1 Timothy Chapter 2

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 15 Verses

What is 1 Timothy 2 about?

Paul's instructions to Timothy on church leadership, sound doctrine, and conduct in God's household. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men;
2for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity.
3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, [himself] man, Christ Jesus,
6who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony [to be borne] in its own times;
7whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.
9In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;
10but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.
11Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.
12But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve;
14and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression:
15but she shall be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“I exhort therefore, that first of all, etc.] The two principal parts of public worship, being the ministry of the word and prayer; and the apostle having insisted on the former, in the preceding chapter, in which he orders Timothy to charge some that they teach no other doctrine than that of the Gospel, gives an account of his own ministry, and call to it, and of the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to his trust, and stirs up Timothy to the faithful and diligent discharge of his work and office; now proceeds to the latter, to prayer, and exhorts unto it; either Timothy in particular, for so…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“PUBLIC WORSHIP. DIRECTION AS TO INTERCESSIONS FOR ALL MEN, SINCE CHRIST IS A RANSOM FOR ALL. THE DUTIES OF MEN AND WOMEN RESPECTIVELY IN RESPECT TO PUBLIC PRAYER. WOMAN'S SUBJECTION; HER SPHERE OF DUTY. (Ti1 2:1-15) therefore--taking up again the general subject of the Epistle in continuation (Ti2 2:1). "What I have therefore to say to thee by way of a charge (Ti1 1:3, Ti1 1:18), is," &c. that, first of all . . . be made--ALFORD takes it, "I exhort first of all to make." "First of all," doubtless, is to be connected with "I exhort"; what I begin with (for special reasons), is . . . As the destruction of Jerusalem…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“I exhort, therefore - Margin, “desire.” The word exhort, however, better expresses the sense of the original. The exhortation here is not addressed particularly to Timothy, but relates to all who were called to lead in public prayer; 1 Timothy 2:8. This exhortation, it may be observed, is inconsistent with the supposition that a liturgy was then in use, or with the supposition that there ever would be a liturgy - since, in that case, the objects to be prayed for would be prescribed. How singular would it be now for an Episcopal bishop to “exhort” his presbyters to pray “for the President of the United States and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“I exhort therefore - Seeing God is so gracious. In this chapter he gives directions, With regard to public prayers With regard to doctrine. Supplication is here the imploring help in time of need: prayer is any kind of offering up our desires to God. But true prayer is the vehemency of holy zeal, the ardour of divine love, arising from a calm, undisturbed soul, moved upon by the Spirit of God. Intercession is prayer for others. We may likewise give thanks for all men, in the full sense of the word, for that God "willeth all men to be saved," and Christ is the Mediator of all. 1 Timothy 2:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“2:1–3:13 Paul moves to the areas of conduct in God’s household that were affected by the false teachers (3:15). Community life had been corrupted in worship and gender roles (2:1-15) and leadership (3:1-13). 2:1-15 This unit deals first with prayer (2:1-7) and with the deportment of men and women (2:8-10). It closes with the question of women and teaching (2:11-15). 2:1-7 Here, prayer focuses on the church’s mission, which suggests that the false teachers had brought the church into disrepute in the wider society (cp. 3:6-7; 6:1; Titus 2:5) and hampered its mission to the Gentiles. 2:1 all people: The prayers of…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“exhort: or, desire, Co2 8:6; Eph 3:13; Heb 6:11 first: Co1 15:3 supplications: Ti1 5:5; Gen 18:23-32; Kg1 8:41-43; Psa 67:1-4, Psa 72:19; Mat 6:9, Mat 6:10; Jam 5:16 and: Rom 1:8, Rom 6:17; Eph 5:20; Phi 1:3; Th2 1:3 all men: Ti1 2:4; Act 17:30; Th1 3:12; Ti2 2:24; Tit 2:11, Tit 3:2 1 Timothy 2:2”
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