1 Timothy 1:16

Howbeit A characteristic re-assertion with a new antithesis, -Yes, I am indeed chief of sinners, but still I received mercy on this account, that I might also be chief exemplar of Jesus Christ's all-patience."

Translate with R.V. that in me as chief (i.e. of sinners) might Jesus Christ shew forth all his longsuffering.

in me -in my case," as in Galatians 1:16, -it pleased God to reveal His Son in me," -to shew the Saviour's power in my conversion," Galatians 1:24, -they glorified God in me."

all longsuffering The longer form of the Greek word -all" should be read, though only once used otherwise by St Paul, Ephesians 6:13; the position of the article coming before the -all" is very unusual in N. T. and suggests the translation proposed by Dr Vaughan, -His all-patience," cf. Galatians 5:14, -The whole law." Winer, § 17. 10.

might shew forth The right translation in our idiom of the subjunctive, which Hellenistic Greek uses for the optative when it would naturally follow the past tense, -received mercy," cf. 1 Timothy 1:20; the verb -shew forth" is middle, as always in N. T.; its force -shew forth as His attribute."

for a pattern to R.V. for an ensample of them which should hereafter believe. According to the use of the word in the only place where it occurs besides, 2 Timothy 1:13, -the pattern of sound words," the phrase ought to be a simpler one -for a pattern of believers," and the longer form is substituted at the moment of writing. And it is not quite as Bengel puts it with emphasis on -belief," -si credis ut Paulus salvabere ut Paulus," but -etiamsi peccaveris ut Paulus, ut Paulo poena tibi differetur, locum habebis poenitentiae ut Paulus."

to life everlasting We may shew better how this word is taken up, and with a turn of meaning suggests the form of the ascription, by rendering unto life eternal: and to the King of the eternal … be honour and glory onto all eternity.

" -Life eternal" is the divine life, the life that is"; -not an endless duration of being in time, but being of which time is not a measure." Westcott on 1 John 1:2; 1 John 5:20.

In St John's use, the presentliving -in Christ," spiritual religion, is meant almost entirely to be emphasised, e.g. John 3:15; John 5:24; 1 John 1:2; 1 John 5:13.

In St Paul's use this is certainly so too in onepassage, 1 Timothy 6:12, where Timothy is now by a distinct effort and act (aorist imperative) to -lay hold" of -the eternal life"; that is, -the special Messianic gift brought by Christ," described (according to the true reading) in 1 Timothy 6:19 as -the life which is life indeed," and in Ephesians 4:18 as -the life of God." So perhaps here, though probably more often St Paul's use of the phrase looks to the development of this life still future, e.g. Romans 2:7; Romans 6:22, -and the end life eternal." The phrase -King of the eternal," lit. -King of the ages," covers both uses: God is King and Giver of Life in all the cycles and stages of development through which the world and all in it pass.

This connexion of the phrases makes it probable that this allusive title of God -King of the eternal" is left thus, strong and complete, and that the following epithets belong to the new title, making a climax the incorruptible, invisible, only God (not as A.V. and R.V.). The epithet -wise" has not sufficient ms. authority here or in Jude 1:25.