Thomas Aquinas, on 1Tim 2:8

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

“Then when he says, I will, therefore, he comes down to the specific types of men. In regard to this he does two things: first, he instructs the men about prayer; second, the women, at in like manner, women also. He says, I will, therefore, that men pray. And he requires three things of men in prayer: that it be assiduous, pure and quiet. Assiduous, because it should take place at all times and in every place. And he says, I will, because it is good for a man to pray; and I, your teacher, will that men pray in every place and not only at Jerusalem, as the Jews, or not only on Mount Garizim, as the Samaritans (John 4:20-21). For a man can pray spiritually and mentally everywhere: they shall adore him, every man from his own place, all the islands of the gentiles (Zeph 1:11). But why does the Lord rebuke the Pharisees for praying as they stood on the street corners? (Matt 6:5). The answer is that mental prayer can be performed anywhere; but the external signs of prayer should not be performed everywhere, because a man should not appear singular in his outward actions because of the danger of doing them out of vain glory. But why do people build churches? I answer that it is not because the place is necessary for prayer, but for the convenience of the one who prays, i.e., to have solitude and quiet. Prayer should be pure; hence he says, lifting up pure hands. As Augustine says: whatever we do externally when we pray is done for the sake of stirring up our affections. For genuflections and the like are not of themselves pleasing to God, but only because by them, as by signs of humility, a man is internally humble; just as lifting the hands indicates that the heart has been lifted up: let us lift up our heart with our hands to the Lord in the heavens (Lam 3:41). Lifting up pure hands, i.e., praying with a devout heart: yet if you will arrive early to God and will beseech the Almighty; if you will walk clean and upright, he will presently wake unto you and will make the dwelling of your justice peaceable (Job 8:5). Prayer should be quiet, i.e., without anger and contention. And he mentions these two things: first, that the mind be without anger which disquiets the soul to inflict harm upon one's neighbor, whereas the mind of the one praying should be free of this: man to man reserves anger, and does he seek remedy of God? (Sir 28:3). Prayer should be free of contention which can mean two things: first, according to a Gloss, that we not contend against God, disbelieving his words and murmuring against his commandments: O man, who are you who replies against God (Rom 9:20). Second, that we not contend against our neighbor, or break the peace with him through contention; for peace is necessary to the man who prays: if two of you shall consent upon earth concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father (Matt 18:19).”

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