From the general “all people” (Good News Translation, verse 1) a specific group is now mentioned, namely, kings and all who are in high positions. The word for kings is usually used for the Roman emperor; however, the plural form seems to suggest that other rulers are included as well. It is not of course necessary to translate kings literally, especially if such an office is not known or is strange in the receptor culture. A more general translation would be sufficient; for example, “rulers,” “sovereigns” (Revised English Bible [Revised English Bible]), or “chiefs” (see also the comments on the translation of “king” in 1.17). High positions translates a Greek word that refers to a state of high rank or position. It is not explicitly clear that all who are in high positions refers to government authorities or to church leaders; however, the association of the phrase with kings, together with what follows, makes it certain that indeed civil and government authorities are meant. This is made clear in Good News Translation, “and all others who are in authority.” In some languages it will be helpful to start a new sentence at the beginning of this verse; for example, “You should do this for kings (or, high chiefs) and all those who are in positions of authority (in the state)” or “You should pray like this for kings….”
The second half of the verse tells why prayers should be offered for government authorities, namely, so that there will be peace and order in society and reverence for God among the people. The pronoun we should be understood as inclusive, since it includes the readers of the letter.
The two words qualifying life, namely quiet and peaceable, are synonyms, both referring to a life that is calm, serene, orderly, peaceful, and free from any kind of danger or trouble. Most translations retain two expressions here, and there are usually at least two words in the receptor language to describe tranquility and peacefulness. It is also possible to use one term here but in an intensive way; for example, “very peaceful” or “very quiet.”
This peaceful and quiet life is further characterized by two other traits: godliness and respectfulness. Godly is a noun in the Greek, literally “in all piety,” referring to devotion to any supernatural power. In the Pastorals it is used to refer to devotion to God, so the word for “godliness” occurs frequently; it is used eight times in 1 Timothy, once in 2 Timothy, and once in Titus. In addition the adjective “godly” occurs once in 2 Timothy and once in Titus. This is a Greek term used to describe general devotion to any supernatural power, together with the required good moral and ethical life; hence “piety,” “religion,” “devotion” (New American Bible New American Bible, Revised New Testament). In the Pastorals “godliness” refers primarily to devotion to and reverence for God (compare Good News Translation). In certain languages the idea of godly is related to the quality of “straightness,” as in “straight lives,” “people who have straight livers,” “people who walk a straight path,” and so on. The term for respectful is a noun that describes behavior that is right and proper, especially in relation to others; hence “propriety” (New Jerusalem Bible [New Jerusalem Bible]), “proper conduct” (Good News Translation). Some translations relate these two terms closely; for example, Revised English Bible “free to practise our religion with dignity,” Phillips “with a proper sense of God and of our responsibility to Him for what we do with our lives.” It is best, however, to take these two terms separately, the first referring to relationship to God, and the second to relationship with other people. Keeping in mind what has been said above, another way of expressing these two traits is “showing great devotion and reverence (or, respect) for God, and behaving in a right and proper way before other people.”
In every way (New Revised Standard Version “in all”) comes immediately before “godliness” in the Greek text, but it probably acts as a qualifier of both “godliness” and “dignity” (New Revised Standard Version).
An alternative translation model for this verse is:
• You should pray for kings (or, high chiefs) and all people who are in positions of authority, that in every way we [inclusive] may live peaceful and quiet (or, very peaceful) lives, showing great devotion and reverence for God, and behaving in a right and proper way before others.
Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .