1 Timothy 2:1
Παρακαλῶ οὖν πρῶτον πάντων ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις, προσευχάς, ἐντεύξεις, εὐχαριστίας, ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων
Παρακαλῶ οὖν: A Pastoral Urging
The verb Παρακαλῶ is the present active indicative of παρακαλέω, meaning “I exhort,” “I urge,” or “I appeal.” The present tense emphasizes ongoing exhortation — Paul is not giving a one-time command but calling for a continuing practice.
The conjunction οὖν (“therefore” or “then”) links this exhortation to the preceding passage, likely referring to Paul’s charge concerning sound doctrine and gospel-centered ministry in chapter 1. The grammar signals that what follows is foundational.
πρῶτον πάντων: Before All Else
The phrase πρῶτον πάντων literally means “first of all.”
– πρῶτον is the neuter form of the adjective πρῶτος (“first”), functioning here adverbially.
– πάντων is the genitive plural of πᾶς — “all.”
This construction emphasizes priority in sequence and importance. Prayer is not a last resort — it is the first duty of the church’s public and private life.
ποιεῖσθαι: An Infinitive of Practice
ποιεῖσθαι is the present middle infinitive of ποιέω (“to do” or “to make”). Here it means “to offer” or “to perform.” The infinitive is governed by Παρακαλῶ — “I urge… to be done.” The middle voice may convey personal involvement or habitual practice.
Paul urges Timothy and the church to continually engage in the spiritual work of intercession.
δεήσεις, προσευχάς, ἐντεύξεις, εὐχαριστίας: Four Aspects of Prayer
Paul lists four distinct types of prayer, each in the accusative plural as the object of ποιεῖσθαι:
– δεήσεις: “petitions” or “supplications” — specific requests for needs.
– προσευχάς: “prayers” — general communication with God.
– ἐντεύξεις: “intercessions” — formal entreaties, often on behalf of others.
– εὐχαριστίας: “thanksgivings” — expressions of gratitude, showing that prayer is not only petition but also praise.
The variety in terminology reflects the fullness and richness of Christian prayer, covering need, intercession, and worship.
ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων: Universal Intercession
This prepositional phrase defines the scope of the prayer:
– ὑπὲρ + genitive indicates “on behalf of” or “for the sake of.”
– πάντων ἀνθρώπων — “all people,” stressing no exclusion or limitation.
This phrase undercuts sectarianism or tribalism. The grammar presses the point: intercession is to be inclusive, reaching beyond personal interests to the whole human family.
The Priority That Shapes a People
In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul calls for prayer to be the first response of a gospel-shaped community. The present indicative Παρακαλῶ leads with authority, the infinitive ποιεῖσθαι summons consistent action, and the listing of four kinds of prayer enriches the spiritual vocabulary of the church. Greek syntax underscores urgency, breadth, and intentionality — because what we pray reflects what we value. And Paul says: start with everyone.
