Theodoret of Cyrus: Christ Savior of All Kinds of People and Lively Faith

Now, he urges them to do this for all people since Christ Jesus also came into the world to save sinners. For kings and all in positions of eminence (v.2). It was very wise of him to include what is common to all people lest anyone take the prayer for kings as flattery. Since at that time godless people held power and enemies of religion were in the public eye, he brings out the reasonableness of prayer being made for them. So that we may pass a peaceful and quiet life in all piety and reverence: with them keeping the peace, we share the tranquility and keep the laws in quiet godliness. He associated reverence with piety to emphasize that faith requires actions; for a similar reason those of the Jews who were captives in Babylon wrote to those left behind in Judea to offer prayer for Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar. The divine apostle recommends prayers be offered on their behalf not only for this reason but also that they give up godlessness and acquire piety in its place.

- Theodoret of Cyrus (around A.D. 393 to around A.D. 457), Commentary on 1 Timothy, Chapter 2, in Theodoret of Cyrus, Commentary on the Letters of St. Paul, Volume 2, p. 213-14 (2001), Robert C. Hill translator.