Bible Commentaries
1 Timothy 2

Verse 1

First of all ; in importance.

Verse 2

For all that are in authority ; men in public office and stations of influence.

That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life ; this is the result of God’s grace given to them in answer to the prayers of his people, and enabling them to administer their office with fidelity and uprightness. Prayer for rulers is one of the most powerful means of obtaining a good government, and securing for all liberty to search the Scriptures and judge of their meaning, to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, and to discharge their various duties towards God and men.

Verse 3

For this ; praying for all men, especially for rulers.

Verse 4

Who will have all men to be saved ; by becoming acquainted with the gospel, and by believing and obeying it. He therefore wills that it should be preached to every creature, and that his people should pray that all may embrace it.

Verses 5-6

One God , and one mediator-a ransom for all ; these words contain the ground of the preceding exhortation to pray for all men, and declaration that God desires the salvation of all men. All have one God for their Father, and one Mediator who gave himself a ransom for all.

To be testified in due time ; literally, as the margin, the testimony in, or for, its own times. The apostle means that this high doctrine which he has just stated is one of the mysteries not hitherto clearly revealed, but reserved by God to be made known, through the testimony of his Spirit, in its appointed time, which is the present.

Verse 6

As there is but one Mediator between God and men, and as he has given himself a ransom for all, wills that all should hear of him, believe on him, and be saved, and has made it our duty to use all means in our power to accomplish this, it is evident that he has made provision for and desires their salvation; and that if any to whom Christ is made known are not saved, it is their own fault.

Verse 8

Lifting up holy hands ; in prayer.

Without wrath ; unholy anger towards men, which always hinders prayer. Mark 11:25 .

Doubting ; the wavering of faith, which also hinders prayer. James 1:6-7 . But many prefer to render, disputing, as the same word is translated in Philippians 2:14 .

Verse 9

In like manner ; with the same holy temper.

Shamefacedness ; modest appearance.

Sobriety ; decorum.

Broidered ; or, plaited.

Costly array ; expensive ornaments or dress, which is the mark of pride and luxury, and corrupting in its influence on them and on others. Compare 1 Peter 3:3 .

Verse 10

The highest beauty of women, and the richest ornaments with which they can adorn themselves, are true piety and sincere active beneficence. The gospel inculcates universal propriety, and a character formed after its model is one of consummate excellence, usefulness, and enjoyment.

Verse 12

Nor to usurp authority ; as she would should she undertake publicly to teach. It is the revealed will of God that public religious teachers should be men, not women. He has allotted to them different spheres of action, and the perfection of each consists not in aspiring or submitting to occupy the place of the other, but in performing their own appropriate duties.

Verse 13

Adam was first formed ; an indication that he is the head of the woman, and that the office of teaching and governing belongs to him. 1 Corinthians 11:8-9 . The apostle has reference to the public assemblies of believers. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:34 , "Let your women keep silence in the churches."

Verse 14

Was not deceived ; by the serpent in the first transgression. The serpent first assailed the woman, as being most open to his arts, and having deceived her, he made use of her to persuade her husband. Compare the words of the woman, "The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat"; and the words of God to the man, "Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten," Genesis 3:13 ; Genesis 3:17 . The headship was given to the man, not to the woman.

Verse 15

She shall be saved in childbearing ; the apostle says this with reference to the original curse pronounced upon the woman, "In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children." Genesis 3:16 . Through faith in Christ, who is emphatically "the seed of the woman," God will not only sustain her in the perils of childbearing, but make them conducive to her spiritual and eternal salvation.

If they continue ; words added to show who alone have an interest in the promise just given.