Font Size
1 Timothy 2
New Testament for Everyone
1 Timothy 2
New Testament for Everyone
The first rule: prayer for the world
2 So, then, this is my very first command: God’s people should make petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings on behalf of all people— 2 on behalf of kings, and all who hold high office, so that we may lead a tranquil and peaceful life, in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good; it is acceptable with God our savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth. 5 For, you see,
There is one God,
and also one mediator between God and humans,
Messiah Jesus, himself a human being.
6 He gave himself as a ransom for all,
and this was testified when the time was right.
7 This is why I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I’m speaking the truth, I’m not lying!), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Women must be allowed to be learners
8 So this is what I want: the men should pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, with no anger or disputing. 9 In the same way the women, too, should clothe themselves decently, being modest and sensible about it. They should not go in for elaborate hairstyles, or gold, or pearls, or expensive clothes. 10 Instead, as is appropriate for women who profess to be godly, they should adorn themselves with good works. 11 They must study undisturbed, in full submission to God. 12 I’m not saying that women should teach men, or try to dictate to them; rather, that they should be left undisturbed. 13 Adam was created first, you see, and then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived, and fell into trespass. 15 She will, however, be kept safe through the process of childbirth, if she continues in faith, love and holiness with prudence.
1 Timothy 2
New Catholic Bible
1 Timothy 2
New Catholic Bible
Qualities of Public Worship and Church Leaders[a]
Chapter 2
Prayer for Those in Authority.[b] 1 I urge then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, 2 for kings and for all those who hold positions of authority, so that we may be able to lead a tranquil and quiet life with all possible devotion and dignity. 3 To do so is right and acceptable to God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to full knowledge of the truth.
5 [c]For there is one God,
and there is one mediator between God and man,
Christ Jesus, himself a man,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all.
This was the testimony he offered at the appointed time. 7 And I was made a herald and an apostle of it (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Positions at Public Worship.[d] 8 I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up their hands reverently in prayer without anger or argument. 9 I also ask that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing. They should be adorned not with braided hair or with gold or pearls or expensive clothes,[e] 10 but with good works, as is fitting for women who profess their reverence for God.
11 Women are to learn in silence with complete submission. 12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to hold authority over a man. She should keep silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, and Eve afterward. 14 Furthermore, Adam was not deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and fell into sin. 15 However, women will be saved through the bearing of children, provided that they continue to persevere in faith, love, and holiness, marked by modesty.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 2:1 This section instructs Timothy about the public worship of the community and lists some qualifications that bishops and deacons must possess. In the process, it bestows on the Church two time-hallowed titles: “the Church of the living God” and “the pillar and bulwark of the truth.”
It then concludes by stressing the universality of Jesus’ role in his Resurrection visitation to angels as well as humans and in his enthronement as Lord of the Church. Hence, the belief in Christ’s Paschal Mystery is shown to be one of the basic aspects of the faith of the Church. - 1 Timothy 2:1 Nero was in power, and Paul perhaps had a presentiment of a dark future for Christians. He therefore urges them to include all human beings in their intercession. Liturgical prayer must be universal prayer, for it is carried along by a conviction: God has sent his Son to bear witness that the Father wills the salvation of the whole world. It is the mission of Paul and ultimately of the Church to make this truth well known.
- 1 Timothy 2:5 This text was probably part of a very early creed. Some scholars regard it as a Christian version of the Jewish shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord, our God, is Lord alone . . .” (Deut 6:4f). The Letter to the Hebrews gives a lengthy development of this central affirmation of the Christian faith.
- 1 Timothy 2:8 First of all, Paul describes the attitude of prayer, stressing that it must arise from a heart filled with love (see Mt 6:14; Mk 11:25). Then he issues recommendations for different groups and states of life. In keeping with the custom of the time, women were excluded from official roles in worship (see 1 Cor 14:34-35).
We see a teaching already in existence concerning style of dress, a teaching that has often been renewed in the Church: Christians should endeavor to be rather than to appear. The New Testament several times recognizes the value of virginity (see 1 Cor 7:8, 25); but here, in opposition to heretics who forbade marriage (1 Tim 4:3), Paul emphasizes the point that the vocation of women is to give life. - 1 Timothy 2:9 This verse does not place a total ban on wearing jewelry or expensive clothes or braiding one’s hair. These things are singled out here because in the society of Paul’s day they were signs of unconscionable extravagance and self-importance.
1 Timothy 2
New International Version
1 Timothy 2
New International Version
Instructions on Worship
2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,(A) intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority,(B) that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness(C) and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases(D) God our Savior,(E) 4 who wants(F) all people(G) to be saved(H) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.(I) 5 For there is one God(J) and one mediator(K) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,(L) 6 who gave himself as a ransom(M) for all people. This has now been witnessed to(N) at the proper time.(O) 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying(P)—and a true and faithful teacher(Q) of the Gentiles.(R)
8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands(S) without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,(T) 10 but with good deeds,(U) appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
11 A woman[a] should learn in quietness and full submission.(V) 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] she must be quiet.(W) 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.(X) 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.(Y) 15 But women[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love(Z) and holiness with propriety.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 2:11 Or wife; also in verse 12
- 1 Timothy 2:12 Or over her husband
- 1 Timothy 2:15 Greek she
1 Timothy 2
New King James Version
1 Timothy 2
New King James Version
Pray for All Men
2 Therefore I [a]exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 (A)for kings and (B)all who are in [b]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and [c]reverence. 3 For this is (C)good and acceptable in the sight (D)of God our Savior, 4 (E)who desires all men to be saved (F)and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 (G)For there is one God and (H)one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 (I)who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 (J)for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth [d]in Christ and not lying—(K)a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Men and Women in the Church
8 I desire therefore that the men pray (L)everywhere, (M)lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the (N)women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and [e]moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 (O)but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And (P)I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 2:1 encourage
- 1 Timothy 2:2 a prominent place
- 1 Timothy 2:2 dignity
- 1 Timothy 2:7 NU omits in Christ
- 1 Timothy 2:9 discretion
1 Timothy 2
King James Version
1 Timothy 2
King James Version
2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7 Whereunto 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.
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9 In 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;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
New Testament for Everyone (NTFE) 
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.