CHAPTER 2
On prayer, that it is above all, that it is everywhere, without wickedness, without disturbance, reverently.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people; for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth .
In daily worship, this would be before the remembrance of others, he says. To make petitions . A petition is a plea offered for deliverance from troubles. Prayer is a request for good things. Intercession is an accusation against wrongdoers.
thanksgivings , for it is necessary to give thanks for the good things that happen to one another.
be made for all people . Since the bishop is a common father, he ought to pray for all people, both the faithful and the unbelievers, friends and enemies, those who slander and those who afflict.
for kings . Then, so that the matter might not appear to be flattery, first saying, be made for all people ; thus he declared, “ for kings and all who are in high positions ."
that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life . Let no Christian be disturbed in any way; therefore, during the time of the mysteries, let him remember that the king, since he is often unfaithful, shows that our profit is their salvation. But how is their salvation our profit? How? For if they are preserved and conduct themselves excellently in wars against enemies, we live quietly and peacefully with no one disturbing us. It would indeed be absurd if they were to be exhausted for the common safety, but we do not even bring together that which is in us as help (I mean prayer) for them.
in all godliness . There are three kinds of wars: one is against the Barbarians; one is against those of the same race; the third, which the soul wages against the body, which is the hardest of all. For the war against the Barbarians brings only death or slavery. The war against those of the same race, I have learned to avoid through gentleness. "Instead of loving me," he says, "they attacked me, but I prayed." (Ps. 109:4) And, "I was peaceful among those who hate peace". (Ps. 120:6) But the one within ourselves is difficult to accomplish, and it brings harm to the soul. Therefore, he wishes to pray for the kings, so that they may both conquer and endure, knowing that the peace from the Barbarians greatly contributes to the peace within ourselves. For if one must be at leisure and know God, then freedom and harmony are necessary for the knowledge of God and kindness. How then could those engaged in wars with the Barbarians be at rest? For it is noble and undeniable to pray for all people, both Greeks and others, so that they may turn back.
who desires all people to be saved . He says, if He Himself desires all to be saved, the Lord who also saves, who then needs my prayers? Yes. For you draw them and those to love, and you show affection. "Imitate," He says, "the purpose of God." (Eph. 5:1) For He Himself desires all people to be saved, and you pray for all people above all.
and to come to the knowledge of the truth . Paul said, "To the knowledge of the truth." Then he explains what the truth in doctrines is. If therefore God wills, he says, why does what He wills not happen? It does not happen because they do not want it. For God does nothing by compulsion.
1 Timothy 2:5-7 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time; for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth .
For there is one God, and one mediator . Note that he did not say, Two, but, One and one, thus avoiding the multiplication of gods. Since the one who was to mediate was absent, to partake of both so that He could also mediate, the Son of God, the eternal 2 Logos [ὁ προαιώνιος Λόγος], having become incarnate, came forth, existing from two natures, namely from divinity and humanity, and is understood and worshiped in one person after the union. 1 For if the Only Begotten had appeared to us in bare divinity, creation would not have shown Him, where the sons of Israel were not able to see the face of Moses. But the phrase "One God" is not placed in opposition to the Son or the Spirit—far from it!—but against those who are not, called gods. It is asked why the Spirit is not mentioned. Because the discussion was about the Greeks. For concerning them is the phrase, "and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:4) Among them there was polytheism, and he carefully guarded the economy of remembering the "Spirit," lest somehow he introduce the appearance of polytheism. Since he converses there with the faithful, he continually remembers Him, often even alone, not bringing to mind the Father and the Son.
the man Christ Jesus . As He was man, so He was also God, indivisibly, inseparably. 3
who gave himself as a ransom for all , and of the Greeks. Therefore, he died for all, but you do not endure to pray? Note then the phrase, "who gave himself." For this is against the Arians, who say that he was delivered up unwillingly. But what is the price of redemption? Nature was unwilling to perish, but Jesus gave Himself for it.
the testimony . That is, through the testimony the Son became a ransom. The interpreter now says this means that the testimony is called a ransom, that is, the passion. For He came to bear witness to the truth. He testified by what He did, that He Himself is Christ, the Son of God, even to death. For He also revealed the Father, and introduced the true doctrine and the true and angelic life, given at the proper time , He says. That is, when people were suitably disposed toward faith. Thus Clement of Alexandria in the seventh “Hypotyposes.”
at the proper time . Through the testimony, he gave himself, he says, as a ransom . Through the testimony, that is, through the passion (for in it he bears witness to the goodness of the Father that he gave both himself and the Son. But they did not cease their hostility toward him, but even crucified the Son. And that he wishes to fulfill the promises to them, but they do not want it), in proper time , he says, having been prefigured and predestined by the holy and blessed Trinity.
for this I was appointed . To which I was appointed as a testimony and a passion, and I was set apart as a preacher, so that I might make the cross revealed everywhere. And since he was about to say, " teacher of the Gentiles ," it seemed unbelievable if the idolaters were called, he proclaimed beforehand: "I speak the truth, I do not lie." (Rom. 9:1)
teacher of the Gentiles . Since there is also the practice of proclaiming hastily, he called himself Teacher. For I did not only proclaim, but also, remaining, I taught. This, however, shows God's zeal concerning the Gentiles.
in faith and truth . Since he said, " in faith ," so that no one might think that it is deceit, he adds, " in truth ." I do not preach with persuasive words or with linguistic twists, but in faith. For this shows the power of the preaching.
1 Timothy 2:8-10 Therefore I want the men to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves in respectable clothing, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, but, as be appropriate women who profess godliness, with good works .
