I Timothy 2:1 · Bible study
1 Timothy 2:1 Commentary: Exhortation to Pray for All People
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Paul urges four types of prayer for all people, grounding the universal scope of Christian intercession in God's desire for salvation.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul commands public prayer for all humanity as the primary Christian duty, using four types to cover every dimension.
- Key words: δεήσεις (supplications), προσευχαί (prayers), ἐντεύξεις (intercessions), εὐχαριστίαι (thanksgivings).
- Main debate: Does “all men” mean every individual person or all categories (Jews, Gentiles, rich, poor, rulers)? Both readings exist in the commentaries.
- Theological theme: God’s universal salvific will and the church’s role as intercessor for the world.
- Best use: Foundational text for teaching on the breadth of prayer, mission, and the church’s public witness.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—
WEB World English Bible 2000
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men,
KJV King James Version 1769
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
ASV American Standard Version 1901
I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men;
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
I exhort, then, first of all, there be made supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all men:
Darby Darby Bible 1890
I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made for all men;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men:
Translations in other languages (10 available)
AMONESTO pues, ante todas cosas, que se hagan rogativas, oraciones, peticiones, hacimientos de gracias, por todos los hombres;
Por isso eu te exorto, antes de tudo, que se façam pedidos, orações, intercessões e atos de gratidão por todas as pessoas;
J’ exhorte donc, avant toutes choses, à faire des prières, des supplications, des requêtes, des actions de grâces, pour tous les hommes,
So ermahne ich euch nun, daß man vor allen Dingen zuerst tue Bitte, Gebet, Fürbitte und Danksagung für alle Menschen,
Ik vermaan dan voor alle dingen, dat gedaan worden smekingen, gebeden, voorbiddingen, dankzeggingen, voor alle mensen;
Io esorto dunque, prima d’ogni altra cosa, che si facciano supplicazioni, preghiere, intercessioni, ringraziamenti per tutti gli uomini,
Napominam tedy, aby przed wszystkiemi rzeczami czynione były prośby, modlitwy, przyczyny i dziękowania za wszystkich ludzi;
Итак прежде всего прошу совершать молитвы, прошения, моления, благодарения за всех человеков,
我勸 你，第一 要 為 萬 人 懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝；
My desire is, first of all, that you will make requests and prayers and give praise for all men;
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · I Timothy 2:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse commands public prayer for the whole human race, not only believers. The phrase πρῶτον πάντων (prōton pantōn, “first of all”) attaches to “I exhort,” not to “be made,” marking prayer as the primary duty of the church (Vincent, Calvin). Paul uses four terms (supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings) to cover every aspect of petition and gratitude. The verb ποιεῖσθαι (poieisthai) is middle voice, not passive, implying the congregation actively makes these prayers (Cambridge Bible). All traditions see this as a directive that Christian worship must be broad, inclusive, and persistent. The surrounding context (v.2, 4) grounds this universal scope in God’s desire that all people be saved and come to knowledge of the truth. Prayer for all, including rulers and enemies, is not optional but central to the church’s identity.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Universal individual scope: v.4 'who desires all people to be saved'; the parallel with Christ giving himself as a ransom for all (v.6).
- All categories/classes of people: v.2 specifically mentions kings and those in authority; context of Jewish-gentile tensions; use of πᾶς in a collective sense elsewhere.
