Instructions to Pray for All People

Therefore, I urge first of all that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people, on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, in order that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable before God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time, for which I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am speaking the truth, I am not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and dispute.

Instructions for Women

Likewise also the women should adorn themselves in appropriate clothing, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold jewelry or pearls or expensive clothing, 10 but with good deeds which are fitting for women who profess godliness. 11 A woman must learn in quietness with all submission. 12 But I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet[a]. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve, 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she[b] was deceived, came into transgression. 15 But she will be saved through the bearing of children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 2:12 Literally “to be in quietness”
  2. 1 Timothy 2:14 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was deceived”) which is understood as causal

Godliness in Prayer and Worship

Therefore, first of all I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people— for kings and all who are in authority[a]—so we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and respectfulness. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. He desires all men to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth. [b] For there is one God[c] and there is one Mediator between God and men[d]—a human, Messiah Yeshua, who gave Himself as a ransom for all[e]—the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed a herald and an emissary (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faithfulness and truth.

So I desire all men to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands,[f] without anger and argument. Likewise, women are to adorn themselves in appropriate clothing with modesty and sound judgment—not in seductive hairstyles[g] and gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but what is suitable for women claiming godliness, through good deeds. 11 Let a woman receive training in a quiet demeanor with complete respect for order. 12 But I do not allow a woman to train or dictate to a man, but to be in a quiet demeanor. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. [h] 14 Also Adam was not deceived but the woman—being deceived, she fell into transgression. [i] 15 Nevertheless, she will be sustained through childbearing[j]—if they continue in faithfulness and love and holiness, with sound judgment.