How then did Christ forbid praying openly? "For He says, 'Go into your room.'" (Matt. 6:6) Christ did not forbid praying in every place, but He said this to turn away from praying for show; just as in "Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing," (Matt. 6:3) He does not speak about hands, but about doing good deeds without empty glory and not for display. It is not the place that makes the difference, but everywhere He cared that we do not show off. Furthermore, the Apostle also makes this clear: Just as it was not permitted for the Jews to offer sacrifices outside the temple, so it is also with us to pray. For He says that every place is suitable for us, only if we lift up holy hands , that is, hands cleansed from impure grasping, greed, and murder, purified through almsgiving.
without anger . Without bitterness, without cursing anyone. For true anger is not even wishing harm to befall one's brother.
or disputing . So will God hear me? Or do I pray simply and in vain? For one must be convinced that God will listen, if we ask Him for things dear to Him while being pure.
Likewise, I want the women . That is, I wish for them to raise their hands in holiness without anger or argument. Women require more than anything else to be adorned modestly.
But the phrase, respectable clothing , clearly means to be covered on all sides; he says it properly, not excessively, so as to please those who see it.
with modesty and self-control . Therefore, do not imitate those who are loved with a lustful desire, who look shamelessly and in the manner of high-class prostitutes.
not with braided hair . For you have not come to a theater, Paul says. You have come to weep for your sins. Luxury is not the attire of one in prayer, nor is your worldly arrogance fitting for one mourning their sins. But if these things, which only display wealth, are prohibited: much more so the curious and perverse things such as the staining of the cheeks, painted eyes, renown walk, a broken voice, a wondering and curious eye, the raising of a prostitute’s garment, a more elaborate belt, ripped shoes. For all these things, in other words, say, " in respectable clothing ," he cast out.
That teachers ought to be men, and not women, because of nature and the affection that arises from error.
1 Timothy 2:11-15 Let a woman learn in silence with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived fell into transgression. Yet she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control. This is a trustworthy saying .
Not only does he require women to be modest, but also silent and submissive; for through silence, they signify submission.
I do not permit a woman to teach . He removed every opportunity for a woman to speak. For since he commanded them to be silent, so that they would not speak under the grounds of a reasonable excuse for teaching, he says, "Nor let them teach," not only human things but also spiritual ones. And he forbade teaching in the assembly. For he did not entirely remove teaching from them; for he allows them to teach their own children for a time, as he says later on.
or to exercise authority over a man . For to teach is indeed to assume authority over a man.
For Adam was formed first . Since Adam was formed first, the woman should not have authority over the man, but should be in submission to him.
Adam was not deceived . As to the comparison with the deceit with which the woman was deceived, the behavior of Adam is neither deceit nor trickery. For it is much more reasonable to be deceived by the serpent than to accept the fruit from the woman and eat it. Therefore, in his defense, Paul says that he was not deceived, but that "The woman whom you gave to be my helper, she gave to me and I ate." (Gen. 3:12) Calmly showing that Adam did not even err after listening to his helper. "He was not deceived." Note that what precedes is to be understood as implied.
In another way also. How was Adam not deceived? Because neither does Scripture say this, but the woman indeed: "The serpent deceived me." (Gen. 3:13) But Adam does not say; "The woman deceived me," but, "She gave me." She gave to me: For it is not the same to be persuaded by a fellow and companion, and to be persuaded by a beast, slave, and one who is subordinated. Therefore, that was the deception. But neither did Adam see the tree that it was beautiful to eat, but the woman.
but the woman being deceived . And Paul brings this forward to prevent a woman from teaching. For once a woman has taught, Paul says, she overturns everything and makes the man subject to disobedience: for she was the author herself and advised him to eat. Therefore, he does not say: Eve was deceived; but the woman was deceived, indicating a nature that is easily deceived.
but the woman being deceived fell into transgression . Not only Eve became accountable to transgression, but also the whole sisterhood of women. For as in Adam we all die, so in Eve all have sinned.
Yet she will be saved through childbearing . Not only Eve, but every woman. And by “ childbearing ,” it is meant not only to bear children, but also to lead them according to God. What then shall one say, that virgins and barren women, and those without children and widows, are lost? Away with that though! For it does not say that they will not be saved by their own virtue; but that childbearing will also be a means of salvation for them, that is, the acknowledged means of being saved by their own virtue.
if they continue in faith . If Christians have nurtured and remained virtuous. What then if she herself is evil, but nurtures well? It certainly cannot happen that what is bad trains well; yet if it does happen, there will be a reward. But what if being good she nurtures evil? She will die because of the evil of the children. And the priest Eli is witness. (1 Sam. 2-4)
This is a trustworthy saying . Because the fathers, Paul says, will be able to share in the virtue of the children.
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Translator notes for 1 Timothy chapter 2.
1. “ Since the one who was to mediate was absent, to partake of both so that He could also mediate, the Son of God, the eternal Logos, having become incarnate, came forth, existing from two natures, namely from divinity and humanity, and is understood and worshiped in one person after the union .” The preceding text is a theological statement consistent with the doctrines of the early Christian Church, particularly as defined by the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD).
2. “eternal” προαιώνιος literally means “before the ages” or "before the creation of the world."
3. indivisibly, inseparably [ἀδιαιρέτως, ἀσυγχύτως] The Chalcedonian Definition, in 451AD at the Council of Chalcedon, was largely based on the 433 Formula of Reunion, with some additions from Cyril's letters. It attempted to define the via media between the opposite heresies of Eutyches and Nestorius. For example, it used the phrase "unconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably" (Greek: ἀσυγχύτως , ἀτρέπτως, ἀδιαιρέτως, ἀχωρίστως); the first two words were directed at Eutyches, and the second two at Nestorius.