Exegetical Notes: 1 Timothy 2

Editor's Note: The following commentary is taken from Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. For more from this resource and others please visit Christianity.com's Bible Study Tools "References" section.

1. therefore--taking up again the general subject of the Epistle in continuation ( 2 Timothy 2:1 ). "What I have therefore to say to thee by way of a charge ( 1 Timothy 1:3 1 Timothy 1:18 ), is," &c.
that, first of all . . . be made--ALFORD takes it, "I exhort first of all to make." "First of all," doubtless, is to be connected with "I exhort"; what I begin with (for special reasons), is . . . As the destruction of Jerusalem drew near, the Jews (including those at Ephesus) were seized with the dream of freedom from every yoke; and so virtually "'blasphemed" (compare 1 Timothy 1:20 ) God's name by "speaking evil of dignities" ( 1 Timothy 6:1 , 2 Peter 2:10 , Jude 1:8 ). Hence Paul, in opposition, gives prominence to the injunction that prayer be made for all men, especially for magistrates and kings ( Titus 3:1-3 ) [OLSHAUSEN]. Some professing Christians looked down on all not Christians, as doomed to perdition; but Paul says all men are to be prayed for, as Christ died for all ( 1 Timothy 2:4-6 ).
supplications--a term implying the suppliant's sense of need, and of his own insufficiency.
prayers--implying devotion.
intercessions--properly the coming near to God with childlike confidence, generally in behalf of another. The accumulation of terms implies prayer in its every form and aspect. according to all the relations implied in it.

2. For kings--an effectual confutation of the adversaries who accused the Christians of disaffection to the ruling powers ( Acts 17:7 , Romans 13:1-7 ).
all . . . in authority--literally, "in eminence"; in stations of eminence. The "quiet" of Christians was often more dependent on subordinate rulers, than on the supreme king; hence, "all . . . in authority" are to be prayed for.
that we may lead--that we may be blessed with such good government as to lead . . . ; or rather, as Greek, "to pass" or "spend." The prayers of Christians for the government bring down from heaven peace and order in a state.
quiet--not troubled from without.
peaceable--"tranquil"; not troubled from within [OLSHAUSEN]. "He is peaceable (Greek) who makes no disturbance; he is quiet (Greek) who is himself free from disturbance" [TITTMANN].
in all godliness--"in all (possible . . . requisite) piety" [ALFORD]. A distinct Greek word, 1 Timothy 2:10 , expresses "godliness."
honesty--Greek, "gravity" ( Titus 2:2 Titus 2:7 ), "decorum," or propriety of conduct. As "piety" is in relation to God, "gravity" is propriety of behavior among men. In the Old Testament the Jews were commanded to pray for their heathen rulers ( Ezra 6:10 , Jeremiah 29:7 ). The Jews, by Augustus' order, offered a lamb daily for the Roman emperor, till near the destruction of Jerusalem. The Jewish Zealots, instigated by Eleazar, caused this custom to cease [JOSEPHUS, Wars of the Jews, 2.17], whence the war originated, according to JOSEPHUS.