1 Timothy Chapter 2
Showing all 15 verses for 1 Timothy Chapter 2.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; "
"So first of all, Paul urges that requests, prayers, pleas on behalf of others, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone."
I taught you to pray even for those outside your own circle, even for people who might oppose you. Widen your concern in prayer beyond the people who are easy to love.
"For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. "
"Pray specifically for kings and everyone in positions of authority, so that believers can live a calm, peaceful life marked by godliness and honesty."
Even when those in power act unjustly, hold onto your own peace and integrity rather than letting resentment consume you. Praying for leaders keeps your heart from becoming what you're fighting against.
"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; "
"This kind of praying is good and pleases God, who is our Saviour."
What pleases God and what's actually good for people are never at odds. When you're unsure if something is worth doing, ask whether it's genuinely good for others — that's usually your answer.
"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. "
"God wants everyone to be saved and to come to understand the truth."
My reach was never meant to stop at any border, tribe, or category of person. If I care this widely, your compassion and prayers shouldn't be narrower than mine.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; "
"There's only one God, and only one go-between connecting God and humanity — the man Jesus Christ."
I didn't stand at a distance from humanity issuing instructions. I became one of you, so that the bridge between you and God would be built from your own side too, not just handed down from above.
"Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. "
"Jesus gave his own life as a ransom to free everyone — and this truth would be made known at just the right moment."
I didn't hold anything back for myself, including my own life, because your freedom was worth it to me. That's the measure of how much you matter.
"Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. "
"For this very purpose, Paul says, he was appointed as a preacher and an apostle — he insists he's telling the truth, not lying — specifically as a teacher to non-Jewish people, grounded in faith and truth."
When your calling gets questioned, you don't need to be defensive, just honest and consistent. Let your life back up your words over time.
"I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. "
"So Paul wants men everywhere to pray, lifting up hands that are free from wrongdoing, without anger or arguing."
I told you that if you're bringing a gift to the altar and remember someone has something against you, go make peace first. Prayer and unresolved anger don't mix — deal with one before the other.
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; "
"In the same way, Paul wants women to dress modestly and sensibly, not with elaborate braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing."
I never measured anyone by what they wore or owned, only by the state of their heart. Don't let outward display, whatever form it takes today, become a stand-in for genuine character.
"But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. "
"Instead, Paul says, women who claim to follow God should be known for good deeds — that's what truly suits them."
What makes you beautiful in my eyes is what you do for the people around you, not what you're wearing or how much it cost. Let your kindness be what people remember.
"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. "
"Paul instructs that a woman should learn quietly, in a spirit of submission."
I welcomed women as students of my teaching in a culture that often didn't — remember Mary sitting at my feet, which I defended as the better choice. Whatever else this passage means for its own time, don't let it hide that women learning and growing in understanding was always something I encouraged.
"But I not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"Paul says he does not allow a woman to teach or to take authority over a man in this setting — she should remain quiet."
I valued the substance of a person's contribution over the category society tried to put them in. Whatever you conclude this verse means for church practice, don't let it become a licence for looking down on anyone.
"For Adam was first formed, then Eve. "
"Paul gives his reasoning: Adam was created first, then Eve."
Creation order was never meant to be about who mattered more — man and woman were both made in God's image, together, as Genesis itself says. Whatever this verse means for church roles, it was never a licence for one person to consider themselves worth more than another.
"And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. "
"Paul adds that Adam wasn't the one deceived — it was Eve who was deceived and fell into wrongdoing."
Being deceived isn't the same as being lesser — it's a warning for everyone, since I know how easily anyone can be led astray by a convincing lie. Guard your own understanding carefully, and never assume you're immune to being fooled.
"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and and holiness with sobriety. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"Even so, Paul says, she will be kept safe through childbearing, provided she continues in faith, love, holiness, and self-control."
Whatever the precise sense of this hard verse, don't miss its ending: faith, love, holiness, and steadiness are what I'm actually looking for in anyone's life, whatever their role or circumstance turns out to be.