(Vers. 1-4.) Therefore, I exhort first of all to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all men, for kings, and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of our Savior God, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. This is the ecclesiastical rule, handed down by the master of the Gentiles, which our priests use to supplicate for all, praying for the kings of this world, so that they may have subject nations, so that we may be able to serve our God in peace, with a calm mind and quiet spirit. Also praying for those to whom lofty power is entrusted, that they may govern the republic in justice and truth, with an abundance of resources, so that joy may succeed the removal of disturbance and strife; for bread strengthens the heart, and wine gladdens the mind (Psalm 104:15). Also requesting for those who are in various needs, that they may be rescued and freed, and praise God, the author of their well-being. Also offering thanks for the daily providence of God that is granted to us for life, so that in all these things, God the Father may be praised, from whom all things come (1 Corinthians 8:6); and His Son, through whom all things exist, so that with all opposition and enmity subdued, we may be able to serve God with affectionate piety and chastity; for disturbance and captivity do not preserve piety or chastity. For where is the pious man, who is naked? And where is the chaste man, where his authority is not? So that these things can be preserved, rest is necessary; so that pleasing obedience to God may be rendered, who desires all men to be saved and to know the truth. This is eternal life, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3). If indeed God, who is called omnipotent, desires all men to be saved, is his will not fulfilled? But in every expression the meaning and condition is hidden; hence Peter the apostle says: All Scripture needs interpretation (II Peter II, 20). For indeed God desires all men to be saved, but if they come to Him; for He does not will it so, that they be saved against their will: but He desires that they be saved, if they themselves also desire it. For certainly He who gave the law to all, has made no exception for salvation. Does a physician not therefore propose in public, that he desires to save all; if he is indeed asked by the sick? For there is no true salvation if it is bestowed upon someone unwillingly: nor can one rejoice in the received salvation if they have accepted the medicine against their will, if it is indeed possible; not to mention that medicine cannot have an effect unless the sick mind has accommodated itself to it; for this medicine is not physical but spiritual, which is neither beneficial to the doubtful nor to the unwilling. For faith is what gives salvation, and unless the entire mind has embraced it willingly, it will not only be of no benefit but also harm. For indeed faith has this power, that it may bestow divine healing upon the devout, and inflict disease upon the unbelievers, by which the whole man may perish.
(Vers. 5.)
(Verse 5.) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. The will of God and Christ is one in saving mankind. Therefore, he acknowledges God the Father to be one, because all authority is from him, and one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus. For he was sent by the Father and made the arbitrator, reconciling God and men, bringing them to the knowledge of him. For because the Father and the Son are one, not in person, but in the unity of nature, he became the arbitrator between God and men, the Son of God, assuming flesh, born as a man; so that the man Christ Jesus would be the mediator between God and men, that is, not without divinity, for in him God was man, and man was God. And in order to be the mediator between both and to reconcile both, he first did this in himself. For he could not, while preserving the unity of God, be called a mediator between God and men, as if there were another God who could bring back the rebellious man into grace with God; but instead, a man who would not transgress the given law became a mediator between the one who sinned and the one who was ignorant of sin; so that he could forgive sin and man could henceforth abide in the faith of God.
(Vers. 6, 7.)
(Verse 6, 7.) He who gave himself as redemption for all, whose testimony was given in his own time, in which I am appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I do not lie), a teacher of the gentiles in faith and truth. For man, reconciled to God, was already subject to the infernal death; so that he could ascend to God, to whom he was reconciled, the Savior, in order to fulfill his purpose, suffered death against justice; descending to the underworld, he condemned the death of impiety that he had borne, taking away from them those whom he held; so that from now on, whoever bears his sign, cannot be held captive by it. To testify to the fact that by the time He rose again, destruction of death became resurrection of the dead. This hope is what the Apostle of the Gentiles was sent to preach, so that people could learn from him what hope there is in Christ. He is called a teacher for this reason, to teach faith and truth.
(Vers. 8.)
(Verse 8.) Therefore I desire that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without anger and dispute. It is advised to have a peaceful mind in prayer, so that the prayer may be effective, for holy hands are only when the heart is pure. However, it is also commanded to pray in every place, but understanding that a suitable place is meant, not an inappropriate or dirty place. For the Lord forbids praying publicly: but He advises against thinking that one should only pray in the Church alone (Matthew 6:5-6).
