1 Timothy 2:8

1 Timothy 2:8

I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

a. NLT: In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

b. NIV: Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

    

c. YLT: I wish, therefore, that men pray in every place, lifting up kind hands, apart from anger and reasoning;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands.

e. Worrell Translation: I desire, therefore, that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing;

f. Wuest Translation: I desire, therefore, that the men [definite article before “men” and distinctive word for a male individual designating the man as leader and in authority in the church] be praying in every place, lifting up holy hands without anger or skeptical criticism.

1. “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands…”

a. I will [Strong: 1014 boulomai boo'-lom-ahee middle voice of a primary verb; to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing:--be disposed, minded, intend, list, (be, of own) will (-ing).]

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.]

c. [that] men [Strong: 435 aner an'-ayr a primary word (compare 444); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.]

d. pray [Strong: 4336 proseuchomai pros-yoo'-khom-ahee from 4314 and 2172; to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship:--pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.]

e. every [Made up of two Greek compounds]

1). [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

2). [3956 [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.]

f. where [Strong: 5117 topos top'-os apparently a primary word; a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas 5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e. location (as a position, home, tract, etc.); figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard:--coast, licence, place, X plain, quarter, + rock, room, where.]

g. lifting up [Strong: 1869 epairo ep-ahee'-ro from 1909 and 142; to raise up (literally or figuratively):--exalt self, poise (lift, take) up.]

h. holy [Strong: 3741 hosios hos'-ee-os of uncertain affinity; properly, right (by intrinsic or divine character; thus distinguished from 1342, which refers rather to human statutes and relations; from 2413, which denotes formal consecration; and from 40, which relates to purity from defilement), i.e. hallowed (pious, sacred, sure):--holy, mercy, shalt be.]

i. hands [Strong: 5495 cheir khire perhaps from the base of 5494 in the sense of its congener the base of 5490 (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument):--hand.]

1). The Scriptures say we can bless God by lifting up our hands to him. Praise God that he has ordained in his grace and mercy that we can bless him by such a simple and pure act from the heart in lifting up our hands to him.

a). Psalm 63:4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

b). Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

2). What is the evening sacrifice? The Book of Exodus gives us some explanation.

a). Exodus 29:38-43 Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

29:39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:

29:40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fouth part of an him of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine fro a drink offering.

29:41 And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savor, and offering made by fire unto the LORD.

29:41 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

29:42 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.

b). One of the greatest highlights of the Bible, the calling of fire down from heaven during the confrontation with the false prophets of Baal, took place at the time of the evening sacrifice (1 Kings 18:17-40). Remember, the writer of Psalm 141: 2 said that the lifting up of our hands to God was equivalent to the evening sacrifice, which puts in perspective Paul telling us to pray, lifting up holy hands!

2. “…without wrath or doubting.”

a. without [Strong: 5565 choris kho-rece' adverb from 5561; at a space, i.e. separately or apart from (often as preposition):--beside, by itself, without.]

b. wrath [Strong: 3709 orge or-gay' from 3713; properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment:--anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.] [Zodhiates: Wrath, anger as a state of mind.]

c. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. doubting [Strong: 1261 * dialogismos] [Zodhiates: Thoughts and directions, in 1 Timothy 2:8, in the sense of dispute, debate, contention.]

1). We need to realize that the lifting up of our hands to God is equivalent to the evening sacrifice of the Mosaic Covenant. Praise God! And we can do it any time we want, it does not have to be in the evening. We need to realize that when we do, things happen in the spirit! When we lift our hands in prayer toward the God of heaven in faith without anger or doubt, it will bless Almighty God! We also need to realize the context of this verse is praying for our leaders. The reason I believe that we don’t see the results that Paul was writing about is there is too much wrath and doubt in us concerning our leaders. I admit I have been one of the worst, but this needs to change. The wrath we feel toward our government leaders, no matter how justified we believe we are, does not work the righteous of God.

a). James 1:19, 20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath

1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

2). Perhaps the greatest Biblical example in this is Daniel. He along with most of the upper class Jews were forcible removed from Israel by Nebuchadnezzar. He was then castrated by the Babylonians, and threatened to be killed by Nebuchadnezzar. Because God gave Daniel the dream and the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream , Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel to be the chief wise man and placed Daniel’s three friends over the affairs of the state of Babylon. In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar tried to kill Daniel’s three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego because of their refusal to bow down to the image that Nebuchadnezzar had made. In Daniel 4 we have another dream of Nebuchadnezzar and a judgment from God fell upon him because of his pride. Now if anyone had reason to hate Nebuchadnezzar, it would be Daniel, but notice if you will Daniel’s reaction to the dream Nebuchadnezzar shared with him.

a). Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

(1)  Instead of gloating on the inside and thinking, “Now you’re going to get what’s coming to you, you devil!” Daniel was shocked and deeply concerned and said, “My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.” His concern for Nebuchadnezzar life was not shallow. I want you to think for a minute that Nebuchadnezzar’s throne was kept secure for the entire seven years of his insanity. It would have been very easy to just kill him in that condition and someone else take the throne. But it did not happen. After the seven years were passed his sanity was restored to him as well as his kingdom. I am fully persuaded that it was because of Daniel that Nebuchadnezzar’s throne was secure and eventually restored to him.

b). Daniel 4:34-37  And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

4:36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

c). Personally I believe he is in heaven.