"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim 2:1-3).
Paul told Timothy to pray for kings and all in authority when Nero was the Emperor...
“On behalf of kings” refers to all those individuals who are governmental leaders. It not only refers to the Roman Emperor Nero but all those who governed the provinces that were under his authority. So Paul is not only calling the Ephesians (The City where Timothy was Pastor) to intercede in prayer for Nero but also those rulers who governed the various provinces of the Empire under his authority. He wants the Ephesians to pray that these rulers would be exposed to the gospel for their salvation. Also, he wants them to pray for these rulers in order to protect them from the attacks of Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Therefore, Paul is urgently requesting that the Ephesians intercede in prayer to the Father “on behalf of” the Roman governmental rulers. These rulers are to benefit from the intercessory prayers of the Ephesians.
“Each and every one of those individuals who are in authority” refers to those individuals in the Roman government who formed the Emperor’s consortium, which would include the Praefect of the Praetorian Guard as well as magistrates and proconsuls in the various cities and provinces in the Empire. Thus, Paul is urgently requesting that the Ephesians intercede in prayer on behalf of all those who exist in a state of holding a position of authority in the Roman government. The clause “in order that we may continue to live a peaceful and tranquil life” presents the purpose for Paul’s request that the Ephesians offer up intercessory prayer for kings and all in authority. This purpose clause refers to the lifestyle of those belonging to the Christian church who are sons of God and in union with Christ. Thus, Paul is requesting intercessory prayer from the Ephesians for all those in authority in order that they may conduct their lives in a tranquil and peaceful manner. Historically, at the time of writing the Christian community was living relatively peaceful and quiet manner relation to the Roman government and Paul wants this to continue by means of the intercessory prayers of the Ephesians. This purpose clause refers to the activities and affairs and daily functions of everyday human life in the Christian community. It speaks of the tranquil and peaceful coexistence or conditions with respect to the Roman government and the Christian community. It also speaks of the quietness of soul as a result of the peaceful political situation in the Roman Empire or the peaceful coexistence between the Roman government and the Christian community. The Christian community is to pray for the Roman government in order that they might provide them with freedom to proclaim the gospel throughout the empire unhindered. “With absolute godliness as well as dignity” refers to the manner in which the Ephesian Christians were to conduct themselves in relation to Roman society...
2011 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries
Paul told Timothy to pray for kings and all in authority when Nero was the Emperor...
“On behalf of kings” refers to all those individuals who are governmental leaders. It not only refers to the Roman Emperor Nero but all those who governed the provinces that were under his authority. So Paul is not only calling the Ephesians (The City where Timothy was Pastor) to intercede in prayer for Nero but also those rulers who governed the various provinces of the Empire under his authority. He wants the Ephesians to pray that these rulers would be exposed to the gospel for their salvation. Also, he wants them to pray for these rulers in order to protect them from the attacks of Satan and the kingdom of darkness. Therefore, Paul is urgently requesting that the Ephesians intercede in prayer to the Father “on behalf of” the Roman governmental rulers. These rulers are to benefit from the intercessory prayers of the Ephesians.
“Each and every one of those individuals who are in authority” refers to those individuals in the Roman government who formed the Emperor’s consortium, which would include the Praefect of the Praetorian Guard as well as magistrates and proconsuls in the various cities and provinces in the Empire. Thus, Paul is urgently requesting that the Ephesians intercede in prayer on behalf of all those who exist in a state of holding a position of authority in the Roman government. The clause “in order that we may continue to live a peaceful and tranquil life” presents the purpose for Paul’s request that the Ephesians offer up intercessory prayer for kings and all in authority. This purpose clause refers to the lifestyle of those belonging to the Christian church who are sons of God and in union with Christ. Thus, Paul is requesting intercessory prayer from the Ephesians for all those in authority in order that they may conduct their lives in a tranquil and peaceful manner. Historically, at the time of writing the Christian community was living relatively peaceful and quiet manner relation to the Roman government and Paul wants this to continue by means of the intercessory prayers of the Ephesians. This purpose clause refers to the activities and affairs and daily functions of everyday human life in the Christian community. It speaks of the tranquil and peaceful coexistence or conditions with respect to the Roman government and the Christian community. It also speaks of the quietness of soul as a result of the peaceful political situation in the Roman Empire or the peaceful coexistence between the Roman government and the Christian community. The Christian community is to pray for the Roman government in order that they might provide them with freedom to proclaim the gospel throughout the empire unhindered. “With absolute godliness as well as dignity” refers to the manner in which the Ephesian Christians were to conduct themselves in relation to Roman society...
2011 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries
