1 Timothy 2:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Lifting up holy hands, &c.— The lifting up of hands in prayer was a very antient custom. See Exodus 17:11.Psalms 134:2; Psalms 141:2.Isaiah 1:15.Lamentations 3:41. The expression of holy hands may allude to the custom of washing their hands before solemn prayer, which prevailed among the Jews; that they might hereby express their desire of inward purity: and the caution against wrath might be more suitable, as the manyinjuries which the Christians received from their persecutors, might tempt them to some imprecations against them, not agreeable to the gentle and benign genius of their holy religion. The apostle might likewise have a view to those imprecatory prayers which the Jews made use of against the Christians,—of which some forms are still extant in their ritual. In this sense the apostle may be understood as endeavouring to restrain all Christians from copying so malignant a temper. Some render the phrase χωρις διαλογισμου, without debate, disputing, or contention; but the common interpretation seems preferable, as it suggests another very important thought, different from that inferred by the word wrath; namely, the absolute necessity of faith in prayer.