1 Timothy 1:15-17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 1:16

Verse 16 16That in me the first Jesus Christ might shew When he calls himself the first, he alludes to what he had said a little before, that he was the first (26) among sinners and, therefore, this word means “chiefly,” or, “above all.” The Apostle’s meaning is, that, from the very beginning, God held out such a pattern as might be visible from a conspicuous and lofty platform, that no one might doubt that he would obtain pardon, provided that he approached to Christ by faith. And, indeed, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 1:17

Verse 17 17Now to the King eternal His amazing vehemence at length breaks out into this exclamation; because he could not find words to express his gratitude; for those sudden bursts occur chiefly when we are constrained to break off the discourse, in consequence of being overpowered by the vastness of the subject. And is there anything more astonishing than Paul’s conversion? Yet, at the same time, by his example he reminds us all that we ought never to think of the grace manifested in God’s... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:1-20

St. Paul was about to commit extensive powers in the Church to Timothy. It was therefore necessary that lie should define clearly the source of his own authority. This he does very distinctly. He was an apostle according to the commandment of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence his power to delegate authority to his son Timothy, and hence the duty of the Church to submit to Timothy's ruling. Among the powers committed to Timothy was that of ordaining bishops and deacons by the laying on of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:15

Faithful is the saying for this is a faithful saying , A.V. Faithful is the saying ( πιστὸς ὁ λόγος ). This formula is peculiar to the pastoral Epistles ( 1 Timothy 3:1 ; 1 Timothy 4:9 ; 2 Timothy 2:11 ; Titus 3:8 ), and seems to indicate that there were a number of pithy sayings, maxims, portions of hymns or of catechetical teaching, current in the Church, and possibly originating in the inspired sayings of the Church prophets, to which the apostle appeals, and to which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:16

As chief for first, A.V.; might Jesus Christ for Jesus Christ might, A.V.; his long-suffering for long-suffering, A.V.; an ensample of for a pattern to, A.V.; unto eternal life for to life everlasting, A.V. That in me as chief ; rather, as A.V., first; i.e. both in order of time, and in respect also of the greatness of the sin forgiven. Show forth ( ἐνδείξηται ; see 2 Timothy 4:14 , note). All his long-suffering ; more properly, as Alford, the whole long-suffering; i.e. the entirety... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:17

Incorruptible for immortal , A.V.; only God for only wise God , A.V. and T.R. The King eternal. The Greek has the unusual phrase, τῷ βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων , "the king of the worlds or ages," which is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, but is found twice in the LXX .—Tobit 13:6 and 10-and in the Liturgy of St. James, in the εὐχὴ τῆς ἐνάρξεως and elsewhere. The similar phrase, ὁ θεὸς τῶν αἰώνων , is also found in Ecclus. 36:17. In all these passages it... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 1:15

This is a faithful saying - Greek, “Faithful is the word,” or doctrine - ὁ λογος ho logos. This verse has somewhat the character of a parenthesis, and seems to have been thrown into the midst of the narrative because the mind of the apostle was full of the subject. He had said that he, a great sinner, had obtained mercy. This naturally led him to think of the purpose for which Christ came into the world - to save sinners - and to think how strikingly that truth had been illustrated in his own... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 1:16

Howbeit for this cause - That is, this was one of the causes, or this was a leading reason. We are not to suppose that this was the only one. God had other ends to answer by his conversion than this, but this was one of the designs why he was pardoned - that there might be for all ages a permanent proof that sins of the deepest dye might be forgiven. It was well to have one such example at the outset, that a doubt might never arise about the possibility of forgiving great transgressors. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 1:17

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 1:15-16

1 Timothy 1:15-16. This is a faithful saying A saying not only certainly true, but infinitely momentous, as the same expression evidently signifies 1Ti 4:9 ; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8; and worthy of all acceptation As infallibly true, it is worthy of all credit, and as infinitely important, worthy of being considered, received, and embraced, with all the powers of our souls; that Christ The Messiah promised; Jesus The Saviour exhibited; came into the world to save sinners All... read more

Group of Brands