1 Timothy 2:3-4 3This is good and acceptable before God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Why do we pray? The second desired outcome of the prayers from verse 1 is that it pleases God when people pray. Acceptable (apodekton) is found only here and 5:4 in the New Testament and means something that is pleases and is welcomed. Its root is used in the context of offering a sacrifice. Prayer is the sacrifice believers bring to God in behalf of other people. Our prayer offering shows to God that we are serious about his sovereignty and power to intervene in situations and with people. Prayer is the way we show that we have put ourselves on the altar before God our Savior as living sacrifices. We recognize that God has provided the only source of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The final goal of prayer is the salvation for all people. The ultimate reason we must pray is for our own salvation and the salvation of all people. God’s will for humanity comes from God’s loving nature that extends mercy and grace. God as Savior desires salvation for all. Salvation is experienced by coming to know the truth. Truth is not abstract data that can be discovered by human exploration or science. Only Jesus is the truth and the way (John 14:3). All other so-called truth is but a reflection of the revelation of God seen in Jesus as mediator. Salvation is not simply making a confession but involves discipleship and growing in understanding and living it out. The word used for knowledge (epignōsin) is a more intensive form of coming to know something or someone. It is often used in a personal and experiential sense. The truth is a person and not an abstract theological statement of faith.
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