Bible Strands
1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy immediately after describing his own conversion in 1 Timothy 1:16. He places this doxology between his personal testimony and his pastoral charge in 1 Timothy 1:18.
The words — βασιλεῖ (basilei) translates literally as "to the King," and αἰώνων (aiōnōn) means "of the ages." These terms anchor the doxology in God's timeless sovereignty rather than a specific historical reign.
The thread — The text directs this ascription to God in Ephesians 3:20, Jude 1:25, and 1 Timothy 6:15. Each reference reinforces the attribution of eternal authority to the one true God.
Why it lands — The text commands the transfer of honor and glory to God alone. A reader must respond by acknowledging God's eternal, immortal, and invisible nature as the proper object of worship rather than personal achievement or temporal power.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,
- Jude 1:25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.
- 1 Timothy 6:15 which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.
- Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”
- Revelation 19:1 After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!
- 1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.
- Colossians 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
- Psalms 45:6 Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.
- Revelation 19:16 And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
- Psalms 10:16 The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations perish from His land.