1 Timothy 2:8

Will. Gr. boulomai, “to desire,” “to intend.” Paul now turns to the proper attitude and manner that should characterize all public prayer. Even in prayer order must be maintained, and Paul, as a skilled administrator, instructs his subordinate, Timothy, in details designed to prevent confusion and fanaticism. Compare 1 Cor. 14:33, 40.

Men. Gr. andres, “men” as distinguished from women. For a discussion of the role of women in the public services of the church see on 1 Cor. 14:34, 35.

Everywhere. That is, in each service of public worship.

Holy hands. Figurative of a character void of moral defilement. By this the apostle implies that only such men should pray in public. The hands symbolize deeds, and an upright man is said to have “clean hands” (see on Ps. 24:4; cf. James 4:8). For a morally and spiritually polluted man to pray in public worship is hypocrisy, and his act in so doing, an insult to the God of heaven.

Without wrath. Genuine prayer, whether public or private, can be made only in an atmosphere of love and forgiveness. The spirit of anger and revenge is incompatible with the Spirit of God and must be removed before there can be effective worship (see on Matt. 5:22; 6:14, 15; Eph. 4:31).

Doubting. Gr. dialogismos, “disputing,” “quarreling.” Genuine prayer brings the worshiper into harmony with the spirit and the purposes of God. Wrong attitudes toward either man or God destroy the effectiveness of prayer.