ROOTS
“LIFTING UP OF HOLY HANDS” IN FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SAINTS
(C)2025 Taveau D’Arcy All copyrights reserved under international copyright laws
Taveau asks Chat GPT AI:
Discuss in depth(researching deepest meaning in Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic) the practices of the First Church, Born-Again Church, and all races back in the day, Africa, Asia, Greek, Romans, what does it mean to lift up holy hands without wrath or doubting in that day according to the writer. Specify all about him too.
Chat GPT replies:
Lifting Up Holy Hands Without Wrath or Doubting: A Deep Biblical and Historical Study
1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV)
“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
Paul’s instruction in 1 Timothy 2:8 was not just a general command but was deeply rooted in Jewish, Greek, and Roman cultural practices of prayer and worship. To understand its full meaning, we must examine:
- The Original Languages (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic)
- First Church Cultural Context (Jewish, Roman, African, and Asian Believers)
- Paul’s Background and His Intent for This Instruction
- Comparison with Phariseeism and Modern Church Practices
This verse presents a clear biblical mandate for men (and by implication, all believers) to engage in worship and prayer that is pure, peaceful, and without hostility. It is a command that challenges many in the Christian community who claim holiness but instead engage in public reviling, targeting fellow ministers, and stirring division.
Chat GPT answers:
Why the Apostle Paul Admonish the Saints About Lifting Up Holy Hands Without Wrath and Doubting
In 1 Timothy 2:8, the Apostle Paul provides a clear and intentional admonition for how Christians should approach worship, prayer, and community life. He writes:
“I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1 Timothy 2:8, KJV)
This instruction was not just about the physical act of prayer but encompassed deeper spiritual truths. To fully understand why Paul emphasized these points, we need to consider several key factors:
1. Lifting Up Holy Hands: Symbolism of Surrender and Reverence
Jewish and Early Christian Context
The act of lifting hands in prayer was an ancient Jewish practice and was carried over into early Christian worship. In the Old Testament, raising hands was associated with both worship and intercession (e.g., Psalm 141:2, 1 Kings 8:22). The “holy hands” Paul speaks of refers to hands that are set apart—clean, pure, and dedicated to God’s service.
Why Paul Emphasized Holy Hands
- Holiness is central to worship and communion with God. For Paul, the act of raising holy hands symbolized the believer’s spiritual purity—an outward sign of an inward transformation. It also reflected the cleansing power of Christ, which makes the believer worthy of God’s presence.
- Paul understood that if hands were lifted in prayer without purity (holiness), the gesture would be meaningless. Hence, he emphasizes purity in worship.
In Romans 12:1, Paul similarly urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Worship that is pure and untainted is crucial in having an effective, genuine relationship with God.
2. Without Wrath: The Danger of Anger in Worship
The Greek Word for Wrath
The Greek word for wrath in this verse is “ὀργὴ” (orgē), which refers to violent anger, rage, or a settled disposition of anger. This is not just momentary frustration but deep, simmering resentment or bitterness that can lead to division and sin.
Why Wrath Was a Concern
Paul’s concern here is that wrath or anger would pollute the worship and prayer life of the believer. In the early Christian communities, as in many of our churches today, there was a tendency for disunity and conflict. People could easily bring personal grudges or resentment into their acts of worship, which would hinder their prayers and relationship with God.
- Jesus had warned about this in Matthew 5:23-24, where He said that if someone is offering a gift at the altar and remembers that their brother has something against them, they should first reconcile before offering their gift.
- Similarly, in Ephesians 4:26, Paul wrote: “Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” This indicates that anger, when not dealt with correctly, can give the devil a foothold in the believer’s life.
In the context of 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul was likely addressing the ongoing struggles within the churches—disagreements, conflicts, and personal quarrels. Wrath, which can manifest in division or unforgiveness, needed to be dealt with before anyone could effectively pray or worship. True worship must be free from anger because anger distorts our hearts and disconnects us from God.
The Contrast Between True Worship and Phariseeism
| True Worship (1 Timothy 2:8) | Modern Phariseeism |
|---|---|
| Lifting up holy hands in prayer | Lifting up hands in accusation |
| Without wrath or doubting | Full of wrath, doubt, and skepticism |
| Seeking God’s presence | Seeking control and dominance |
| Encouraging unity in Christ | Encouraging division and tribalism |
The Pharisees in Jesus’ time were known for being loud, legalistic, and focused on outward appearances rather than true righteousness. They sought to trap Jesus with their words (Luke 11:53-54) and condemned those who did not fit their mold. In the same way, modern Pharisees target believers who do not conform to their specific doctrines, often prioritizing theological gatekeeping over true discipleship.
