Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
Chapter
1 Timothy 2:1-4
1 Timothy 2:1-4 1. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1. Adbortor igitur, ut ante omnia fiant deprecationes, obsecrationes, interpellationes, gratiarum actiones pro omnibus hominibus,
2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
2. Pro regibus et omnibus in eminentia constitutis, ut placidam et quietam vitam degamus cum omni pietate et honestate.
3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 3. Hoc enim bonum et acceptum coram Salvatore nostro Deo, 4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
4. Qui omnes homines vult salvos fieri, et ad agnitionem veritatis venire. 1 I exhort therefore. These exercises of godliness maintain and even strengthen us in the sincere worship and fear of God, and cherish the good conscience of which he had spoken. Not inappropriately does he make use of the word therefore, to denote an inference; for those exhortations depend on the preceding commandment.
That, above all, prayers be made. First, he speaks of public prayers, which he enjoins to be offered, not only for believers, but for all mankind. Some might reason thus with themselves: ``Why should we be anxious about the salvation of unbelievers, with whom we have no connection? Is it not enough, if we, who are brethren, pray mutually for our brethren, and recommend to God the whole of his Church? for we have nothing to do with strangers.'' This perverse view Paul meets, and enjoins the Ephesians to include in their prayers all men, and not to limit them to the body of the Church.
What is the difference between three out of the four kinds which Paul enumerates, I own that I do not thoroughly understand. The view given by Augustine, who twists Paul's words so as to denote ceremonial observances customary at that time, is quite childish. A simpler exposition is given by those who think that ``requests'' are when we ask to be delivered from what is evil; ``prayers,'' when we desire to obtain something profitable; and ``supplications,'' when we deplore before God injuries which we have endured. Yet for my own part, I