1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
V1 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men…” Paul’s priority is prayer. Supplications are praying for another’s needs. Prayers are a general term and applies to “talking” with God. Intercessions are pleading for another’s difficulties, afflictions, and persecutions, and for those who are decision makers (government, etc.). The giving of thanks is just that. We are to pray for all people. All means all. That is the word that the Holy Spirit chose. We have no right to redefine all to mean a special group. If it is a special group, it is not referring to all kinds and classifications of humans. If it were, then we are to only pray for kings and other leaders, bosses, overseers, etc. All means all.
V2 “…for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” When we pray for government leaders, we pray that they would be saved and that God would give them wisdom for us to live in peace and safety and to live as Christians without persecution. The best society is tranquility (gentle and smooth) instead of violence and peaceable (quietness and restful) instead of rioting, etc. Our lives must be approved by God (godly) following the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Reverence refers to respecting leaders and address them appropriately. For other duties towards government, see Romans 13.
V3 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…” God is pleased with these prayers, so we must pray. God wants to hear our voice.
V4 “…who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” God wants all people saved not just a few. If it refers to the Calvinist elect only then that is not “all” people. The Holy Spirit used the word all, so we must not use the secret, specialized dictionary to qualify the meaning. God truly wants all people saved; note Isaiah 45:22 “all the ends of the earth” (the whole sphere). All are invited (it is not even imagined that all would mean anything else) as Revelation 22:17 and John 3:16. This open invitation (John 3:16) has a warning (John 3:18). Any is able, after God initiates salvation and frees our enslaved will, to receive (take hold of, grab) God’s offer as in John 1:12. Some will (Colossians 2:6-7) and some refuse as in John 8:24, Proverbs 1:29, and Mark 16:16.
V5 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus…” There is God (the Trinity) and humans. Humans are enemies of God (Romans 5:10) and slaves of sin (John 8:34 and Romans 6:16-22. The one and only mediator is the Messiah, Jesus. There are no humans that are qualified to be a mediator between humans and God. Moses was mediator for ONLY the Law (Galatians 3:19); Jesus is mediator of grace and truth (John 1:17). Note, Jesus is human. He is the God-Man with two natures and two wills in one person.
V6 “…who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time…” Gave Himself indicates that Jesus was a volunteer. He is a ransom for all. All means all. The provision is available, but will people take God’s offer of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12). Due time = the proper and correct time, the perfect time for Jesus to be born and minister. He gave, that is, a voluntary offering. His motivation is love and desire for all humans without exception be believe and be saved.
V7 “…for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” Paul was appointed to be an Apostle/missionary and preacher. He emphasizes that he is not lying. See Acts 9:15-16.