What is clear: Christians are commanded to offer all forms of prayer for the entire human race, excluding no one.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of 'all men' | Prayer must be offered for everyone, not just for believers. | Some commentators (e.g., Calvin, Gill) take it to mean every individual, based on v.4 'desires all people to be saved.' Others argue it means all kinds or classes (Jews, Gentiles, rulers, etc.), noting v.2's specific mention of kings. |
| Purpose of four distinct terms | The accumulation emphasizes the earnestness and comprehensiveness of prayer. | Some, like Adam Clarke and Wesley, assign distinct meanings (supplication for averting evil, prayer for obtaining good, intercession for others, thanksgiving for mercies). Others, like Calvin, confess they do not fully understand the difference and see the list as rhetorical intensity. |
| Connection to 'first of all' | Paul gives prayer a high priority in Christian practice. | Whether it means first in order of time (so Matthew Henry) or first in importance (Barnes, Cambridge Bible) is debated. Vincent notes the phrase πρῶτον πάντων is unique in the NT and connects to 'I exhort,' not to 'be made.' |
| Public vs. private prayer | The verse governs public worship (see v.8 'I will therefore that men pray everywhere'). | Some, like Clarke, see it as direction for the liturgical assembly; others, like Matthew Henry, apply it to all prayer life. The middle voice ποιεῖσθαι suggests active congregational participation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes to Timothy in Ephesus, a city with a mixed population of Jews, Gentiles, and Roman authorities. The apostle had just warned against false teachers and a misuse of the law (1 Timothy 1). Now he turns to the church’s worship, insisting that first of all prayer be made for all men. This likely counters a tendency among some believers to pray only for fellow Christians, or to exclude non-Jews and even hostile rulers. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown note that Jewish factions at Ephesus were stirring rebellion against authorities; Paul responds by making intercession for kings a hallmark of Christian practice.
The four types of prayer draw on Jewish and Greco-Roman vocabulary. Δεήσεις (deēseis, “supplications”) express felt need; προσευχαί (proseuchai, “prayers”) are specifically directed to God; ἐντεύξεις (enteuxeis, “intercessions”) imply bold, familiar approach on behalf of others; εὐχαριστίαι (eucharistiai, “thanksgivings”) acknowledge God’s goodness for all people. The absence of a prescribed liturgy in this exhortation led commentators like Matthew Henry and Barnes to argue that Paul intended free, spontaneous prayer rather than a fixed form. At a time when believers might have felt isolated or persecuted, the call to pray for everyone, including those in power, was a radical act of faith.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Greek text is stable across the manuscript tradition, with only minor spelling differences (e.g., εὐχαριστίας vs. εὐχαριστίας). The phrase πρῶτον πάντων is unique to this passage, but its meaning is not contested textually.
Reception History
Early Christians read this verse as a mandate to pray for the Roman emperor and all civil authorities, even during persecution. Clement of Rome (c. AD 96) echoes its language in his own prayer for rulers. In the medieval period, the four terms were sometimes linked to the parts of the Mass, as Augustine suggested (noted by Cambridge Bible). During the Reformation, both Protestant and Catholic commentators (e.g., Calvin, the Council of Trent’s catechism) stressed the universal scope of prayer over against sectarian exclusivism. Matthew Henry and Barnes argued that the absence of a prescribed form supports extempore prayer. Modern evangelicals highlight its missional dimension, prayer for the lost as the first work of the church.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Prayer is the priority of the church. Paul places this exhortation “first of all.” Before doctrine, before conduct, he stresses prayer. This is not about order of service but about what matters most in the Christian community.
- Prayer is for all people without exception. “All men” includes the powerful, the hostile, the stranger. The cross-references from Psalms 67 and 1 Kings 8 show that God’s heart has always been for the nations. Intercession is the church’s mission in miniature.
- Prayer takes many forms. Paul lists four types, not to confuse but to cover every angle: need, devotion, intercession, and gratitude. A healthy prayer life includes each dimension.
Five-point outline
- The command: “I exhort therefore…” Paul is not suggesting; he is urging.
- The priority: “First of all”, prayer is not a footnote to Christian life.
- The categories: Supplications (personal need), prayers (worshipful address), intercessions (bold pleading for others), thanksgivings (gratitude for what God is doing for all).
- The scope: “For all men”, no one is outside the circle of Christian prayer.
- The purpose: So that we may lead quiet lives in godliness, and because God desires all to be saved (vv.2, 4).
Illustration hooks
- Prayer before news headlines. Before reading the day’s news, we could use the categories to pray for each person mentioned: supplication for the suffering, intercession for leaders, thanksgiving for any good.
- A church prayer list. Many churches list needs only from within the congregation. Paul’s command expands the list to the whole town, the government, the people we struggle to love.
- Abraham’s intercession for Sodom. Genesis 18 shows Abraham pleading not only for his nephew but for any righteous person in a wicked city. Intercession can be bold and specific for those far from God.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why should I pray for people I disagree with, especially political leaders?
