USB ~ 1 Timothy 2

Prayer and Conduct.

1 † First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, a

2 for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.

3 This is good and pleasing to God our savior, b

4 who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. c

5 For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, d

6 who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony† at the proper time. e

7 For this I was appointed preacher and apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. f

8 † It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

9 Similarly, too, women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, g

10 but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds. h

11 A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. i

12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man.† She must be quiet.

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. j

14 Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. k

15 But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. l

Footnotes

†. 2:1-7 This marked insistence that the liturgical prayer of the community concern itself with the needs of all, whether Christian or not, and especially of those in authority, may imply that a disposition existed at Ephesus to refuse prayer for pagans. In actuality, such prayer aids the community to achieve peaceful relationships with non-Christians (1 Tm 2:2) and contributes to salvation, since it derives its value from the presence within the community of Christ, who is the one and only savior of all (1 Tm 2:3-6). The vital apostolic mission to the Gentiles (1 Tm 2:7) reflects Christ’s purpose of universal salvation. 1 Tm 2:5 contains what may well have been a very primitive creed. Some interpreters have called it a Christian version of the Jewish shema: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD alone…” (Dt 6:4-5). The assertion in 1 Tm 2:7, “I am speaking the truth, I am not lying,” reminds one of similar affirmations in Rom 9:1; 2 Cor 11:31; and Gal 1:20.

†. 2:6 The testimony: to make sense of this overly concise phrase, many manuscripts supply “to which” (or “to whom”); two others add “was given.” The translation has supplied “this was.”

†. 2:8-15 The prayer of the community should be unmarred by internal dissension (1 Tm 2:8); cf. Mt 5:21-26; 6:14; Mk 11:25. At the liturgical assembly the dress of women should be appropriate to the occasion (2 Tm 2:9); their chief adornment is to be reputation for good works (2 Tm 2:10). Women are not to take part in the charismatic activity of the assembly (1 Tm 2:11-12; cf. 1 Cor 14:34) or exercise authority; their conduct there should reflect the role of man’s helpmate (1 Tm 2:13; cf. Gn 2:18) and not the later relationship of Eve to Adam (1 Tm 2:14; cf. Gn 3:6-7). As long as women perform their role as wives and mothers in faith and love, their salvation is assured (2 Tm 2:15).

†. 2:12 A man: this could also mean “her husband.”

2:1 Eph 6:18; Phil 4:6.
2:3 1:1; 4:10.
2:4 2 Tm 3:7; 2 Pt 3:9.
2:5 1 Cor 8:6; Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24 / Rom 5:15.
2:6 Mk 10:45; Gal 1:4; 2:20; Eph 5:25; Ti 2:14.
2:7 Acts 9:15; 1 Cor 9:1; Gal 2:7-8.
2:9 1 Pt 3:3-5.
2:10 5:10; 1 Pt 3:1.
2:11-12 1 Cor 14:34-35.
2:13 Gn 1:27; 2:7, 22; 1 Cor 11:8-9.
2:14 Gn 3:6, 13; 2 Cor 11:3.
2:15 5:14.