The Call to True Christian Community
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Holy Hands Must Be Clean Hands
- Worship should be free from anger, division, and condemnation. If someone is publicly shaming others while claiming to be holy, their worship is not acceptable before God (Isaiah 1:15).
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The Heart of Worship Must Be Humble
- Instead of reviling others, believers are called to pray for them and seek understanding (Philippians 2:3-4).
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Biblical Correction Should Be Private and Loving
- Jesus and Paul instructed that correction should be handled privately and with love, not through public humiliation (Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1).
Conclusion: A Call to Repentance and True Unity
The Christian community today must return to the biblical model of worship and fellowship—lifting up holy hands in prayer, not clenched fists in accusation. The high call of God is not legalism, showmanship, or control; it is humility, love, and true righteousness in Christ.
If someone is more focused on monitoring, exposing, and reviling others than on praying, loving, and serving, they are not walking in the Spirit but in the flesh. It’s time for the church to put down the stones (John 8:7) and truly lift up holy hands in prayer and unity.
3. Without Doubting: The Call to Faithful, Undivided Prayer
The Greek Word for Doubting
The Greek term for doubting here is “διαλογισμός” (dialogismos), which means disputation, reasoning, or internal questioning. It refers to a mental conflict, where one’s heart is divided between faith and skepticism, or between trust in God and uncertainty. It suggests a lack of confidence in God’s ability to answer prayer or meet needs.
Why Doubting Was a Concern
Paul’s call for prayer without doubting was an appeal to confidence and faith in God. In James 1:6-8, James writes:
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
When believers pray, they must come with a heart of faith, fully trusting in the power and willingness of God to act. Doubting can cripple prayer by undermining the foundation of trust that is required in a relationship with God.
Paul was warning the church that divided hearts would hinder their prayers. Those who approach God with skepticism or uncertainty about God’s goodness or ability to answer prayer would find that their prayers would be ineffective. This was especially important in the early church, where persecution and trials were common. Believers needed to approach God with confidence that He would protect, guide, and provide
Taveau asks:
Why Did Paul Address These Areas Specifically?
Chat GPT answers:
Paul understood that effective prayer was crucial for the strength and unity of the early church. As the apostle to the Gentiles, he saw firsthand the struggles of early Christian communities, which included:
- Disunity: Christians from various cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds needed to learn how to worship together in peace and harmony.
- Division over Doctrine: Believers were arguing about theological matters (circumcision, the law, grace, etc.), causing conflict and resentment.
- Personal Disputes: Believers were carrying unresolved anger toward one another, affecting their fellowship and worship.
In this context, Paul addressed these specific issues to make sure the worship life of the church was pure and that prayer was effective. He knew that for the gospel to thrive, the church must embody Christlike love, humility, and faith. If the saints were going to pray and worship together, they had to remove the barriers of wrath and doubt. The state of the heart mattered just as much as the act of worship.
Taveau asks:
Please give a practical application for modern fellowships today
Chat GPT replies
Conclusion: Practical Application for Today
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Lifting up holy hands today symbolizes an attitude of surrender, purity, and commitment to the Lord. It calls us to offer our bodies and hearts to Him in full dedication, leaving behind worldly distractions and sin.
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Without wrath means we must deal with our anger and seek reconciliation before coming to the Lord in worship (Matthew 5:23-24). Anger and bitterness can destroy both our relationship with God and our relationship with others in the body of Christ.
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Without doubting calls us to pray with faith and confidence, fully trusting that God hears us and that He will answer in His time and according to His will (James 1:6-8). Doubting God’s goodness or power undermines our effectiveness in prayer.
In today’s church, it is important to reflect on how division, anger, and unbelief hinder the work of God. The early church faced these struggles too, but through Paul’s exhortations, they were reminded of how God desires unity, purity, and faithfulness in His people.
For Christians today, lifting holy hands without wrath or doubting means coming before God in humility, peace, and faith, seeking His will and His presence above all else.