- How do I know if my prayer is a “supplication” or an “intercession”? Does it matter?
- Does praying for “all men” mean I have to pray for everyone individually?
Leading a Discussion
This verse sets the tone for the whole chapter: Christian worship is outward-facing. Paul wants Timothy to ensure that the church’s prayers reflect God’s heart for the world. In your group, work through the questions below, using the cross-references to expand your understanding.
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Timothy 2:1. What four kinds of prayer does Paul list? Why do you think he uses four different words?
- The phrase “first of all” has been connected either to “I exhort” or to “be made.” How does each connection change the meaning? Which makes better sense in context?
- Paul says prayer should be made “for all men.” Look at verse 2: what specific group does he especially mention? Why might that have been controversial in Ephesus?
- Cross-reference Genesis 18:23-32. How does Abraham’s intercession for Sodom illustrate “intercession” (enteuxis)?
- Cross-reference Psalm 67:1-4. How does this psalm’s prayer for God’s blessing on the nations connect to Paul’s command?
- In verse 4, Paul grounds the command in God’s desire that “all people be saved.” How does this affect the way you pray for non-Christians you know?
- Think of one person in authority you find it hard to pray for. What specific supplication, prayer, intercession, or thanksgiving could you offer for them this week?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 18:23 | Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked? |
| Genesis 18:32 | He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.” |
| I Kings 8:41 | “Moreover, concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he comes out of a far country for your name’s sake |
| I Kings 8:43 | hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for; that all the peoples of the earth may know your name, to fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name. |
| Psalms 67:1 | For the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah. |
| Psalms 67:4 | Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah. |
| Psalms 72:19 | Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen. |
| Matthew 6:9 | Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke distinguishes four specific types of prayer in public worship: prayers to avert evil, to obtain needed good, on behalf of others, and thanksgiving. He stresses these must be offered for all people, including heathens and enemies, not just fellow believers.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes sees Paul’s command to pray for all people as a deliberate break from Jewish exclusivism that regarded Gentiles as outside covenant mercy. This universal prayer directive reveals Christianity's broad, inclusive nature and implies that Christ died for everyone, making thanksgiving possible for the whole human race.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that Paul deliberately commands prayer for all people, not just fellow believers. He notes this counters the natural instinct to limit prayer to the church. Calvin also admits uncertainty about the four prayer terms but firmly rejects Augustine's ceremonial interpretation as trivial.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator distinguishes the Greek terms for prayer: supplications reflect felt needs, prayers signify worship, intercessions imply personal solicitation for others, and thanksgiving completes the list. The plural forms and the middle voice of the verb emphasize that Paul directs the church to practice these as habitual
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes stress that prayer must begin with requests for others before personal needs. The four kinds of prayer—supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings—are to be offered for all people without exception, not only for believers. This broad scope shows that Christian prayer should reflect God's universal care.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that Paul's phrase "first of all" points to prayer's superior importance, not merely its timing. He distinguishes four kinds of prayer and argues that "all men" means people of every rank and condition, not every individual without exception, since prayer is not for the dead or those who have sinned beyond forgiveness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB reads Paul's call to pray for all people, especially rulers, as a direct correction to Jewish believers who despised non-Christian authorities and considered them doomed. The variety of prayer terms underscores that every form of prayer is to be offered for everyone, since Christ died for all.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Paul gave general categories for prayer rather than a fixed form, implying ministers are not bound to a prescribed liturgy. The apostle trusted Scripture and the Spirit to guide believers in prayer. The Christian religion itself aims to cultivate a praying people,
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent stresses that the word often translated "intercessions" means something more active: not pleading from a distance but drawing near to intervene directly in a situation. Prayer, in this sense, becomes a way to personally insert oneself into the affairs of rulers.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley distinguishes four kinds of prayer: supplication for help, prayer as holy desire rising from a calm soul moved by the Spirit, intercession for others, and thanksgiving for all people. He connects thanksgiving to God's desire that everyone be saved through Christ the Mediator of all.