![]() This peace and quiet is not an ultimate end but a penultimate one. The term translated “peaceful” means quiet and tranquil, “untroubled from without.” 3 Thus such prayer would ask for governing authorities to conduct themselves in a way that keeps Christian churches safe from mistreatment-the kind of suffering and persecution that tempts believers to be unfaithful to Christ. We must pray so “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” ![]() ![]() 2 Paul directs Christians to pray for these rulers because kings and governors are empowered to enact laws and policies that either protect Christians or make them a target for unjust treatment. “Kings” can include the emperors but may also refer to Roman client kings. Paul specifies one type of people for whom he wants Timothy and his congregation to pray: “kings and all who are in high positions.” This phrase refers to the governing authorities in their Roman imperial context. But they must also pray for “all people,” which probably means all kinds of people, in light of the delineation that follows in 1 Tim. For them, the church ought to pray that God might grant them repentance (2 Tim. Paul tells Timothy not only that the congregation needs to pray he also tells him for whom they should pray: “for all people.” Included in the “all people” would be those spreading error within the church. He probably does not intend to give a precise delineation of different types of prayer but rather means simply to say that the church needs to offer all kinds of prayers for all people, and the type of prayer required will often be dictated by the need of the moment. Paul mentions four different types of prayers: supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings. With contributions from a team of pastors and scholars, this commentary through 9 of Paul’s letters helps students of the Bible to understand how each epistle fits in with the storyline of Scripture and applies today. 2:1).” Thus Paul views prayer as one of the ways in which the church combats false teaching. 1:18), you therefore need to pray (1 Tim. The word “then” simply means “therefore” and resumes the thought begun in 1:18: “Because I am entrusting you with the pastoral duty to oppose false teachers (1 Tim. Paul urges Timothy to lead the church to pray “first of all”-Paul wishes to give this exhortation first because of its great importance. 7For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. ![]() 5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Listen to the Passage Read the PassageġFirst of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This article is part of the Tough Passages series. ![]()
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