; 15 but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with sobriety.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).