Lifting Up Holy Hands – What Does It Mean?
Categories: Bible Questions and Answers, Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
A querist asks, “In 1 Timothy 2:8, where it says ‘lifting up holy hands,’ why do we ignore the command for men to raise their hands in prayer?”
Using the American Standard Version of 1901, the text in 1 Timothy 2:8 ASV reads:
“I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.”
While the command does allude to the Old Testament practice of the uplifted hands in respectful petition to God (cf. Nehemiah 8:6; Psalm 141:2; Lamentations 3:41), it is not a demand for any certain posture in prayer, nor even the physical lifting of the hands (we can if we desire to), but teaches that men who lead in prayer should possess a character of purity and holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16; cf. 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:22).
“Lifting Up Holy Hands” Refers to Men
In the Greek text, the word “the” is included before the word “men” in the beginning of this verse. The ASV-1901 correctly translates the beginning of this verse as, “I desire therefore that the men pray in every place…..” The leading of public prayers are thus restricted to men.
Who are “the men” that Paul refers to? Those in 1 Timothy 2:7, that would include not only Jewish men, but Gentile men as well, Paul being both an apostle and preacher to the Gentiles (see Ephesians 3:7-8). Paul desired that both Jew and Gentile men lead in prayer “everywhere,” not restricted to the temple or in other sacred places.
The Jews supposed that if they prayed in the temple at Jerusalem, their prayers would have greater effectiveness. Likewise, the heathen also had the same view in regard to their temples. The New Testament teaches that God may be worshipped anywhere (John 4:20-24; Acts 17:24-25).
The Emphasis is on Holy Hands
The phrase, “lifting up holy hands,” is a figure which indicates holiness and purity of life (cf. Job 17:9; Psalm 24:4; Psalm 26:6; Psalm 73:13; Psalm 134:2; James 4:8). Since Christians are all priests (Revelation 1:6), no man should exercise this priestly function whose life and character is less than that of a consecrated Christian (1 Peter 1:15-16; cf. Hebrews 12:14; Leviticus 11:44). Peter declares in 1 Peter 2:9, that those who make up the church are “an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.”
The ending phrase in verse 8, “without wrath and doubting,” deals with our attitude as we pray. We are not to approach God in prayer in the midst of any disputings, angry contentions, or strife (Mark 9:33-34; Philippians 2:14). We are to offer our prayers before God, having a respectful and humble attitude of mind (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6; cf. Luke 18:13). We are not to “doubt” in our praying to God (James 1:5-8). We must completely trust God in His answer to our prayers.
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