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, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.