Prayer for those in Civil Authority

1 Timothy 2:1-2:8

“1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to 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 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;”

Context

Paul wrote 1 Timothy in ca. 63 A.D. at a time when the church in Ephesus was engaged in spiritual warfare both in society and within itself, in particular from false teachers who held the position of elder! Nero was emperor of the Roman Empire at the time, and not known as a friend of Christians.

2:1 Therefore

What’s the “therefore” there for (1:11, 1:15, 1:18-20)?

To focus the immediate context for the pending doctrine (truth as it applies to application): In view of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ (1:11), who came into the world to save sinners (1:15), some of whom were recently excommunicated from the church in Ephesus by Paul for having rejected faith and a good conscience (1:18-20) …

2:1 I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made

In the midst of the madness in and around Ephesus, what is Paul’s primary exhortation?

To pray, from at least four, interdependent perspectives:

Prayer : The root word προσευχή (pros-yoo-khay’) refers simply to praying (bring our supplications, intercessions, thanksgiving, confessions, etc.) to God [2].

Supplication (Entreaties) : The root word δέησις (deh’-ay-sis) refers to a petition arising from a deep, personal, and urgent sense of lack [1].

Intercession : The root word ἔντευξις (ent’-yook-sis) involves waiting upon the Lord to discern His revealed will so that proper action in a circumstance will be known [3].

Giving of Thanks (Thanksgivings): The root word εὐχαριστία (yoo-khar-is-tee’-ah) literally means the giving of thanks for God’s grace [4].

Now, for whom should we make prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgivings?

2:1-2 for all men, for kings and all who are in authority

For all men : The root word for men in this verse — ἄνθρωπος (anth’-ro-pos) — means human being in general [5]. Christians shouldn’t intentionally ignore, or deny prayer for, anyone or any “people group” while praying. Consider Samuel as an extreme example when he said to the people of Israel (1 Samuel 12:23):

“far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.”

For kings and all who are in authority : This is a broad statement encompassing all of those people in positions of civil authority, which seems to be Paul’s focus in this passage.

Why should Christians heed Paul’s exhortation?

First, it’s interesting to note that the same Greek word is used for both instances of “for” in this section — ὑπέρ (hoop-er’); ὑπέρ “is usually best translated as ‘for the betterment (advantage) of’” and “naturally expresses conferring benefit [8].” So, Christians should pray for all men and all those in authority as it could confer a benefit to them!

Second, aside from the fact that Christians should heed Paul’s exhortation because Paul was appointed as an apostle and teacher by the commandment of God (1:1, 2:7), Paul provided three more reasons in this text:

2:2 that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence

2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior

2:4 who desires all men (human beings) to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

First, although Paul’s use of the word ὑπέρ (hoop-er’) in verses 2:1-2:2 indicates that our prayers are for the benefit of those in authority, Paul also states in verse 2:2 that prayer for those in civil authority can result in a quiet and peaceable life for Christians, i.e., it’s also for our benefit. This isn’t something new. God likewise commanded Jeremiah during the Jewish captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:7):

“And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”

Note that the Christian responsibility is not only to pray, but to live a life in all godliness and reverence!

Second, Paul states in verse 2:3 that prayer for those in civic authority is good and acceptable from God’s perspective. Remember, dear Christian (Ephesians 2:10):

“we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Prayer for others is a good work! In particular because:

Third, Paul reminds us in verse 2:4 that (2 Peter 3:9):

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Isn’t it glorious when any person, in particular those in authority, come to a knowledge of the truth, repent, and are saved? Of course!

What additional instructions does Paul have for Christians while praying?

2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Christians should be concerned with the posture of their hearts. Specifically, Paul mentions three areas:

Holy Hands : The “holy” hands were symbolic of the person being “holy” and thus not in a state defiled by unconfessed or unrepentant sin [6]. For example:

Without Wrath (Anger) : Remember (James 1:20):

“The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God!”

Without Doubting (Dissensions) : This is a confused type of “back-and-forth” thinking that tends to reinforce remaining in some state of prejudice [7].

This is a good reminder to examine oneself prior to praying, and to confess one’s sins, such as unrighteous anger or prejudice, as part of going before the throne of mercy in grace.

Application

Find out who is in authority in your life: school principals, deans, mayors, selectmen, representatives, senators, governors, judges, presidents, ambassadors, etc., are all candidates. Learn about them, their situations, and their needs, and pray for them!

End Notes

[1] http://biblesuite.com/greek/1162.htm
[2] http://biblesuite.com/greek/4335.htm
[3] http://biblesuite.com/greek/1783.htm
[4] http://biblesuite.com/greek/2169.htm
[5] http://biblesuite.com/greek/444.htm
[6] A.Duane Liftin [iii], p.735.
[7] http://biblesuite.com/greek/1261.htm
[8] http://biblesuite.com/greek/5228.htm

Bibliography

[i] J.R.W.Stott, “The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus,” Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester, 1996.
[ii] J.MacArthur, “The New Testament Commentary : 1 Timothy,” Moody Press, Chicago, 1995.
[iii] A.Duane Liftin in J.F.Walvoord and R.B.Zuck (Editors), “The Bible Knowledge Commentary,”Chariot Victor Publishing, Colorado Springs, 1983.