1 Timothy 2:1-7

1 Timothy 2:1-7

[1] I exhort  therefore,  that, first  of all,  supplications,  prayers,  intercessions,  and giving of thanks,  be made  for  all  men;  [2] For  kings,  and  for all  in  authority;  that  we may lead  a quiet  and  peaceable  life  in  all  godliness  and  honesty.  [3] is good  and  acceptable  in the sight  of God  Saviour;  [4] Who  will have  all  men  to be saved,  and  to come  unto  the knowledge  of the truth.  [5] For  there is one  God,  and  one  mediator  between God  and  men,  Christ  Jesus;  [6] Who  gave  himself  a ransom  for  all,  to be testified  in due  time.  [7] Whereunto  I  am ordained  a preacher,  and  an apostle,  (I speak  the truth  in  and lie  not;)  a teacher  of the Gentiles  in  faith  and  verity. 

What does 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The apostle"s first positive instruction to Timothy regarding his leadership of the Ephesian church was that believers should offer prayer for all people. He gave this directive to emphasize its importance, defend its value, and clarify its practice.
"The ministry of prayer is the most important service that the Church of Christ can engage in.
"It [1] is the most dynamic work which God has entrusted to His saints, but it is also the most neglected ministry open to the believer." [2]
"The most essential part of public worship is prayer." [3]
Every aspect of this prayer touches the church"s evangelistic mission. Prayer is not the subject of this section but the context for that subject, which is the salvation of all people. [4]
"The one clear concern that runs through the whole paragraph has to do with the gospel as for everyone ("all people," 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 2:4-7).... The best explanation for this emphasis lies with the false teachers, who either through the esoteric, highly speculative nature of their teaching ( 1 Timothy 1:4-6) or through its "Jewishness" ( 1 Timothy 1:7) or ascetic character ( 1 Timothy 4:3) are promoting an elitist or exclusivist mentality among their followers. The whole paragraph attacks that narrowness." [5]