1 Timothy 1:12-17
New English Translation
12 I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant[a] man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.[b] 15 This saying[c] is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them![d] 16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that[e] in me as the worst,[f] Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the eternal king,[g] immortal, invisible, the only[h] God, be honor and glory forever and ever![i] Amen.
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- 1 Timothy 1:13 tn Or “violent,” “cruel.”
- 1 Timothy 1:14 tn Grk “with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Timothy 1:15 tn Grk “the saying,” referring to the following citation (see 1 Tim 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8 for other occurrences of this phrase).
- 1 Timothy 1:15 tn Grk “of whom I am the first.”
- 1 Timothy 1:16 tn Grk “but because of this I was treated with mercy, so that…”
- 1 Timothy 1:16 tn Grk “in me first,” making the connection with the last phrase of v. 15.
- 1 Timothy 1:17 tn Or more literally, “king of the ages.”
- 1 Timothy 1:17 tc Most later witnesses (א2 D1 Hc Ψ 1175 1241 1881 M al) have “wise” (σόφῳ, sophō) here (thus, “the only wise God”), while the earlier and better witnesses (א* A D* F G H* 33 1739 lat co) lack this adjective. Although it could be argued that the longer reading is harder since it does not as emphatically affirm monotheism, it is more likely that scribes borrowed σόφῳ from Rom 16:27 (Rom 14:26 in M) where μόνῳ σόφῳ θεῷ (monō sophō theō, “the only wise God”) is textually solid. It is difficult to explain why Alexandrian and Western scribes would omit “wise” in 1 Tim 1:17 while keeping it in Rom 16:27 for a similar benedition.
- 1 Timothy 1:17 tn Grk “unto the ages of the ages,” an emphatic way of speaking about eternity in Greek.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Lexham English Bible
Paul’s Thankfulness for the Mercy Shown to Him
12 I give thanks[a] to the one who strengthens me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful, placing me into ministry,[b] 13 although I[c] was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, but I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord abounded with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But because of this I was shown mercy, in order that in me foremost, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his total patience, for an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, to the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever[d]. Amen.
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- 1 Timothy 1:12 Literally “I have thankfulness”
- 1 Timothy 1:12 Or “service”
- 1 Timothy 1:13 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as concessive
- 1 Timothy 1:17 Literally “to the ages of the ages”
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