1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy · Chapter 2

1 Timothy 2:13

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.13For Adam was first formed, then Eve.14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
13For Adam was first formed, then Eve.For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.For Adam was first formed, then Eve;

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

This verse gives a reason for the rule in the verse before it, where Paul says he does not allow a woman to teach or usurp authority over the man in the church. It points back to the creation account, where Adam was formed before Eve. It belongs to a section on prayer and conduct in worship. 1 Timothy 2:121 Timothy 2:131 Timothy overviewGenesis 2:7Genesis 2:22

Commonly taken out of context

How it’s often usedQuoted on its own as a general statement that women are lesser than men or must defer to men in every area of life.

In contextThe verse opens with "for" and supports a specific instruction about teaching and authority in the church's worship. It speaks of order in creation, not of worth. The same chapter says God wants all people to be saved. Strong's G10631 Timothy 2:121 Timothy 2:131 Timothy overview1 Timothy 2:4Genesis 1:27

SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself at the start of the letter. Many critical scholars think a follower wrote in Paul's name, while others defend Paul's authorship. 1 Timothy overview

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul had left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview

Also involvedThe women and men of the Ephesian church as they gathered for prayer and teaching. The verse itself talks about Adam and Eve. 1 Timothy 2:81 Timothy 2:91 Timothy 2:111 Timothy 2:121 Timothy 2:13

Paul states the order of creation: Adam was formed first, then Eve. The word "for" shows he offers this as support for what he just said about women teaching and authority. The next verse adds a second reason about Eve being deceived. 1 Timothy 2:131 Timothy 2:121 Timothy 2:14Strong's G1063Strong's G4413GStrong's G1534

The letter was sent to Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple of Artemis. Where Paul wrote from is not stated, though it may have been Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThe verse looks back to the creation of the first man and woman, told in Genesis 2. Genesis 2:7Genesis 2:22

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, between Paul's two Roman imprisonments. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110. 1 Timothy overview

HerePaul is guiding how believers should conduct themselves in worship. This verse backs up his instruction about who teaches and holds authority in the gathered church. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 2:121 Timothy 2:13

In the whole of ScriptureThe letter was written partly to confront false teaching in Ephesus and to set order in God's household. Paul makes a similar appeal to creation in 1 Corinthians 11:8-9, saying the woman was made of and for the man. Genesis also says God created both male and female in his image. 1 Timothy overview1 Corinthians 11:81 Corinthians 11:9Genesis 1:27

For readersReaders should read this verse together with verse 12, since it explains that verse. It should also be weighed alongside the chapter's wider teaching that God wants all people saved. 1 Timothy 2:121 Timothy 2:4Strong's G1063

  • Forγάρ
    Greek · gar · G1063

    This word marks a reason or explanation. It ties the verse directly to verse 12, so the verse is an argument, not a free-standing statement. Strong's G10631 Timothy 2:12

  • was formedπλάσσω
    Greek · plassō · G4111

    The verb means to form or mould. In the Greek Old Testament it mostly translates the Hebrew word behind "formed" in Genesis 2:7, so Paul is echoing that creation scene. Strong's G4111Genesis 2:7

  • firstπρῶτον
    Greek · prōton · G4413G

    The word means first. Paul's point rests on the order of creation: "Adam was first formed, then Eve." Strong's G4413G1 Timothy 2:13

  • thenεἶτα
    Greek · eita · G1534

    This word marks sequence, "then, next." It completes the order Paul draws from Genesis: Adam first, then Eve. Strong's G1534

Takeaway

This verse is Paul's reason, drawn from Genesis, for his instruction about women teaching in the church's worship. It cannot be understood apart from verse 12, and it grounds that instruction in the order of creation. 1 Timothy 2:121 Timothy 2:13Strong's G1063Genesis 2:22

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
AdamἈδὰμAdamG0076
Adam

Ἀδάμ (Adam) Ἀδάμ, ὁ indecl. (Heb. אָדָם), Adam: Luk.3:38, Rom.5:14, 1Co.15:22,45, 1Ti.2:13,14 Ju 14. Christ ὁ ἔσχατος Ἀ., 1Co.15:45.† (AS)

forγὰρgarG1063
for

γάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. …

firstπρῶτοςprōtosG4413G
first

πρῶτον (prōton) πρῶτον, πρῶτος, see: πρότερος A. Compar., πρότερος, -α, -ον, [in LXX for רִאשׁוֹן ,לִפָנִים, etc. ;] before, of time, place, rank, etc.; in NT always of Time, before, former: Eph.4:22. Adverbially, πρότερον, before, aforetime, formerly: Jhn.7:50, 2Co.1:15, Heb.4:6; opposite to ἔπειτα, Heb.7:27; τὸ π., Jhn.6:62 9:8, Gal.4:13, 1Ti.1:13; αἱ π. ἡμέραι, Heb.10:32; αἱ π. ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.1:14.† (AS)

was formed,ἐπλάσθη,eplasthēG4111
to mold

πλάσσω (plassō) πλάσσω [in LXX chiefly for יָצַר ;] to form, mould: Rom.9:26 (LXX), 1Ti.2:13.† (AS)

thenεἶταeitaG1534
then

εἶτα (eita) εἶτα adv., denoting sequence; 1. of time; then, next: Mrk.8:25, Luk.8:12, Jhn.13:5 19:27 20:27, 1Ti.3:10, Jas.1:15; before genitive abs., Mrk.4:17; in enumerations, 1Co.15:5 15:7 15:24, 1Ti.2:13. 2. In argument; (a) therefore, then, (b) furthermore: Heb.12:9 (cf. εἶτεν).† (AS)

Eve.Εὕα.HeuaG2096
Eve

Εὖα (Eua) Εὔα (WH, Εὔα, § 408; Rec. Εὖα; S (in I Ti), Εὖα), -ας, ἡ (Heb. חַוָּה, Gen.3:20), Eve, wife of Adam: 2Co.11:3, 1Ti.2:13.† (AS)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.