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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - 1 Timothy 2:8 - 2:8
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1Ti 2:8. Βούλομαι οὖν, I will therefore) The apostolic authority is represented in this expression; ch. 1Ti 5:14 : comp. presently 1Ti 2:12, I suffer not. The particle therefore takes up again, 1Ti 2:1.-προσεύχεσθαι τοὺς ἄνδρας, that men pray) So also in 1Pe 3:7, prayers are assigned to men, in a certain particular point of view. He is speaking here of public prayers, in which the heart of the people follows close after the language of him who prays: comp. the next verse concerning women.-ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ, in every place) construed with ἄνδρας, men. Paul also appeals elsewhere on this subject to a similar practice in all the churches. Wherever men are, there are those by whom and for whom prayers are to be made.-ἐπαίροντας, lifting up) They turned up the palms of their hands to heaven, as those asking for help are wont to do.-ὁσίους χεῖρας, holy hands) Wrath and doubting are in the soul: but the hands also ought to be holy. The contrary is found at Isa 1:15, at the end. The word ὁσίους is especially used in the propriety of the Greek idiom for freedom from all violence.-ὀργῆς, wrath) which [molesting men especially.-V. g.] is the reverse of love (comp. 1Pe 3:7, at the end), and the mother of doubting.-διαλογισμοῦ, doubting) which is opposed to faith. Christianity consists of faith and love, and comprises grace and truth: it therefore ought to form the principal object of our desires, that we may both pray, and live and die, without doubting and wrath. The exercise of prayer, and of the whole of Christianity, is at once either true or vain.[15] Grace cherishes faith; truth, love, Eph 4:15.
[15] That is, Prayer and the whole sum of Christianity stand or fall together. If one is true, both are true; if one is false, both are false.-ED.