1 Timothy 2:1-5

Prayer for All People

2:1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, ¹  prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, ²  2:2 even for kings ³  and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 2:3 Such prayer for all ⁴  is good and welcomed before God our Savior, 2:4 since he wants ⁵  all people ⁶  to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 2:5 For there is one God and one intermediary ⁷  between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human, ⁸ 

[2:1]  ¹ tn Or “petitions.”

[2:1]  ² tn Grk “all men”; but here ἀνθρώπων (anqrwpwn) is used generically, referring to both men and women.

[2:2]  ³ tn For “even for kings” the Greek says simply “for kings.”

[2:3]  ⁴ tn Grk “this”; the referent (such prayer for all, referring to vv. 1-2) is specified in the translation for clarity.

[2:4]  ⁵ tn Grk “who wants…” (but showing why such prayer is pleasing to God).

[2:4]  ⁶ tn Grk “all men”; but here ἀνθρώπους (anqrwpous) is used generically, referring to both men and women.

[2:5]  ⁷ tn Traditionally this word (μεσίτης, mesith") is rendered “mediator,” but this conveys a wrong impression in contemporary English. Jesus was not a mediator, for example, who worked for compromise between opposing parties. Instead he was the only one able to go between man and God to enable them to have a relationship, but entirely on God’s terms.

[2:5]  ⁸ tn Grk “one mediator between God and mankind, the human, Christ Jesus.”