1 Timothy 1 17

1 Timothy 1:17 kjv

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17 nkjv

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17 niv

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17 esv

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17 nlt

All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

1 Timothy 1 verses

1 Timothy 1 17 Meaning

This verse is a doxology, a hymn of praise and adoration, directed toward God. It celebrates His transcendent and unique nature, ascribing to Him the titles of "King eternal," "immortal," "invisible," and "the only God." The verse declares that all honor and glory are due to Him perpetually, concluding with the emphatic affirmation "Amen." It flows directly from Paul's preceding testimony of God's profound mercy and grace extended even to him, the "foremost of sinners," magnifying the God who accomplished such salvation.

1 Timothy 1 17 Context

1 Timothy chapter 1 primarily concerns Paul's charge to Timothy in Ephesus to address false teachings. Paul contrasts the "sound doctrine" that aligns with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God (vv. 10-11) against "fables and endless genealogies" (vv. 3-4) that promote mere speculation. He defines the purpose of the Law as being for the ungodly and rebellious (vv. 8-10), demonstrating how salvation comes not from legalism but from the transforming grace of God. Paul then uses his own life as a preeminent example of God's incredible patience and mercy, being delivered from his former life as a blasphemer and persecutor to becoming an apostle of Christ (vv. 12-16). Verse 17 erupts as a spontaneous outpouring of praise, directly following Paul's profound reflection on his own salvation. It grounds the truth of the Gospel and Paul's apostolic authority in the glorious, eternal nature of the one true God, thus serving as a theological anchor against the heterodox beliefs Timothy was battling.

1 Timothy 1 17 Word analysis

• Now to the King (Τῷ δὲ Βασιλεῖ - Tō de Basilei):
  • Τῷ δὲ (Tō de): "Now to the" or "But to the." This is a connective phrase that shifts focus, introducing the doxology as a response to the preceding declaration of God's grace to Paul.
  • Βασιλεῖ (Basilei): King, Ruler. Refers to God as the ultimate Sovereign. This title underscores His supreme authority, dominion, and rightful reign over all creation and ages. It resonates with Old Testament portrayals of Yahweh as the great King (e.g., Ps 99:1).
• eternal (τῶν αἰώνων - tōn aiōnōn):
  • Literally "of the ages" or "of eternities." This idiomatic expression denotes boundless time, signifying God's timelessness, His existence before and beyond all ages. He is the one who transcends time, the uncreated creator of time itself. This directly contrasts with finite, temporal rulers and gods made by human hands.
• immortal (ἀφθάρτῳ - aphthartō):
  • Meaning imperishable, uncorruptible, indestructible, deathless. This attribute asserts God's intrinsic and eternal life, not subject to decay, death, or change. He is the ultimate source of life, not dependent on anything for His existence. This sets God apart from all created beings and false deities often depicted as vulnerable or decaying. (Ref. 1 Tim 6:16, Rom 1:23).
• invisible (ἀοράτῳ - aoratō):
  • Meaning unseen, unperceived. This emphasizes God's spiritual and transcendent nature; He cannot be grasped by human senses or physical sight. His essence is beyond material perception. This also differentiates Him from idols that are visible and tangible but powerless (Ref. Jn 1:18, Col 1:15).
• the only God (μóνῳ Θεῷ - monō Theō):
  • μóνῳ (monō): Only, alone.
  • Θεῷ (Theō): God. This foundational statement unequivocally asserts absolute monotheism. There is one unique and supreme God, unequivocally distinguishing Him from any other purported deities, particularly within the polytheistic context of Ephesus. This counters any tendency to elevate other beings or spiritual powers to a divine level. (Ref. Deut 6:4, Is 44:6).
• be honor and glory (τιμὴ καὶ δόξα - timē kai doxa):
  • τιμὴ (timē): Honor, worth, value, reverence, respect.
  • δόξα (doxa): Glory, majesty, splendor, renown, reputation. These are expressions of ultimate reverence and worship. They are the appropriate human response to God's inherent majesty, attributes, and acts of salvation. It is an acknowledgement that He alone deserves supreme praise and worship.
• forever and ever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων - eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn):
  • Literally "unto the ages of the ages." This is a powerful, superlative Greek idiom for eternal duration, emphasizing that the honor and glory given to God are not limited by time but extend into infinity, without end.
• Amen (Ἀμήν - Amēn):
  • A Hebrew transliteration meaning "so be it," "truly," or "let it be so." It serves as a firm affirmation, signifying the speaker's agreement with and heartfelt endorsement of the preceding declaration, making the doxology personal and conclusive.

