1 Timothy 2:1

“First of all”: First, that is before anything else is done. “In the first place, above all, especially” (Arndt p. 726). “My first request (first in importance)” (Robertson p. 567).

Public or Private Prayer?

Even though much of the teachings in this section would apply to both public prayers and private devotions, it would appear that the primarily application was the public worship of the church.

1. It appears that this section extends to chapter 1 Timothy 3:15, which is talking about how. person is to behave himself or herself in the church that is God's household.

2. What is written in 1 Timothy 2:9-12 seems to fit. public circumstance better than. private devotion.

3. The reference to kings and rulers may refer to an old controversy among Jews about prayers in public worship for heathen rulers.

4. The submissiveness in 1 Timothy 2:11 in this section does not merely apply to. husband, but to other men as well.

1 Timothy 2:1 “I urge that”: “The apostle employs four words to indicate the different elements in prayer” (Hiebert p. 50).

1 Timothy 2:1 “Entreaties”: “Primarily. wanting, need, then an asking” (Vine p. 200). “Coming from. verb meaning ‘to lack', it signifies prayer which springs from. sense of need.. conscious sense of need is essential to all effective praying” (Hiebert p. 50).

1 Timothy 2:1 “Prayers”: The general term for prayer. “It is always restricted to prayers directed toward Deity” (Kent p. 100).

1 Timothy 2:1 “Petitions”: “The verb signifies to fall in with. person; to draw near so as to converse familiarly” (Vincent p. 216). “Free familiar prayer, such as boldly draws near to God” (N.T. Syn. Trench p. 190). “The word picture is that of coming to. king and appealing to the king's favorable response to whatever request is made” (Reese p. 45). “A life lived in fellowship with God gives confidence in prayer” (Hiebert p. 50).

1 Timothy 2:1 “And thanksgivings”: The three previous words indicate various aspects of prayer, this word includes that but also emphasizes the spirit in which prayer needs to be offered. “It is the spirit of gratitude for blessings already received and those yet to be received. It is the complement of all true prayer” (Hiebert p. 50). “Trench gives us the thought that thanksgiving will persist even in Heaven (Revelation 4:9; Revelation 7:12), when all the other forms of prayer have ceased because of the fruition of things prayed for” (Reese p. 45). “Prayer does not mean only asking God for things; prayer also means thanking God for things. For too many of us prayer is an exercise in complaint” (Barclay p. 67).

1 Timothy 2:1 “Be made”: The tense here is present, this is to be. habitual practice. “On behalf of all men”: This certainly was. contrast between the Jewish attitude toward Gentiles which led to. refusal on the part of the Jews to pray for Gentiles or for government officials who were Gentiles. 1. All men are sinners and need our prayers, for God desires that all would repent (Romans 3:23; 2 Peter 3:9). “If such praying were useless, the apostle would not write here what he does write” (Lenski). Note, such prayers do not automatically save them,. person must still repent and be baptized, but such prayers do accomplish something, such as giving them another day to repent or giving them. favorable opportunity in which to hear the gospel. Such prayers include praying for our enemies (Matthew 5:44), for the peace of the country or city in which we live (Jeremiah 2:7), and for those in positions of authority (1 Timothy 2:2).

Do we realize the importance of our prayers? Who would pray for sinners if Christians did not? Only Christians can boldly approach God (Hebrews 4:14). “If this command is carried out, no man is left unprayed for. We cannot pray too widely” (Kent p. 101). When is the last time that we really took this command seriously? When was the last time that we prayed specifically for our neighbors, coworkers, and others? Everyone needs our prayers, from those in positions of leadership and power, to the person living hand to mouth.