“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling — the specific instruction (men lifting holy hands) evokes priestly imagery and echoes Psalm 134:2. Anger (orgē) and contention (dialogismos) corrupt intercession and must be purged for prayers to ascend.
Church Fathers on 1 Timothy 2:8
“When you pray,” says Christ, “you shall not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father, which is in secret; and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly.” Matthew 6:5-6 What then says Paul? “I will therefore that…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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