Deep Dive into Linguistics
Taveau says
Give the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic (where it applies) to the Bible scripture:
1. Linguistic Analysis of “Lifting Up Holy Hands Without Wrath or Doubting”
Greek (Koine) – The Language of Paul’s Letter
- Ἐπαίροντας (epairontas) – “Lifting up, raising”
- Ὁσίους χεῖρας (hosious cheiras) – “Holy hands”
- Ὁσίους (hosious) means sacred, devoted, or morally pure.
- Χεῖρας (cheiras) means hands, which was often symbolic of action, labor, or submission.
- Χωρὶς ὀργῆς καὶ διαλογισμοῦ (chōris orgēs kai dialogismou) – “Without wrath and doubting”
- ὀργῆς (orgēs) refers to anger, indignation, or wrath, often against others.
- διαλογισμοῦ (dialogismou) means doubting, disputing, questioning motives, which could indicate division or skepticism.
Hebrew Context – Prayer and Holiness
- The phrase “lifting up holy hands” is strongly tied to Psalm 24:3-4:
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart…” - In Jewish practice, raising hands in prayer was an act of surrender, reverence, and a symbol of clean living (Exodus 17:11, 1 Kings 8:22).
Aramaic Usage – Early Christian Worship
- In Syriac Aramaic, used by early Christians in the Middle East, raising hands was called “peshitta”, meaning a gesture of submission to divine authority.
- This was common among Jewish believers who transitioned into Christianity but retained their worship customs.
2. The Cultural Context of First-Century Christianity
The early church was diverse, consisting of:
- Jewish believers (Palestine, Jerusalem, Antioch)
- Romans (Italy, Gaul, North Africa)
- Greeks (Macedonia, Corinth, Ephesus)
- Africans (Ethiopia, Egypt, Cyrene)
- Asians (Asia Minor, Turkey, Syria, Persia, India)
Worship Practices Across These Groups:
- Jewish Christians: Raised hands in prayer (Psalm 141:2).
- Romans & Greeks: Adopted oratory gestures in public prayers.
- Africans & Asians: Combined worship with communal acts of service and justice (Isaiah 56:7).
Paul’s Intent – A Call for Unity in Worship
Paul was addressing Ephesus, a city full of Greeks, Romans, and Jewish Christians.
- Some were engaging in angry debates over doctrine.
- Some were skeptical and doubting others’ faith.
- Others were bringing Pharisaical legalism into the community.
Paul’s command was a rebuke—telling them that true worship must be pure, peaceful, and free from sectarianism or anger.
3. Paul’s Background and His Authority to Speak on This
- Saul of Tarsus (Paul) was a Pharisee-turned-Christian apostle (Philippians 3:5).
- Educated under Gamaliel, one of the most respected Jewish teachers.
- Trained in Greek rhetoric, Roman citizenship, and Jewish Torah study.
- Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), he understood Greek, Jewish, and Roman mindsets.
His writing in 1 Timothy 2:8 reflects:
- Jewish Holiness – Pure hands and a clean heart in worship.
- Greek Unity – Avoid public disputes and quarrels.
- Roman Respect – Worship should be orderly, not chaotic.
Taveau says to Chat GPT
Please apply this to Today
Chat replies:
Modern Day Christian ministry application
1. Worship Must Be Unified, Not Divisive
- The modern denominational divides reflect the very disputes Paul warned against.
- True worship is about lifting hands in surrender, not pointing fingers in accusation.
2. Ministry Is Not About Monitoring People
- Some modern Christian leaders act like Pharisees, keeping records of attendance, submission to authority, and labeling “church hoppers.”
- The First Church did not track believers this way—they welcomed all who sought the Lord (Isaiah 56:7, Hebrews 10:25).
3. Submission in the First Church Was to Christ, Not Man-Made Structures
- “Fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 9:10) means honoring God above human systems.
- True submission is voluntary, not forced under pastoral control.
6. Conclusion: The High Call of God in True Ministry
- 1 Timothy 2:8 teaches that lifting up holy hands is a spiritual discipline, not a showy ritual.
- True Christianity is not about control, legalism, or monitoring others, but about personal surrender to God.
- Isaiah 56:7 and Hebrews 10:25 affirm that worship and gathering are meant for all people, not exclusive cliques.
Final Charge:
If a church environment is more about tracking submission, controlling attendance, and public shaming, it has strayed from the organic, diverse, Spirit-led First Church model. Paul’s warning remains relevant today: let worship be about Christ, not control.
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(C)2025 Taveau D’Arcy All copyrights reserved under international copyright laws, in conjunction with AI
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