1 Timothy 2 · Verse 3

1 Timothy 2:3

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1 Timothy 2:3, King James Version

1 Timothy 2:3 in other translations

BSBThis is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
WEBFor this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
ASVThis is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
YLTfor this is right and acceptable before God our Saviour,
DARBYfor this is good and acceptable before our Saviour God,
BBEThis is good and pleasing in the eyes of God our Saviour;
WebsterFor this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

What does 1 Timothy 2:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. this--praying for all men. in the sight of God--not merely before men, as if it were their favor that we sought (2Co 8:21). our Saviour--a title appropriate to the matter in hand. He who is "our Saviour" is willing that all should be saved (1Ti 2:4; Ro 5:18); therefore we should meet the will of God in behalf of others, by praying for the salvation of all men. More would be converted if we would pray more. He has actually saved us who believe, being "our Saviour." He is willing that all should be saved, even those who do not as yet believe, if they will believe (compare 1Ti 4:10; Tit 2:11).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. For this is good and acceptable. That is, it is good and acceptable to God that we should pray for all men. The reason is, that he desires their salvation, and hence it is agreeable to him that we should pray for it. If there were no provision made for their salvation, or if he were unwilling that they should be saved, it could not be agreeable to him that we should offer prayer for them.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 This is good and acceptable - Prayer for all legally constituted authorities is good in itself, because useful to ourselves and to the public at large, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; and this is its highest sanction and its highest character: it is good; it is well pleasing to God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy 2:1-7

The disciples of Christ must be praying people; all, without distinction of nation, sect, rank, or party. Our duty as Christians, is summed up in two words; godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men. These must go together: we are not truly honest, if we are not godly, and do not render to God his due; and we are not truly godly, if not honest. What is…

Read the full comment on 1 Timothy 2:1-7 →

1 Timothy 2:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τοῦτοtoutoThisG3778
καλὸνkalon[is] goodG2570
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀπόδεκτονapodektonacceptableG587
ἐνώπιονenōpionbeforeG1799
τοῦtoutheG3588
σωτῆροςsōtērosSaviorG4990
ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165
θεοῦ,theouGod,G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Timothy 2:3

  • Hebrews 13:16

    But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

  • 1 Timothy 1:1

    Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

  • 1 Peter 2:20

    For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

  • Romans 14:18

    For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

  • 1 Peter 2:5

    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

  • Luke 1:47

    And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

  • Colossians 1:10

    That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1

    Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

  • Philippians 1:11

    Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

  • 1 Timothy 5:4

    But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

  • Ephesians 5:9-10

    (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

  • Isaiah 45:21

    Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
this.
5:4; Ro 12:1,2; 14:18; Eph 5:9,10; Php 1:11; 4:18; Col 1:10; 1Th 4:1
Heb 13:16; 1Pe 2:5,20
God.
1:1; Isa 45:21; Lu 1:47; 2Ti 1:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Timothy 2:2

    For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

  • 1 Timothy 2:3

    For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

  • 1 Timothy 2:4

    Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Read all of 1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque esto es bueno y agradable delante de Dios nuestro Salvador;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car cela est bon et agréable devant notre Dieu sauveur,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn dieses ist gut und angenehm vor unserem Heiland-Gott,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		hoc enim bonum est, et acceptum coram Salvatore nostro Deo,