1 Timothy 2
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instructions on Prayer
2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority,(A) so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness(B) and dignity.(C) 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,(D) 4 who wants everyone(E) to be saved(F) and to come to the knowledge of the truth.(G)
5 For there is one God(H)
and one mediator(I) between God and humanity,
Christ Jesus, Himself human,(J)
6 who gave Himself—a ransom for all,(K)
a testimony at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle(L) (I am telling the truth;[a] I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles(M) in faith and truth.
Instructions to Men and Women
8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.(N) 9 Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing,(O) with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold,(P) pearls, or expensive apparel, 10 but with good works,(Q) as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God. 11 A woman should learn in silence with full submission.(R) 12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to be silent. 13 For Adam was created first, then Eve.(S) 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.(T) 15 But she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues[b] in faith, love, and holiness,(U) with good judgment.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 2:7 Other mss add in Christ
- 1 Timothy 2:15 Lit if they continue
1 Timothy 2
Modern English Version
Instructions Concerning Prayer
2 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, 2 for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty, 3 for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all. This was the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ and do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or contentiousness. 9 In like manner also, that women clothe themselves in modest clothing, with decency and self-control, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, 10 but with good works, which is proper for women professing godliness.
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all obedience. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to usurp authority over a man, but to be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, fell into sin. 15 Yet she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
1 Timothy 2
The Message
Simple Faith and Plain Truth
2 1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.
4-7 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.
8-10 Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.
11-15 I don’t let women take over and tell the men what to do. They should study to be quiet and obedient along with everyone else. Adam was made first, then Eve; woman was deceived first—our pioneer in sin!—with Adam right on her heels. On the other hand, her childbearing brought about salvation, reversing Eve. But this salvation only comes to those who continue in faith, love, and holiness, gathering it all into maturity. You can depend on this.
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The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson