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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 1:17 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Ti 1:17 |
Strong Concordance |
Now [1161] unto the King [935] eternal [165], immortal [862], invisible [517], the only [3441] wise [4680] God [2316], be honour [5092] and [2532] glory [1391] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281]. |
| |
King James |
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
A suitable conclusion to the beautifully simple enunciation of the Gospel, of which his own history is a living sample or pattern. It is from the experimental sense of grace that the doxology flows [BENGEL].
the King, eternal--literally, "King of the (eternal) ages." The Septuagint translates Exo 15:18, "The Lord shall reign for ages and beyond them." Psa 145:13, Margin, "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom," literally, "a kingdom of all ages." The "life everlasting" (Ti1 1:16) suggested here "the King eternal," or everlasting. It answers also to "for ever and ever" at the close, literally, "to the ages of the ages" (the countless succession of ages made up of ages).
immortal--The oldest manuscripts read, "incorruptible." The Vulgate, however, and one very old manuscript read as English Version (Rom 1:23).
invisible-- (Ti1 6:16; Exo 33:20; Joh 1:18; Col 1:15; Heb 11:27).
the only wise God--The oldest manuscripts omit "wise," which probably crept in from Rom 16:27, where it is more appropriate to the context than here (compare Jde 1:25). "The only Potentate" (Ti1 6:15; Psa 86:10; Joh 5:44).
for ever, &c.--See note, above. The thought of eternity (terrible as it is to unbelievers) is delightful to those assured of grace (Ti1 1:16) [BENGEL]. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Now unto the king eternal - This ascription of praise is offered to God in view of the mercy which he had shown to so great a sinner. It is the outbreak of that grateful emotion which swelled his bosom, and which would not be denied expression, when Paul recalled his former life and the mercy of God to his soul. It somewhat interrupts indeed the train of his remarks, but the heart was so full that it demanded utterance. It is just an instance of the joy and gratitude which fill the soul of a Christian when he is led along in a train of reflections which conduct him to the recollections of his former sin and danger, and to the fact that he has obtained mercy and has now the hope of heaven. The apostle Paul not unfrequently, in accordance with a mode of writing that was common among the Hebrews, interposes an expression of praise in the midst of his reasonings; compare Rom 1:25; Co2 11:31. God is called King here, as he is often in the Scriptures, to denote that he rules over the universe. A literal translation of the passage would be, "To the King of ages, who is immortal," etc. The meaning of this expression - "the King of ages" - βασιλει τὼν αἰώνων basilei tōn aiōnōn - is, that he is a king who rules throughout all ages. This does not mean that he himself lives for ever, but that his dominion extends over all ages or generations. The rule of earthly monarchs does not extend into successive ages; his does. Their reign is temporary; his is enduring, and continues as one generation after another passes on, and thus embraces them all.
Immortal - This refers to God himself, not to his reign. It means that he does not die, and it is given to him to distinguish him from other sovereigns. All other monarchs but God expire - and are just as liable to die at any moment as any other people.
Invisible - Ti1 6:16; see the notes on Joh 1:18.
The only wise God - notes, Rom 16:27. The word "wise" is missing in many mss., and in some editions of the New Testament. It is omitted by Griesbach; marked as doubtful by Tittman, and rejected in the valuable edition of Hahn. Erasmus conjectures that it was added against the Arians, who maintained that the Father only was God, and that as he is here mentioned as such, the word wise was interpolated to denote merely that the attribute of perfect wisdom belonged only to him. Wetstein regards the reading as genuine, and suspects that in some of the early manuscripts where it is missing it was omitted by the transcriber, because it was regarded as inelegant for two adjectives to be united in this manner. It is not easy to determine as to the genuineness of the reading. The sense is not materially affected, whichever view be adopted. It is true that Yahweh is the only God; it is also true that he is the only wise God. The gods of the pagan are "vanity and a lie," and they are wholly destitute of wisdom; see Psa 115:3-8; Psa 135:15-18; Isa 40:18-20; Isa 44:10-17.
Be honour - Let there be all the respect and veneration shown to him which is his due.
And glory - Praise. Let him be praised by all for ever.
Amen - So be it; an expression of strong affirmation; Joh 3:3. Here it is used to denote the solemn assent of the heart to the sentiment conveyed by the words used; see the Mat 6:13 note; Co1 14:16 note. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
immortal
Incorruptible.
invisible
(See Scofield) - (Joh 1:18). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
King eternal (βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων)
Lit. the king of the ages. Only here and Rev 15:3. Comp. Heb 1:2; Heb 11:3. In lxx, Tob. 6:10. For kindred expressions in lxx, see Exodus 15:18; 1 Samuel 13:13; Psalm 9:7; 28:10; 73:12; 144:13; 145:10. See also additional note on Th2 1:9.
Immortal (ἀφθάρτῳ)
Lit. Incorruptible. In Paul, applied to God only, Rom 1:23.
Invisible (ἀοράτῳ)
Applied to God, Col 1:15; Heb 11:27.
The only wise God (μόνῳ θεῷ)
Wise should be omitted. Rend. The only God. Σοφῷ wise was interpolated from Rom 16:27 - the only instance in which Paul applies the term to God. Comp. Jde 1:4, Jde 1:25; Luk 5:21; Joh 5:44.
Honor and glory (τιμὴ καὶ δόξα)
This combination in doxology only here and Rev 5:12, Rev 5:13. Comp. Rev 4:9. In doxologies Paul uses only δόξα glory, with the article, the glory, and with to whom or to him (be).
Forever and ever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων)
Lit unto the aeons of the aeons. The formula in Paul, Rom 16:26; Gal 1:5; Phi 4:20. Also in Hebrews and 1 Peter, and often in Revelation The doxology as a whole is unique in N.T. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| The King of eternity - A phrase frequent with the Hebrews. How unspeakably sweet is the thought of eternity to believers! |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Now unto the King eternal - This burst of thanksgiving and gratitude to God, naturally arose from the subject then under his pen and eye. God has most wondrously manifested his mercy, in this beginning of the Gospel, by saving me, and making me a pattern to all them that shall hereafter believe on Christ. He is βασιλευς των αιωνων, the king of eternities; the eternity a parte ante, and the eternity a parte post; the eternity that was before time was, and the eternity that shall be when time is no more. Therefore, ever living to justify and save sinners, to the end of the world.
Immortal - Αφθαρτῳ· Incorruptible - not liable to decay or corruption; a simple uncompounded essence, incapable, therefore, of decomposition, and consequently permanent and eternal. One MS., the later Syriac in the margin, the Vulgate, one copy of the Itala, and some of the Latin fathers, read αθανατῳ, immortal, which our translation follows; but it is not the original reading.
Invisible - Αορατῳ· One who fills all things, works everywhere, and yet is invisible to angels and men; the perfect reverse of false gods and idols, who are confined to one spot, work nowhere, and, being stocks and stones, are seen by every body.
The only wise God - The word σοφῳ wise, is omitted by AD*FG, Syriac, Erpen's Arabic, Coptic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and Itala. Some of the Greek fathers quote it sometimes, and omit it at others; which shows that it was an unsettled reading, probably borrowed from Rom 16:27 (note). Griesbach leaves it out of the text. Without it the reading is very strong and appropriate: To the only God; nothing visible or invisible being worthy of adoration but himself.
Be honor - All the respect and reverence that can be paid by intelligent beings, ascribing to him at the same time all the glory - excellences, and perfections, which can be possessed by an intelligent, unoriginated, independent, and eternal Being; and this for ever and ever-through eternity. |
16 Howbeit [235] for this [5124] cause [1223] I obtained mercy [1653], that [2443] in [1722] me [1698] first [4413] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] might shew forth [1731] all [3956] longsuffering [3115], for [4314] a pattern [5296] to them which should hereafter [3195] believe [4100] on [1909] him [846] to [1519] life [2222] everlasting [166].
44 How [4459] can [1410] ye [5210] believe [4100], which receive [2983] honour [1391] one of another [3844] [240], and [2532] seek [2212] not [3756] the honour [1391] that cometh from [3844] God [2316] only [3441]?
10 For thou art great [01419], and doest [06213] wondrous things [06381]: thou art God [0430] alone.
15 Which [3739] in his [2398] times [2540] he shall shew [1166], who [3588] is the blessed [3107] and [2532] only [3441] Potentate [1413], the King [935] of kings [936], and [2532] Lord [2962] of lords [2961];
25 To the only [3441] wise [4680] God [2316] our [2257] Saviour [4990], be glory [1391] and [2532] majesty [3172], dominion [2904] and [2532] power [1849], both [2532] now [3568] and [2532] ever [1519] [3956] [165]. Amen [281].
27 To God [2316] only [3441] wise [4680], be glory [1391] through [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
27 By faith [4102] he forsook [2641] Egypt [125], not [3361] fearing [5399] the wrath [2372] of the king [935]: for [1063] he endured [2594], as [5613] seeing [3708] him who is invisible [517].
15 Who [3739] is [2076] the image [1504] of the invisible [517] God [2316], the firstborn [4416] of every [3956] creature [2937]:
18 No man [3762] hath seen [3708] God [2316] at any time [4455]; the only begotten [3439] Son [5207], which [3588] is [5607] in [1519] the bosom [2859] of the Father [3962], he [1565] hath declared [1834] him.
20 And he said [0559], Thou canst [03201] not see [07200] my face [06440]: for there shall no man [0120] see [07200] me, and live [02425].
16 Who [3588] only [3441] hath [2192] immortality [110], dwelling [3611] in the light [5457] which no man [3762] can approach unto [676]; whom [3739] no man [444] hath seen [1492], nor [3761] can [1410] see [1492]: to whom [3739] be honour [5092] and [2532] power [2904] everlasting [166]. Amen [281].
23 And [2532] changed [236] the glory [1391] of the uncorruptible [862] God [2316] into [1722] an image [1504] made like [3667] to corruptible [5349] man [444], and [2532] to birds [4071], and [2532] fourfooted beasts [5074], and [2532] creeping things [2062].
16 Howbeit [235] for this [5124] cause [1223] I obtained mercy [1653], that [2443] in [1722] me [1698] first [4413] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] might shew forth [1731] all [3956] longsuffering [3115], for [4314] a pattern [5296] to them which should hereafter [3195] believe [4100] on [1909] him [846] to [1519] life [2222] everlasting [166].
13 Thy kingdom [04438] is an everlasting [05769] kingdom [04438], and thy dominion [04475] endureth throughout all [01755] generations [01755].
18 The LORD [03068] shall reign [04427] for ever [05769] and ever [05703].
16 Else [1893] when [1437] thou shalt bless [2127] with the spirit [4151], how [4459] shall he that occupieth [378] the room [5117] of the unlearned [2399] say [2046] Amen [281] at [1909] thy [4674] giving of thanks [2169], seeing [1894] he understandeth [1492] not [3756] what [5101] thou sayest [3004]?
13 And [2532] lead [1533] us [2248] not [3361] into [1519] temptation [3986], but [235] deliver [4506] us [2248] from [575] evil [4190]: For [3754] thine [4675] is [2076] the kingdom [932], and [2532] the power [1411], and [2532] the glory [1391], for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
3 Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], Verily [281], verily [281], I say [3004] unto thee [4671], Except [3362] a man [5100] be born [1080] again [509], he cannot [1410] [3756] see [1492] the kingdom [932] of God [2316].
10 Who hath formed [03335] a god [0410], or molten [05258] a graven image [06459] that is profitable [03276] for nothing [01115]?
11 Behold, all his fellows [02270] shall be ashamed [0954]: and the workmen [02796], they are of men [0120]: let them all be gathered together [06908], let them stand up [05975]; yet they shall fear [06342], and they shall be ashamed [0954] together [03162].
12 The smith [01270] [02796] with the tongs [04621] both worketh [06466] in the coals [06352], and fashioneth [03335] it with hammers [04717], and worketh [06466] it with the strength [03581] of his arms [02220]: yea, he is hungry [07457], and his strength [03581] faileth [0369]: he drinketh [08354] no water [04325], and is faint [03286].
13 The carpenter [02796] [06086] stretcheth out [05186] his rule [06957]; he marketh it out [08388] with a line [08279]; he fitteth [06213] it with planes [04741], and he marketh it out [08388] with the compass [04230], and maketh [06213] it after the figure [08403] of a man [0376], according to the beauty [08597] of a man [0120]; that it may remain [03427] in the house [01004].
14 He heweth him down [03772] cedars [0730], and taketh [03947] the cypress [08645] and the oak [0437], which he strengtheneth [0553] for himself among the trees [06086] of the forest [03293]: he planteth [05193] an ash [0766], and the rain [01653] doth nourish [01431] it.
15 Then shall it be for a man [0120] to burn [01197]: for he will take [03947] thereof, and warm [02552] himself; yea, he kindleth [05400] it, and baketh [0644] bread [03899]; yea, he maketh [06466] a god [0410], and worshippeth [07812] it; he maketh [06213] it a graven image [06459], and falleth down [05456] thereto.
16 He burneth [08313] part [02677] thereof in [01119] the fire [0784]; with part [02677] thereof he eateth [0398] flesh [01320]; he roasteth [06740] roast [06748], and is satisfied [07646]: yea, he warmeth [02552] himself, and saith [0559], Aha [01889], I am warm [02552], I have seen [07200] the fire [0217]:
17 And the residue [07611] thereof he maketh [06213] a god [0410], even his graven image [06459]: he falleth down [05456] unto it, and worshippeth [07812] it, and prayeth [06419] unto it, and saith [0559], Deliver [05337] me; for thou art my god [0410].
18 To whom then will ye liken [01819] God [0410]? or what likeness [01823] will ye compare [06186] unto him?
19 The workman [02796] melteth [05258] a graven image [06459], and the goldsmith [06884] spreadeth [07554] it over with gold [02091], and casteth [06884] silver [03701] chains [07577].
20 He that is so impoverished [05533] [05534] that he hath no oblation [08641] chooseth [0977] a tree [06086] that will not rot [07537]; he seeketh [01245] unto him a cunning [02450] workman [02796] to prepare [03559] a graven image [06459], that shall not be moved [04131].
15 The idols [06091] of the heathen [01471] are silver [03701] and gold [02091], the work [04639] of men's [0120] hands [03027].
16 They have mouths [06310], but they speak [01696] not; eyes [05869] have they, but they see [07200] not;
17 They have ears [0241], but they hear [0238] not; neither is there [03426] any breath [07307] in their mouths [06310].
18 They that make [06213] them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth [0982] in them.
3 But our God [0430] is in the heavens [08064]: he hath done [06213] whatsoever he hath pleased [02654].
4 Their idols [06091] are silver [03701] and gold [02091], the work [04639] of men's [0120] hands [03027].
5 They have mouths [06310], but they speak [01696] not: eyes [05869] have they, but they see [07200] not:
6 They have ears [0241], but they hear [08085] not: noses [0639] have they, but they smell [07306] not:
7 They have hands [03027], but they handle [04184] not: feet [07272] have they, but they walk [01980] not: neither speak [01897] they through their throat [01627].
8 They that make [06213] them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth [0982] in them.
27 To God [2316] only [3441] wise [4680], be glory [1391] through [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
18 No man [3762] hath seen [3708] God [2316] at any time [4455]; the only begotten [3439] Son [5207], which [3588] is [5607] in [1519] the bosom [2859] of the Father [3962], he [1565] hath declared [1834] him.
16 Who [3588] only [3441] hath [2192] immortality [110], dwelling [3611] in the light [5457] which no man [3762] can approach unto [676]; whom [3739] no man [444] hath seen [1492], nor [3761] can [1410] see [1492]: to whom [3739] be honour [5092] and [2532] power [2904] everlasting [166]. Amen [281].
31 The God [2316] and [2532] Father [3962] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], which [3588] is [5607] blessed [2128] for [1519] evermore [165], knoweth [1492] that I [3754] lie [5574] not [3756].
25 Who [3748] changed [3337] the truth [225] of God [2316] into [1722] a lie [5579], and [2532] worshipped [4573] and [2532] served [3000] the creature [2937] more than [3844] the Creator [2936], who [3739] is [2076] blessed [2128] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
18 No man [3762] hath seen [3708] God [2316] at any time [4455]; the only begotten [3439] Son [5207], which [3588] is [5607] in [1519] the bosom [2859] of the Father [3962], he [1565] hath declared [1834] him.
20 Now [1161] unto God [2316] and [2532] our [2257] Father [3962] be glory [1391] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281].
