1 Timothy 2:8 – Holy Hands

In the early verses of chapter 2, Paul says that Christians should pray for all manner of people, for there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. In verse eight, he says that, for this reason, men should pray wherever they are (in every place), lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. It is noteworthy that, whereas the word translated as “people,” “men” and “man” in the earlier verses means “human being(s),” the word for “men” in verse eight specifically means “adult males” (and is juxtaposed with the word for “women” in verse 9). Thus, the instructions in verse 8 are specifically for men. (We’ll deal with Paul’s instructions to women tomorrow).

Wherever Christian men are, they are to pray. When they come together for prayer, they must do so “lifting holy hands.” Paul does not mean that there is only one physical position in which one may pray. Rather, the emphasis is on the holiness of a man’s hands. Psalm 24:4 says that only a man “who has clean hands and a pure heart” may enter God’s presence for worship. Thanks be to God all believers are cleansed in Christ, but Paul is emphasizing the importance of coming into God’s presence for worship/prayer with a right attitude of heart. This involves being reconciled to our brethren (“without anger”) and unreluctantly praying with them (“without quarreling”). It may be that the men of the Ephesian church (where Timothy was pastor) were particularly prone to divisive quarrels, and, so, Paul made sure to give Timothy these instructions.

Questions
1. Is Christian prayer limited to a particular place?
2. What does it mean to have “holy hands”?
3. What does it mean to pray “without anger or quarreling”?

Prayer Points
1. Pray that Christian men join in prayer without anger or quarreling.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.