1 Timothy 1:17

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

Now {G1161} unto the King {G935} eternal {G165}, immortal {G862}, invisible {G517}, the only {G3441} wise {G4680} God {G2316}, be honour {G5092} and {G2532} glory {G1391} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}. Amen {G281}.

So to the King — eternal, imperishable and invisible, the only God there is — let there be honor and glory for ever and ever! Amen.

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

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

Commentary

1 Timothy 1:17 is a powerful doxology, a spontaneous outburst of praise and worship to God, concluding a section where Paul reflects on his own salvation and apostleship. This verse serves as a profound affirmation of God's supreme nature.

Context

This verse stands as a glorious crescendo following Paul's earnest discussion about the true purpose of the law and the devastating effects of false teaching within the early church in Ephesus, where Timothy served. Paul has just recounted his own transformation from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle of Christ, attributing this radical change entirely to the abundant grace and mercy of God (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Overwhelmed by this divine condescension and the faithfulness of Christ Jesus, Paul breaks into this magnificent declaration of praise, acknowledging the One who saved him and calls all to salvation.

Key Themes

  • The Majesty of God's Attributes: The verse enumerates several unique and glorious attributes of God:
    • King Eternal: God is the sovereign ruler over all ages and all creation, without beginning or end. His reign is everlasting and His kingdom knows no bounds (Psalm 90:2).
    • Immortal: He is the only One who possesses inherent immortality, not subject to decay, death, or change. He is the source of all life (1 Timothy 6:16).
    • Invisible: God, in His essence, cannot be seen by human eyes. He transcends physical form, yet He reveals Himself through His creation, His Word, and supremely through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:18, Colossians 1:15).
    • The Only Wise God: This emphasizes God's unique and perfect wisdom, which is beyond human comprehension. His plans are infallible, and His judgments are always just and true (Romans 16:27, Jude 1:25).
  • Doxology and Worship: The core purpose of the verse is to ascribe "honour and glory for ever and ever" to God. It is a declaration of His absolute worthiness of all praise from all creation, for all eternity.

Linguistic Insights

The original Greek terms further enrich the meaning:

  • "King eternal" comes from Basilei ton aionon (βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων), literally "King of the ages" or "King of the eternities." This highlights God's sovereignty over all time and existence.
  • "Immortal" is Aphthartos (ἀφθάρτῳ), meaning "incorruptible" or "imperishable." It speaks to God's unchanging nature and freedom from decay.
  • "Invisible" is Aoratos (ἀοράτῳ), meaning "unseen."
  • "The only wise God" translates Mono sopho Theo (μόνῳ σοφῷ Θεῷ), emphasizing God's singular and unparalleled wisdom.

Practical Application

1 Timothy 1:17 calls believers to a profound posture of worship and humility. Recognizing God as the King eternal, immortal, invisible, and only wise should:

  1. Inspire Awe and Adoration: It reminds us of God's transcendence and His absolute deservedness of our highest praise.
  2. Cultivate Trust: In a world filled with uncertainty and false wisdom, we can confidently place our trust in the "only wise God" who orchestrates all things for His glory and our good.
  3. Encourage Submission: As the "King eternal," God is the ultimate authority. Our lives should be lived in submission to His perfect will.
  4. Foster Humility: Understanding God's invisible, immortal nature puts our fleeting lives and limited understanding into perspective, prompting us to bow before His infinite majesty.

This verse is a timeless reminder that all honor and glory belong to God alone, not just for a moment, but "for ever and ever. Amen."

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ephesians 3:20

    Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

  • Ephesians 3:21

    Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

  • Jude 1:25

    To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

  • 1 Timothy 6:15

    Which in his times he shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

  • 1 Timothy 6:16

    Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:11

    Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

  • Revelation 19:1

    ¶ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
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