1 Timothy 2:1

1 Timothy 2:1

I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

a. NLT: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

b. NIV: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

    

c. YLT:      I exhort, then, first of all, there be made supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all men:

d. Amplified Bible Classic: First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men,

e. Worrell Translation: I exhort, therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men.

f. Wuest Translation: I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions be made continually for personal needs, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks on behalf of all men.

1. “I exhort therefore…”

a. I exhort [Strong: 3870 parakaleo par-ak-al-eh'-o from 3844 and 2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.]

b. therefore [Strong: 3767 oun oon apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

1). I remember a minister saying about Scripture passages, that if a verse starts out with the word “therefore”, find out what it’s there for. The reasoning has always proved true. Most Christians are unaware that the strong exhortation for Christians to pray for their leaders does not begin at 1Timothy 2:1, it actually begins in I Timothy 1:18. At the end of Chapter One, Paul has just referred to two individuals, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who have not only made shipwreck of their faith, but also Paul had exercised the authority in prayer of turning these individuals over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

a). 1 Timothy 1:18-20 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2). One of the things I gather from using this principle [that of ‘therefore’], in this context is these men, Hymenaeus and Alexander were Christian leaders in some capacity, and their making shipwreck of their faith ended up with them committing blasphemy. Perhaps this could be linked to what Paul wrote in his second epistle to Timothy about a Hymenaeus. If it is the same person, he continued in his disobedience and caused others to be overthrown in 

their faith.

a). 2 Timothy 2:16-18 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

3). The Apostle Paul also mentions an individual named Alexander, who may also be the Alexander that Paul warned about in his second epistle to Timothy. In this reference there is no association of him with Christianity, only his profession and how he “greatly withstood our words”.

a). 2 Timothy 4:14, 15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

4:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

4). I also get the impression that the tragedy of these men’s lives could have been avoided if more prayer would have been lifted up. A person’s free will is the final determination in all decisions, but prayer going up for an individual will allow God to inject supernatural strength to enable an individual to resist temptation or enable the person to receive the grace of God to recover after they have sinned. I am reminded of what Jesus told Peter before he betrayed him. There is no doubt in my mind that if Jesus had not prayed, that Peter’s ending would not have been so good.

a). Luke 22:31, 32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

2. “…that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”

a. [that] first [Strong: 4412 proton pro'-ton neuter of 4413 as adverb (with or without 3588); firstly (in time, place, order, or importance):--before, at the beginning, chiefly (at, at the) first (of all).]

b. of all [Strong: 3956 pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

c. supplications [Strong: 1162 * deesis] [Zodhiates: Want, need. In the NT, supplication or prayer for particular benefits, petition for oneself.] [Thayer: need, a seeking, asking, entreating…contextually, of prayers imploring God’s aid in some particular matter. In 1 Timothy 2:1 it expresses confident access to God, prominence of the expression of personal need, [and] of childlike confidence.]

d. prayers [Strong: 4335  proseuche pros-yoo-khay' from 4336; prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel):--X pray earnestly, prayer.] [Zodhiates: Prayer.]

e. intercessions [Strong: 1783 enteuxis ent'-yook-sis from an interview, i.e. (specially) supplication:--intercession, prayer. 1783 * enteuxis] [Zodhiates: A falling in with, meeting with, coming together, intercession, prayer, address to God (1 Timothy 2:1; 4:5, prayer according to God’s will).  The verb entugchano means to interpolate with familiarity and freedom of access, to interrupt another in speaking, to come to God boldly.] [Thayer: an interview, a coming together to visit , a conference or conversation.]

1). These words paint an interesting word picture that should encourage us to pray.

d. giving of thanks [Strong: 2169 eucharistia yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah from 2170; gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship):--thankfulness, (giving of) thanks(-giving).] [Zodhiates: Gratitude, thankfulness. In Paul’s writings and in the Book of Revelation, it means thanksgiving, thanks, the expression of gratitude to God.]

1). Ephesians 1:15, 16 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

2). Prayer is such a high privilege to put it mildly we should constantly be giving thanks for the ability to pray.

3). We should as Christians in Covenant with God, implore God’s aid in praying, interceding and thanking God for every individual in authority over us even if they are ungodly. We should pray for them for at least two reasons. First, for their salvation, and secondly to help them make good godly decisions in their ruling over us. If we don’t pray, what chance does an ungodly ruler have of making godly decisions? If we truly believe what the Bible says about prayer, including our authority and the answers to prayer, we must pray for our leaders. If we include in one continuous read 1 Timothy 1:19-1 Timothy 2:1, the impression is that the tragedy of the lives of Hymeneus and Alexander could have been avoided or minimized if more prayer had been offered up on their behalf. Even if the person is a scoundrel we should pray for them because their position is anointed.  Prayer for our leaders will also make all the difference in our spiritual well being.

a). Philippians 4:6, 7 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be known unto God.

4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.