Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions and Giving of Thanks

1 Timothy 2:1  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Question: 1 Tim. 2:11I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1). What is the difference between “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks”? E.P.
Answer: One cannot do better than answer in the words of the late Editor of this Magazine:
“‘Supplication’ implies earnestness in pressing the suit of need; ‘prayer’ is more general, and puts forward wants and wishes; ‘intercession’ means the exercise of free and confiding intercourse, whether for ourselves or for others; and ‘thanksgiving’ [‘giving of thanks’] tells out the heart’s sense of favor bestowed or counted on.”
For the sake of some who may not have at hand the usual works of reference, we may add that the first (δέησις) occurs nineteen times in the New Testament, and is rendered once by “request” (Phil. 1:44Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (Philippians 1:4)); six times by “supplication” (Acts 1:1414These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (Acts 1:14); Eph. 6:1818Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18) bis; Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6); 1 Tim. 2:1, 51I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1)
5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)); and twelve times by “prayer” (Luke 1:13; 2:37; 5:3313But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (Luke 1:13)
37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. (Luke 2:37)
33And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? (Luke 5:33); Rom. 10:1; 21Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (Romans 10:1)
1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (Romans 2:1) Cor. 1:11, 9:14; Phil. 1:4, 194Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (Philippians 1:4)
19For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (Philippians 1:19); 2 Tim. 1:33I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; (2 Timothy 1:3); Heb. 5:77Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (Hebrews 5:7); James 5:1616Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16); 1 Peter 3:1212For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)).
The second (προσευχή), being the more general word, occurs thirty-seven times, and is, throughout, translated “prayer,” see margin of James 5:1717Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (James 5:17).
Whilst the last (εὐχαριστία), occurring fifteen times, is rendered by “thankfulness,” Acts 24:33We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. (Acts 24:3); “giving of thanks,” 1 Cor. 14:1616Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (1 Corinthians 14:16); Eph. 5:44Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4); 1 Tim. 2:11I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1); “thanks,” 1 Thess. 3:99For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; (1 Thessalonians 3:9); Rev. 4:99And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (Revelation 4:9); and by “thanksgiving” nine times, 2 Cor. 4:15; 9:11, 1215For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15)
11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; (2 Corinthians 9:11‑12); Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6); Col. 2:7; 4:27Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:7)
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2); 1 Tim. 4:3, 43Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: (1 Timothy 4:3‑4); Rev. 7:1212Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7:12).