5 To whom [3739] be glory [1391] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281].
26 But [1161] now [3568] is made manifest [5319], and [5037] by [1223] the scriptures [1124] of the prophets [4397], according [2596] to the commandment [2003] of the everlasting [166] God [2316], made known [1107] to [1519] all [3956] nations [1484] for [1519] the obedience [5218] of faith [4102]:
9 And [2532] when [3752] those beasts [2226] give [1325] glory [1391] and [2532] honour [5092] and [2532] thanks [2169] to him that sat [2521] on [1909] the throne [2362], who [3588] liveth [2198] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165],
13 And [2532] every [3956] creature [2938] which [3739] is [2076] in [1722] heaven [3772], and [2532] on [1722] the earth [1093], and [2532] under [5270] the earth [1093], and [2532] such as [3739] are [2076] in [1909] the sea [2281], and [2532] all [3956] that are in [1722] them [846], heard I [191] saying [3004], Blessing [2129], and [2532] honour [5092], and [2532] glory [1391], and [2532] power [2904], be unto him that sitteth [2521] upon [1909] the throne [2362], and [2532] unto the Lamb [721] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165].
12 Saying [3004] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], Worthy [514] is [2076] the Lamb [721] that was slain [4969] to receive [2983] power [1411], and [2532] riches [4149], and [2532] wisdom [4678], and [2532] strength [2479], and [2532] honour [5092], and [2532] glory [1391], and [2532] blessing [2129].
44 How [4459] can [1410] ye [5210] believe [4100], which receive [2983] honour [1391] one of another [3844] [240], and [2532] seek [2212] not [3756] the honour [1391] that cometh from [3844] God [2316] only [3441]?
21 And [2532] the scribes [1122] and [2532] the Pharisees [5330] began [756] to reason [1260], saying [3004], Who [5101] is [2076] this [3778] which [3739] speaketh [2980] blasphemies [988]? Who [5101] can [1410] forgive [863] sins [266], but [1508] God [2316] alone [3441]?
25 To the only [3441] wise [4680] God [2316] our [2257] Saviour [4990], be glory [1391] and [2532] majesty [3172], dominion [2904] and [2532] power [1849], both [2532] now [3568] and [2532] ever [1519] [3956] [165]. Amen [281].
4 For [1063] there are certain [5100] men [444] crept in unawares [3921], who [3588] were before [4270] of old [3819] ordained [4270] to [1519] this [5124] condemnation [2917], ungodly men [765], turning [3346] the grace [5485] of our [2257] God [2316] into [1519] lasciviousness [766], and [2532] denying [720] the only [3441] Lord [1203] God [2316], and [2532] our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].
27 To God [2316] only [3441] wise [4680], be glory [1391] through [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
27 By faith [4102] he forsook [2641] Egypt [125], not [3361] fearing [5399] the wrath [2372] of the king [935]: for [1063] he endured [2594], as [5613] seeing [3708] him who is invisible [517].
15 Who [3739] is [2076] the image [1504] of the invisible [517] God [2316], the firstborn [4416] of every [3956] creature [2937]:
23 And [2532] changed [236] the glory [1391] of the uncorruptible [862] God [2316] into [1722] an image [1504] made like [3667] to corruptible [5349] man [444], and [2532] to birds [4071], and [2532] fourfooted beasts [5074], and [2532] creeping things [2062].
9 Who [3748] shall be punished [1349] [5099] with everlasting [166] destruction [3639] from [575] the presence [4383] of the Lord [2962], and [2532] from [575] the glory [1391] of his [846] power [2479];
3 Through faith [4102] we understand [3539] that the worlds [165] were framed [2675] by the word [4487] of God [2316], so [1519] that things which [3588] are seen [991] were [1096] not [3361] made [1096] of [1537] things which do appear [5316].
2 Hath [2980] in [1909] these [5130] last [2078] days [2250] spoken [2980] unto us [2254] by [1722] his Son [5207], whom [3739] he hath appointed [5087] heir [2818] of all things [3956], by [1223] whom [3739] also [2532] he made [4160] the worlds [165];
3 And [2532] they sing [103] the song [5603] of Moses [3475] the servant [1401] of God [2316], and [2532] the song [5603] of the Lamb [721], saying [3004], Great [3173] and [2532] marvellous [2298] are thy [4675] works [2041], Lord [2962] God [2316] Almighty [3841]; just [1342] and [2532] true [228] are thy [4675] ways [3598], thou King [935] of saints [40].
27 To God [2316] only [3441] wise [4680], be glory [1391] through [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].