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.
