New Testament
1 Timothy 2
Overview
Turning from the false teachers to the ordering of worship, Paul urges that prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, and especially for kings and all in high positions, so that believers may lead peaceful and godly lives. He grounds this universal scope in the heart of God: God our Savior desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. Paul then directs how men and women are to conduct themselves in the assembly: men are to pray lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling, and women are to adorn themselves with good works and modesty rather than ostentatious display. He instructs that a woman is to learn quietly with all submissiveness and explains that he does not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, appealing to the order of creation (Adam formed first) and to Eve's being deceived. The chapter ends with a much-debated word of hope: she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
1I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men,
2for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time,
7to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
9In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing,
10but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness.
11Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission.
12But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.
13For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
14Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience;
15but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with sobriety.