Theophylact of Ohrid, on 1Tim 2:8

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

“But how does Christ forbid praying in every place? Does He advise against doing this in public squares, and command entering a room for prayer (Matt. 6:6)? No, Christ does not forbid praying in every place, but teaches not to do so out of vainglory, for show. He mentioned only the room, just as in the saying "let not your left hand know what your right hand does" (Matt. 6:3), He speaks not of hands, but points to the exceeding importance of giving alms without vainglory. Therefore Paul also desires that men pray in every place, since Christ did not forbid this. And he said this in contrast to the Jewish manner of prayer. For prayer among them was performed in one place, that is, in the Temple of Jerusalem. But with us it is not so: grace is boundless, and just as a Christian prays for all, so also in every place. One ought not to deliberate with all carefulness about the place of prayer, but about the manner of it. For he requires hands clean from covetousness, robbery, murders, and wounds — hands full of almsgiving. That is, without bearing grudges or harboring hostility against one's brother. The Apostle teaches that the one who prays should pray without doubt or wavering in his thoughts as to whether or not he will receive what he asks. How then does this happen? He answers: if you ask nothing contrary to His will—nothing unworthy of the King—but ask for everything spiritual, with pure hands and without anger.”

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