1 Timothy 1:17
What does 1 Timothy 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 1:17 means
Overwhelmed by grace, Paul bursts into doxology, praising God as the eternal King—immortal, invisible, the only God—and ascribing honor and glory to Him forever. Contemplating salvation leads to worship. God’s attributes underscore why the gospel is glorious: the Savior is not a creature but the everlasting Sovereign. His invisibility reminds us of His transcendence; His uniqueness excludes rivals. The right response to mercy is to exalt the God who gave it. This praise also re-centers Timothy’s perspective: ministry begins and ends with God’s greatness, which steadies servants amid conflict and calls them to aim for God’s honor.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now to the King eternal, ever-living, unseen, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. So be it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only wise God, <FI>is<Fi> honour and glory--to the ages of the ages! Amen.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now to the King of the ages, [the] incorruptible, invisible, onlyGod, honour and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
Context
This doxology crowns Paul’s testimony (vv. 12–16), turning theology into praise. It serves as a hinge back to exhortation. After magnifying God, Paul resumes his charge to Timothy in verse 18, urging him to fight the good fight armed with prophetic encouragement. The placement shows that true doctrine and gratitude fuel perseverance. The chapter will close by applying this charge concretely, calling Timothy to hold faith and a good conscience and warning by example of those who have rejected these and suffered spiritual shipwreck (vv. 19–20).
v.16howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.
v.17This passage
v.18This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 19:6
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth.
- 2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
- 1 Timothy 6:15
which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
- Malachi 1:14
But cursed be the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King, saith Jehovah of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles.
- Jeremiah 10:10
But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.
- Psalms 45:6
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
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