Read & explore together
A Call to Prayer
This passage urges those addressed to pray broadly and thoughtfully. Prayer here includes requests, intercessions and thanksgiving, and it is connected with God’s saving purpose, Christ Jesus’ unique role, and a tranquil, godly life.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage is a direct call to prayer. It names several kinds of prayer, includes kings and others in high places, explains why such prayer is good before God our Saviour, and centres that practice on the one God and the one mediator, Christ Jesus. The writer also mentions an appointed teaching role and ends with an instruction about prayer.
1 Timothy 2:1–8Main takeaway
This passage teaches that people should pray for all, including rulers, because God’s saving purpose is centred in the one mediator, Christ Jesus.
Explore the prayer
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Prayers for all peopleThe passage begins with urgency: “first of all” petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings are to be made for all people.
Explanation
The passage begins with urgency: “first of all” petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings are to be made for all people. This shows a wide view of prayer. It includes asking, speaking to God on behalf of others, and giving thanks. The instruction is not narrow or limited to one group.
02Praying for rulers and peaceful livesA specific group is then named: kings and all who are in high places. The stated purpose is “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence”.
Explanation
A specific group is then named: kings and all who are in high places. The stated purpose is “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence”. The focus stays on prayer and on the kind of life that follows, described with calmness, godliness and reverence.
03Why this prayer is good before GodThe passage says this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. It then says God desires all people to be saved and to come to full knowledge of the truth.
Explanation
The passage says this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. It then says God desires all people to be saved and to come to full knowledge of the truth. Prayer for all people matches this wide statement about salvation and truth.
04One God and one mediatorThe reason given is clear: there is one God and one mediator between God and people, the man Christ Jesus.
Explanation
The reason given is clear: there is one God and one mediator between God and people, the man Christ Jesus. The passage adds that he gave himself as a ransom for all. These verses explain why the prayer instruction speaks so broadly about all people.
05Prayer with holy handsThe writer briefly mentions being appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Explanation
The writer briefly mentions being appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Then the instruction returns to prayer: men in every place are to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting. Prayer is linked here with holiness, peace and trust.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What different kinds of prayer are named, and what does that show about how broad prayer can be?
Look at the four terms in verse 1 and notice that thanksgiving is included with petitions and intercessions.
02Why are kings and those in high places specifically mentioned?
Use the purpose given in verse 2 and note the connection to a tranquil, quiet, godly and reverent life.
03How do verses 5 and 6 support the call to pray for all people?
Notice the repeated idea of “one” in verse 5 and the statement that Christ Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all in verse 6.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Timothy 2:1–8
1I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men,
2for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time,
7to 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.
8I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.