1 Timothy
Chapter 2
On Prayer
Firstly, I ask that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,
including rulers of states and all in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in godliness and respect.
This is good and pleases God our savior,
who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, who is human himself,
and who gave his life to redeem everyone. This is the testimony, given at the right time,
and God has appointed me as an apostle and messenger of this message. I am telling the truth and not lying: He made me teacher of the Gentiles in matters of faith and truth.
On the Behavior of Men and Women
I want the men everywhere to lift pure hands in prayer to heaven, without anger or disagreement.
Let women dress simply and modestly, not with fancy hairstyles, gold, jewelry, and expensive clothes,
but with good deeds, as is appropriate for women serving God.
Let a woman quietly receive instruction and remain submissive.
Do not permit any woman to teach or have authority over men. Let them remain silent.
For Adam was created first, and then Eve.
Adam was not deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and fell into sin.
But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.
Commentaries
On Prayer.
Another concern of the pastoral letters is to establish specific rules for the organization and proper functioning of communities. Among the community’s duties, prayer takes the lead. It is interesting to learn, from the letter’s author’s advice, how much, how, and for whom those Christians prayed. The first thing that stands out is the spontaneity and charismatic intensity of their prayer: “petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” (1). Second, its missionary and universal character: “for all people” (1), so that “all men may be saved and come to know the truth” (4), for this saving will of God embraces everyone, pagans and Christians alike, in the one mediator of salvation, “Christ Jesus, who is also a man” (5).
On the Behavior of Men and Women.
The author of the letter initially focuses on prayer assemblies; later, it broadens to more general topics. The notable level of equality between men and women that once existed in the liturgical gatherings of the churches founded by Paul did not last long, unfortunately.