Word-Groups analysis:

• King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God: This quartet of divine attributes forms a theological crescendo, beginning with God's reigning status ("King") and adding descriptors of His inherent nature: His timelessness ("eternal"), His incorruptibility ("immortal"), His transcendence ("invisible"), and finally His absolute uniqueness and sole divinity ("the only God"). This cumulative description presents God as truly incomparable and sovereign.
• be honor and glory forever and ever: This phrase encapsulates the purpose and duration of the doxology. It's a declaration of worship and a commitment to perpetually ascribe the highest praise and recognition to this unparalleled God. The pairing of "honor" (recognition of worth) and "glory" (expression of majesty) is comprehensive, ensuring that all aspects of proper reverence are offered.

1 Timothy 1 17 Bonus section

• Purpose of Paul's Doxologies: Paul frequently punctuates his epistles with doxologies (e.g., Rom 11:36, Gal 1:5, Phil 4:20, Eph 3:21). These are not accidental; they often serve as climaxes to theological arguments or expressions of profound gratitude for God's redemptive work. In this case, it flows naturally from the overwhelming grace Paul experienced.
• Against Contemporary Polemics: The description of God here is inherently polemical.
  • "King eternal" challenges earthly empires and their temporary rulers.
  • "Immortal" contradicts the transient and often corruptible nature of mythological gods and idols.
  • "Invisible" stands in stark contrast to visible, material idols that can be seen and handled but are lifeless.
  • "The only God" directly refutes the prevalent polytheism and pantheon of deities in the Greco-Roman world, asserting the exclusive claim of Yahweh.
• Implications for Sound Doctrine: The verse, by its very nature, provides the theological grounding for "sound doctrine" (1 Tim 1:10). If God possesses these attributes, then teachings that undermine His uniqueness, sovereignty, or eternal nature are by definition unsound and worthy of correction. It sets the standard for understanding God.
• Application for Believers: This doxology serves as a timeless call to worship. It reminds believers of the unparalleled nature of the God they serve, inspiring awe, trust, and complete devotion, acknowledging His sole worthiness of all praise for all time.

1 Timothy 1 17 Commentary

1 Timothy 1:17 is a profound burst of praise that solidifies Paul's earlier discussion on sound doctrine. After recounting God's astounding grace in his own life, Paul instinctively elevates the One worthy of such redemptive power. This doxology is not merely a devotional flourish but a foundational theological statement. It asserts essential truths about God's nature, combating the false teachings Timothy faced. By proclaiming God as the "King eternal," Paul emphasizes His sovereignty over all creation and time, providing ultimate stability against shifting human ideologies. "Immortal" underscores God's unique self-existence and His being the fount of all life, directly opposing the fragility and decay inherent in pagan deities or created beings. "Invisible" points to God's transcendence, a Spirit whom no human can physically behold, humbling finite humanity before infinite majesty. Crucially, "the only God" stands as an unyielding declaration of monotheism in a world teeming with polytheistic worship (e.g., the prevalent worship of Artemis in Ephesus). These attributes paint a picture of a God utterly supreme, worthy of all "honor and glory forever and ever," sealing the truth of His unparalleled majesty with a resounding "Amen." This serves as both a declaration of truth for Timothy's ministry and a model for reverent, sound theological reflection.