1 Timothy 2:1,2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
JOHN CALVIN (1509-1564): If any one ask, ‘Ought we to pray for kings, from whom we obtain none of these advantages?’ I answer, the object of our prayer is, that, guided by the Spirit of God, they may begin to impart to us those benefits of which they formerly deprived us.
H. A. IRONSIDE (1876-1951): We may see in the governments of this world things that are contrary to the mind of God, but we seek to overcome them by methods that are in accordance with the spirit of the gospel.
MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): The kings at this time were heathens, enemies to Christianity, and persecutors of Christians.
MATTHEW POOLE (1624-1679): So, generally, were those who were in a subordinate authority to them, yet the apostle commands that prayers should be made in the Christian congregations for them.
JOHN GILL (1697-1771): It might be a scruple with some of them, whether they should pray for them, and therefore the apostle enjoins it; and this in opposition to the notions and practices of the Jews, who used to curse the Heathens, and pray for none but for themselves, and those of their own nation.
JOHN CALVIN: He expressly mentions kings and other magistrates because, more than all others, they might be hated by Christians. All the magistrates who existed at that time were so many sworn enemies of Christ; and therefore this thought might occur to them, that they ought not to pray for those who devoted all their power and all their wealth to fight against the kingdom of Christ.
MATTHEW HENRY: Yet they must pray for them, because it is for the public good that there should be civil government, and proper persons entrusted with the administration of it, for whom therefore we ought to pray, yea, though we ourselves suffer under them. In praying for our governors, we take the most likely course to lead a peaceable and quiet life. The Jews at Babylon were commanded to seek the peace of the city whither the Lord had caused them to be carried captives, and to pray to the Lord for it; “for in the peace thereof they should have peace,” Jeremiah 29:7.
ADAM CLARKE (1760-1832): If the state be not in safety, the individual cannot be secure; self-preservation, therefore, should lead men to pray for the government under which they live. Rebellions and insurrections seldom terminate in political good; and even where the government is radically bad, revolutions themselves are most precarious and hazardous. They who wish such commotions would not be quiet under the most mild and benevolent government. We thus pray for the government that the public peace may be preserved. Good rulers have power to do much good; we pray that their authority may be ever preserved and well directed. Bad rulers have power to do much evil; we pray that they may be prevented from thus using their power. So that, whether the rulers be good or bad, prayer for them is the positive duty of all Christians.
MATTHEW POOLE: If magistrates were idolaters and persecutors, they were to pray for their conversion, and the change of their hearts. However, they were to pray for their life and health so far forth as might be for God’s glory, and for God’s guidance of them in the administration of their government, and their success in their lawful counsels and undertakings.
JOHN CALVIN: It is our duty, therefore, not only to pray for those who are already worthy, but we must pray to God that he may make bad men good. We must always hold by this principle, that magistrates were appointed by God for the protection of religion, as well as of the peace and decency of society, Romans 13:1-5.
JOHN BUNYAN (1628-1688): I do confess myself one of the old-fashioned professors, that covets to fear God, and honour the king. I also am for blessing of them that curse me, for doing good to them that hate me, and for praying for them that despitefully use me and persecute me; and I have had more peace in the practice of these things than all the world are aware of.
ADAM CLARKE: So it has ever been the practice of Christians. When Cyprian defended himself before the Roman proconsul, he said: “We pray to God, not only for ourselves, but for all mankind, and particularly for the emperors.” Tertullian, in his Apology, is more particular: “We pray for all the emperors, that God may grant them long life, a secure government, a prosperous family, vigorous troops, a faithful senate, and an obedient people; that the whole world may be in peace; and that God may grant, both to Caesar and to every man, the accomplishment of their just desires.”—Indeed they prayed even for those by whom they were persecuted.
MATTHEW POOLE: The latter words, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” contain the reason why prayers should be made for governors, and the good effect of them. For it is for this end that the supreme Lord hath ordained the office and dignity of kings and governors, that, being armed with authority and power, they may perserve public order and peace, by punishing evil-doers, and protecting and encouraging those that do well.
JOHN CALVIN: On the other hand, princes, and all who hold the office of magistracy, are here reminded of their duty. It is not enough, if, by giving to every one what is due, they restrain all acts of violence, and maintain peace; but they must likewise endeavour to promote religion, and to regulate morals by wholesome discipline. Accordingly, seeing that God appointed magistrates and princes for the preservation of mankind, however much they fall short of the divine appointment, still we must not on that account cease to love what belongs to God…That is the reason why believers, in whatever country they live, must not only obey the laws and the government of magistrates, but likewise in their prayers supplicate God for their salvation.
JOHN BUNYAN: Let kings have that fear, honour, reverence, worship that is due to their place, their office and dignity.
EDWARD PAYSON (1783-1827): To all whom God has made our superiors, we owe obedience, submission and respect. As subjects, we are bound to obey, honour and pray for our rulers. Let every soul of you be subject to the higher powers. Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. Thou shall not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
JOHN BUNYAN: Pray for all that are in authority; reproach not the governor, he is set over thee; all his ways are God’s, either for thy help or the trial of thy graces—this duty, will render thee lovely to thy friends, terrible to thine enemies, and serviceable as a Christian.
