Bible Strands
1 Timothy 2:3
This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy, instructing him to prioritize intercession for kings and those in authority.
The words — ἀπόδεκτον (apodekton) translates literally as "acceptable," denoting the divine standard applied to the prescribed prayers.
The thread — The text grounds this approval in God the Savior, a title Paul uses in 1 Timothy 1:1, while Hebrews 13:16 and Romans 14:18 similarly mark obedient acts as pleasing to God.
Why it lands — The verse states that intercession for rulers is good and acceptable to God before it implies any theological inference about salvation. It requires the reader to treat prayers for authority as spiritually necessary because God himself validates them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Cross-references
- Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- Romans 14:18 For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
- 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
- 1 Peter 2:20 How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
- 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Luke 1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
- Colossians 1:10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
- Philippians 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- Isaiah 45:21 Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.