Skip to reading
Atomic Bible
1 Timothy

Chapter 2

Prayer, Peace, and Ordered Worship

Paul urges the church to offer all kinds of prayer for everyone, including rulers, so that believers may live quiet and godly lives, and he grounds that call in God's saving desire, the one mediator Christ Jesus, and his own mission to the Gentiles. He then turns to conduct in gathered worship, calling men to pray without anger and women to adorn themselves with good works, quiet learning, and faithfulness. The chapter closes with instructions shaped by creation, transgression, and persevering holiness.

After confronting distorted teaching, Paul turns to the public life of the church. The chapter shows that sound doctrine takes visible form in prayer, peace, ordered conduct, and worship that fits the gospel.

2 sections·261 words·~1 min read

Begin reading Zoom into first section
Reader

1 Timothy 2

A continuous BSB reading flow. Turn on the guide when you want authored orientation; leave it off when you simply want the text.

vv. 1-8

A Call to Prayer

Open section

F1irst of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority— so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

3This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all — the testimony that was given at just the right time. 7For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.

8Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.

vv. 9-15

Instructions to Women

Open section

L9ikewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

11A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

13For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. 14And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. 15Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

Section map

Open the closer view when you want it.

Each section keeps the passage focused, adds summaries and cross references, and gives verse-level links.

  1. 01vv. 1-8A Call to PrayerPaul urges the church to make every kind of prayer for all people, including rulers, so that believers may live quiet and dignified lives. He says this pleases God our Savior, who desires people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, and he roots that hope in the one mediator, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all. The section closes with Paul's Gentile commission and with a call for men to pray without anger or quarrelling.
  2. 02vv. 9-15Instructions to WomenPaul says women should adorn themselves not with display but with modesty, self-control, and the good works fitting those who profess reverence for God. He speaks of quiet learning and does not permit teaching or authority over a man in this setting, grounding his words in Adam and Eve and in the story of transgression. The section ends with a difficult but hopeful word about continuing in faith, love, holiness, and self-control.
Previous Chapter 1All 6 chapters in 1 TimothyNextChapter 3