1 Timothy 1:13

who was before a blasphemer A translation of the ace. masc. of the article taken with the participle. But the neuter of the article has the best support, and is taken with the adverb, giving it a slightly stronger force -during the former days"; while the participle has the concessive sense, though I was beforetime.

a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious R.V. retains -injurious" in spite of its having become a much weaker word since the 17th century, and so we have an anticlimax, whereas the Greek gives us a climax, the last word referring to deeds of outrage and contumely. Cf. Trench, N. T. Syn. § 29. In 1 Thessalonians 2:2 and three other places, we have the verb translated -shamefully entreated." Tyndal, Coverdale and Cranmer give -tyraunt." Translate, with Ellicott, a doer of outrage.

but I obtained mercy howbeit, or -but still," gives a stronger force than simply -but." -He had not like the worse part of the blaspheming and persecuting Pharisees sinned against his better convictions, Mark 3:28-30; he had not deliberately set at nought the counsel of God, and defied Heaven to its face." Fairbairn.