(Vers. 9, 10.)
(Verse 9, 10.) Likewise, women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. It instructs women to pray in a humble manner, not with pride; for whoever wants to be heard should humble themselves, removing all pomp from themselves, in order to appeal to God's mercy. A proud appearance does not achieve anything and does not make one be believed rightly. For who among the wise would not fear a woman adorned with boasting? How much more so the author God, who sees a body made free by itself, bound by metals! For a humble appearance is suitable for a good profession, so that it may not be judged as something other than what it appears to be: but she, who wishes to be seen in the house of God with pomp, not for the sake of God but for the sake of humans, achieves what she desires, to appear glorious, gaining nothing from God except a stain. For how splendid it appears to humans, so much more despised it is by God.
(Vers. 11, 12.)
(Vers. 11, 12.) Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. For it is not permitted for a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence. Not only should a woman have a humble demeanor, but she should also have her authority denied and be subject to her husband; so that she may be both in appearance and in obedience under the power of the man, from whom she derives her origin.
(Vers. 13, 14, 15.)
(Verses 13, 14, 15.) For Adam was first created, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and fell into transgression. Yet she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. Man is superior to woman, for he was created first; and woman is inferior, because she was created from man. It is also worth noting that the devil deceived not the man, but the woman; and the man, being deceived through the woman, brought sin into the world. Therefore, he must not have audacity, but should remain humble; for it was through the woman that death entered the world. 'Salvation,' he says, 'will be through the generation of children; if, however, they remain in faith, and charity, and pure life. For these are the children, who are regenerated through the faith of Christ; because if they persevere in their generation, the woman rising from the dead will be saved along with them, not that she will be saved by them, but through their generation; for when those who are destined for eternal life believe, one reaches the resurrection from the dead, and they are saved, those who believe and live a chaste life.' For as long as resurrection is deferred, so long as all the predestined believe in salvation.
Caput III.
(Vers. 1.)
(Verse 1) Human speech: if someone desires a bishopric, they desire a good work. For a bishop must be of good life, therefore whoever desires a bishopric desires a good work. For by desiring this, they seem to desire a good life, as long as they do not deviate from what is expected of them, so as not to appear to have done this out of ambition or a desire for money.
(Vers. 2.)
(Verse 2.) For it is necessary for a bishop to be blameless. He describes what kind of bishop he should be, so that no one desires the office of bishop unless he is faithful and able to abstain from all contrary things, so that he may not be unworthy of his profession. A man of one wife. Although it is not prohibited to have a second wife in terms of number, nevertheless, in order for someone to be worthy of the bishopric, he must even despise what is permissible because of the exaltedness of that order itself; for he must be better than the rest, who is eager for that seat.
(Vers. 3, 4.)
(Vers. 3, 4.) Sober, modest, well-groomed, hospitable, teachable, not addicted to wine; not a violent person, but gentle; not argumentative, not harsh; but one who manages his home well and has obedient children with all purity. Such a man, who keeps these virtues that are listed, says should be chosen as a bishop. For these are the signs of the episcopal dignity. But if someone desires higher things and dedicates their body and soul to God, they should not enter into marriage; they will become even more worthy. For he placed the inferior so that no one would doubt the superior.
(Vers. 5.)
(Verse 5.) But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he apply diligence to the Church of God? It is clear that then he can be proven to be a suitable leader if he has first governed his own house properly; for whoever is faithful in small matters will also be faithful in great matters (Luke 16:10).
(Vers. 6.)
(Verse 6.) Let him not, being newly converted, become proud and fall into the judgment of the devil. It is true that those who are inexperienced in the faith are often inflated with pride, especially if they receive a position of authority; for they are puffed up by novelty and power, thinking themselves more deserving than others. For when, in the first year of their conversion, they see honors bestowed upon them, they consider themselves called not for their own benefit, but for the benefit of others. They think they do more good to the religion than they receive from it; and by being elated by this, they fall into the snare of the devil. For Satan brings down those who are proud with opportunity. And therefore it is written in Solomon: God resists the proud (Prov. III, 34). Hence in another letter the same Apostle says: If anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself (Galat. VI, 3). And the Lord says: Whoever exalts himself will be humbled (Luke XIV, 11).
(Vers. 7.)