“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV)
Beginning in chapter two off this epistle, the Apostle Paul began a series of instructions to his protégé Timothy. It was an example of a mentor providing practical and wise counsel to his student (Prov. 27:17). This wisdom was also pertinent because of the false teaching existing in the Ephesian Church on Timothy’s watch (1:3-7). It was a present reality. Paul warned the Ephesian church elders this could happen, with heresy arising from within the believing community (Acts 20:17-35).
In light of this present situation, Paul actively urged (Παρακαλῶ; parakalo) and earnestly appealed to Timothy about the importance of prayer. While this discipline is essential for all believers in Christ (Matt. 6:9-13), it is especially so for pastors.
Paul urged Timothy to bring supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings before the Lord on behalf of all the people. What kind of people did the apostle have in mind? Of what people groups was he referring?
To begin with, Paul urged Timothy to pray for kings. Kings (βασιλέων; basileon) refers to rulers who have absolute authority in a given geographic area. “The term kings is a term used of both petty kings and the most powerful of kings (Matt. 1:6; 2:2; Mark 6:14; John 1:49; Acts 4:26; 7:10; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 7:1; 1 Peter 2:17; Rev. 17:14).”[1]
Paralleling this initial directive are for prayers to be given on behalf of everyone who is in a high government position. These are individuals who are in civil government and who God has ordained to maintain justice (Rom. 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-17). Paul does not differentiate between good government officials or bad ones. He just counsels Timothy to pray for them.
The purpose for this injunction is so believers in Christ “may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” To be peaceful (ἤρεμον; eremon) means to be quiet and tranquil. Quiet (ἡσύχιον; hesychion) means to be well-ordered and having a peaceful disposition. To be godly (εὐσεβείᾳ; eusebia) is having biblical beliefs and attitudes. To be dignified (σεμνότητι; semnoteti) means to display proper and respectful behavior. This is the conduct all believers in Christ are to possess, especially in our behavior and attitudes towards those who serve in government.
“How necessary, this admonition! Even today! The apostle is probably thinking, first of all, of sovereign rulers of states, as they succeed one another in the course of history; and of all other functionaries subject to them. He must have had in mind the then-reigning emperor Nero, and further: the proconsuls (Acts 19:38), Asiarchs (Acts 19:31), the town-clerk (a rather influential position, Acts 19:35), etc.,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen. [2]
“However, had the emperor been Augustus or Tiberias or Caligula or Claudius, had he been Vespasian or Titus or Domitian; had those who ruled under them been kings properly so called, as for instance Herod the Great, tetrarchs such as Herod Antipas, ethnarchs such as Archelaus—even emperors, tetrarchs, and ethnarchs were sometimes called kings (John 19:15; Matt. 14:9; Matt. 2:22)—; had they been procurators such as Pontius Pilate, or had they been invested with any other political office, the charge, “Pray for them,” would have been exactly the same. It is a commandment which holds for every age and for every region” [3]
Believers in Christ are to pray for government leaders regardless of their political affiliation. We are to pray for politicians with whom we agree, and for those with whom we disagree. There is to be no distinction.
“Included in the purpose of Paul’s prayer is also this, that believers, leading a life of tranquility and calm, may do nothing to create unnecessary disturbance, and may conduct themselves “in all godliness and gravity,” that is, “in all piety and respectability or dignity,” striving to be blameless in their conduct or attitude both toward God and toward men,” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.[4]
How may you pray for government leaders today? They may be those who serve in local, state, or federal positions. They may be violent and vile, or vigilant and virtuous. It makes no difference.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 94.
[3] Ibid. 94.
[4] Ibid. 95.
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