1 Timothy 1:17
New International Version
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

New Living Translation
All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

English Standard Version
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

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

Berean Literal Bible
Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, only God, be honor and glory to the ages of the ages. Amen.

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

New King James Version
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

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

NASB 1995
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

NASB 1977
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Amplified Bible
Now to the King of the ages [eternal], immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

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

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

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

Contemporary English Version
I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.

English Revised Version
Now unto the King eternal, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Worship and glory belong forever to the eternal king, the immortal, invisible, and only God. Amen.

Good News Translation
To the eternal King, immortal and invisible, the only God--to him be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

International Standard Version
Now to the King Eternal—the immortal, invisible, and only God—be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

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

NET Bible
Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

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

Webster's Bible Translation
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, God the only wise, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Weymouth New Testament
Now to the immortal and invisible King of the Ages, who alone is God, be honour and glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen.

World English Bible
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only wise God, [is] honor and glory through the ages of the ages! Amen.

Berean Literal Bible
Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, only God, be honor and glory to the ages of the ages. Amen.

Young's Literal Translation
and to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only wise God, is honour and glory -- to the ages of the ages! Amen.

Smith's Literal Translation
And to the King of times, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, honour and glory for the times of times. Amen.)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So then, to the King of ages, to the immortal, invisible, solitary God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

New American Bible
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

New Revised Standard Version
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But to The King of the universe, to him who is indestructible and unseen, who is The One God, be honor and glory to the eternity of eternities. Amen.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only wise God, be honor and glory from age to age. Amen.)

Godbey New Testament
But to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only God, be honor and glory unto the ages of the ages. Amen.

Haweis New Testament
Now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Mace New Testament
to the king of the world, the immortal, invisible, and the only God be honour and glory to endless ages, amen.

Weymouth New Testament
Now to the immortal and invisible King of the Ages, who alone is God, be honour and glory to the Ages of the Ages! Amen.

Worrell New Testament
Now to the King of the ages, incorruptible, invisible, only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Worsley New Testament
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Grace to Paul
16But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 18Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,…

Cross References
Revelation 5:13
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”

Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

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.

Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”

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.

Psalm 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His actions.

Daniel 4:34-35
But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. / All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Psalm 41:13
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

Psalm 72:18-19
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. / And blessed be His glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.

Psalm 103:19
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 106:48
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Hallelujah!

Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.

Isaiah 45:17
But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated, to ages everlasting.

Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.


Treasury of Scripture

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

the King.

1 Timothy 6:15,16
Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; …

Psalm 10:16
The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

Psalm 45:1,6
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer…

invisible.

John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

the only.

Romans 16:27
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Jude 1:25
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

be.

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.

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

Psalm 41:13
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Amen.

Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jump to Previous
Ages Alone Amen Eternal Ever-Living Forever Glory Honor Honour Immortal Invisible Unseen Wise
Jump to Next
Ages Alone Amen Eternal Ever-Living Forever Glory Honor Honour Immortal Invisible Unseen Wise
1 Timothy 1
1. Paul declares Timothy is faithful to the charge which was given him at his going to Macedonia.
5. The right use and end of the law.
11. Paul's calling to be an apostle;
20. and the disobedience or Hymenaeus and Alexander.














Now to the King eternal
The phrase "Now to the King eternal" begins with a doxology, a short hymn of praises to God. The Greek word for "King" is "basileus," which denotes a ruler with absolute authority. In the context of 1 Timothy, Paul is emphasizing God's sovereignty and supreme authority over all creation. The term "eternal" is translated from the Greek word "aiōnios," which means everlasting or without beginning or end. This highlights God's timeless nature, contrasting the temporal nature of earthly kings and rulers. Historically, this would have been a powerful reminder to early Christians living under Roman rule that their ultimate allegiance was to a higher, eternal authority.

immortal
The word "immortal" is derived from the Greek "aphthartos," meaning incorruptible or imperishable. This term underscores the divine nature of God, who is not subject to decay or death, unlike all created beings. In a world where mortality was a constant reality, this attribute of God provided hope and assurance to believers that their faith was in an unchanging and everlasting deity. The immortality of God assures Christians of the eternal life promised through Jesus Christ.

invisible
"Invisible" comes from the Greek "aoratos," meaning unseen or not visible to the human eye. This characteristic of God emphasizes His transcendence and the fact that He is beyond human comprehension. While God is invisible, His presence and power are evident through His creation and His works throughout history. This invisibility also speaks to the faith required to believe in God, as Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

the only God
The phrase "the only God" is a declaration of monotheism, affirming that there is no other deity besides the God of the Bible. The Greek word "monos" means sole or alone, emphasizing the exclusivity of God. In the context of the early church, surrounded by polytheistic cultures, this was a bold affirmation of the Christian faith. It reflects the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." This exclusivity calls believers to a singular devotion and worship of the one true God.

be honor and glory
"Be honor and glory" is a call to ascribe to God the respect and magnificence due to Him. The Greek word for "honor" is "timē," which implies value, esteem, and reverence. "Glory" is translated from "doxa," which refers to splendor, brightness, and majesty. Together, these terms express the worship and adoration that God deserves from His creation. This doxology serves as a reminder to believers to live lives that reflect God's glory and honor Him in all things.

forever and ever
The phrase "forever and ever" is a translation of the Greek "eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn," which literally means "unto the ages of ages." This expression emphasizes the eternal nature of God's reign and the perpetual praise He is due. It reassures believers of the unending nature of God's kingdom and His promises. In a world where everything is temporary, this eternal perspective provides hope and stability.

