Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
Summary: In this meditation, we look at the rest of this verse, focusing on the meaning of “holy hands.”
Before we leave this passage, we need to examine how Paul wants us to pray. He is quite specific, and it is worth taking a few minutes to consider what he is saying.
The first thing he says is that we should lift up “holy hands” in prayer. What is he talking about?
In the days of King David, he writes:
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god. (Psalm 24:3-4)
Later, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, James writes: “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8b)
“Holy hands” and a “pure heart” go together. A pure heart is one that knows it stands naked before the Lord. Holy hands do not hide anything. They are not dirtied by trying to hide anything from the Lord. You might say that clean hands and a clean heart go together.
The second thing Paul asks is that we pray without “anger or disputing.”
Why?
Can we be angry with our brother and still be right with the Lord? I don’t think so. Jesus says:
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:22)
Which leaves us with “disputing.” For some reason, Paul doesn’t want us arguing or debating. Or does he?
The actual word Paul used was “dialogismos” (Strong’s G1261)*. This word is very interesting because it has more to do with how we feel inside than what we say outside.
An actual dispute can involve an honest difference of opinion. Paul knows this and doesn’t shy away from disputes. When certain people were teaching the believers that they needed to be circumcised, Luke reports that “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.” (Acts 15:2)
The word Paul used in his letter to Timothy actually describes someone who harbors doubts and argues in his own mind, which brings us full circle. Paul is really saying that we should lift up holy hands with a pure heart.
Application: Examine your own heart before the Lord.
Food for Thought: Why is it important to be right with God in our hearts?
*”G1261 – dialogismos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 31 Mar, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1261/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
Very simply put, it is important to me to be right with God in my heart because I don’t want anything to get in the way of that relationship being as good as it can be. Of course, when it is not, I know I am the reason. Prayer, confession, thanksgiving are all tools to help mend that relationship where I have failed it.
Thank you, Rich!
I love the emphasis on relationship! He is, after all, our Father! 🙂
Why is it important to be right with God in our hearts?
When I read this question I hear “to be right with God is to be at peace with Him.” Peace with God comes first through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our heart is right with God because He no longer sees the sin within us, but rather He sees Christ who lives in us.
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:14–16
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Peace with God then comes through our transformation from our old nature to our new nature; a nature that becomes Christ-like and embodies the very character of God Himself. We are right with God not because of our works, but because our heart emulates God’s own heart.
Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Colossians 3:12–15
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Peace with God then comes through our obedience to Christ and His Gospel, our works are His works, and we act in full confidence of His righteousness. We are right with God because we act in faith to Him, loving Him and others as He loves us, holding to the truth, and accountable to God.
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Thank you, Chris!
“Our heart is right with God because He no longer sees the sin within us, but rather He sees Christ who lives in us.”
This is true, but you also add “transformation” and “obedience.” They are all aspects of a whole relationship with the Father.