Augustine of Hippo, on 1Tim 2:8

“I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention.”

“He must be quite cognizant, certain and confident of his own innocence who stretches out and extends his hands to God. Hence the apostle says, "I wish then that men pray everywhere, lifting up pure hands." He rightly lifts his hands to God, he pours forth prayers with a good conscience, who can say, "You know, O Lord, how holy, how innocent, how pure from every fraud, injury and plunder are the hands which I lift up to you; how unstained and free from all deceit are the lips with which I pour forth prayers to you so that you may have pity on me." Such a person deserves to be heard quickly and can obtain what he asks even before he has finished his prayer.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.