Amen
"Amen" is a Hebrew word that has been transliterated into Greek and then into English. It means "truly" or "so be it," and is used to affirm the truthfulness of a statement. In this context, it serves as a strong affirmation of the doxology, expressing agreement and certainty in the attributes and praise of God. It is a fitting conclusion to this verse, inviting believers to join in the declaration of God's eternal glory and honor.

(17) Now unto the King.--The wonderful chain of thoughts (1Timothy 1:12-16) which so well illustrate the great assertion of 1Timothy 1:15--"that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners"--St. Paul closes with a noble ascription of praise and thankfulness to the great God.

This doxology is addressed to no one Person of the ever blessed Trinity, but is--as has been said with great truth--"a grand testimony to the monotheism of St. Paul: the Godhead, the Trinity of his worship, is a sublime unity. To this Eternal, Incorruptible One be glory and honour unto the ages of the ages. Amen."

Eternal.--More accurately rendered, (to the King) of the ages. The King of the Ages is the sovereign dispenser and disposer of the ages of the world. There is no reference at all here to the Gnostic aeons.

Immortal (or incorruptible).--This epithet and the following one--"invisible"--are connected with "God," not, with the preceding clause, "to the King of the Ages." God is immortal, in contrast with the beings of earth, and--

Invisible, in contrast with the visible creation.

The only wise God.--The only God, the most ancient authorities omitting "wise." "Only," as in 1Timothy 6:15 : "the blessed and only potentate." "The only God," a contrast to the multitude of created spirits, angels, principalities, powers, &c. (See 1Corinthians 8:5-6.) . . .

Verse 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 is quite clear that the phrase is equivalent to αἰώνιος, Eternal, as a title of the Lord, as in Romans 16:26. The genitive τῶν αἰώνων is qualitative. In Tobit 13:6 he is "the Lord of righteousness," i.e. the righteous Lord; and "the King of the ages," i.e. of eternity, i.e. "the eternal King," the King through all the ages. And in ver. 10 it is said, "Bless the eternal King," who, it follows, will, as King, "love the miserable εἰς πάσας τᾶς γενέας τοῦ αἰῶνος;" and then it follows, in ver. 12, "They that love thee shall be blessed εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα;" and again in ver. 18, "Bless the Lord, who hath exalted Jerusalem εἰς πάντας τοὺς αἰῶνας;" and the same conception is in the phrase, σὺ εῖ ὁ Θεὸς τῶν αἰώνων. Satan, on the other hand. is (ὁ θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου, "the god of this world" (compare such passages as Psalm 102:24; Psalm 104:31; Psalm 105:8; Psalm 135:13; Psalm 145:13; and the doxology in the Lord's Prayer, "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, εἰς, τοὺς αἰῶνας). It seems to be, therefore, quite certain that St. Paul is here using a familiar Jewish phrase for "eternal" which has nothing whatever to do with Gnostic eons. Perhaps in the use of the phrase, βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων, we may trace a contrast passing through the writer's mind between the short-lived power of that hateful βασιλεύς, Nero, by whom his life would soon be taken away, and the kingdom of the eternal King (comp. 1 Timothy 6:15, 16). Incorruptible (ἀφθάρτῳ); applied to God also in Romans 1:23, where, as here, it means "immortal" (ὁ μόνος ἔχων ἀθανασίαν, 1 Timothy 6:16), not subject to the corruption of death, just as ἀφθαρσία is coupled with "life" (2 Timothy 1:10) and opposed to "death" So on the other hand, φθορά means "death." φθαρτός, "perishable." Elsewhere it is applied to a crown, to the raised dead, to the inherit-ante of the saints, to the seed of the new birth, to the apparel of a holy heart, which no rust or moth corrupts (1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Peter 1:4, 23; 1 Peter 3:4). Invisible (ἀοράτῳ); as Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 11:27. (See also Romans 1:20; and comp. 1 Timothy 6:16, for the sense.) The word is used by Philo of God, and of the Word. Here it is especially predicated of God the Father, according to what our Lord says (John 1:18; John 6:46; John 14:9); though some of the Fathers, Nicene and post-Nicene, predicate it also of the Word or Second Person (Hilary, Chrysostom, etc.). But in Scripture the Son is spoken of as the Manifestation, the Image (εἰκών and χαρακτήρ) of the Father, through whom t he Father is seen and known; ἀόρατος, therefore, applies to the Father (see Bishop Lightfoot's note on Colossians 1:15). The only God. The best manuscripts omit σοφῷ, which seems to have crept in here from Romans 16:26. The exact construction is, "To the eternal King, the Immortal, the Invisible, the only God [or, 'who alone is God'], be honor," etc. Be honor and glory. A little varied from St. Paul's usual doxologies (see Romans 11:36; 6:27; Galatians 1:5; Ephesians 3:21; and 1 Timothy 6:16, where δόξα stands alone, and has the article - Ellicott on Galatians 1:5). In Romans 2:10 δόξα and τιμή are coupled together, but applied to man. This interposition of doxology is quite in St. Paul's manner.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

to
Τῷ (Tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[the] King
Βασιλεῖ (Basilei)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.

eternal,
αἰώνων (aiōnōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

immortal,
ἀφθάρτῳ (aphthartō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 862: Indestructible, imperishable, incorruptible; hence: immortal. Undecaying.

[and] invisible,
ἀοράτῳ (aoratō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 517: Unseen, invisible. Invisible.

[the] only
μόνῳ (monō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3441: Only, solitary, desolate. Probably from meno; remaining, i.e. Sole or single; by implication, mere.

God,
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[be] honor
τιμὴ (timē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5092: A price, honor. From tino; a value, i.e. Money paid, or valuables; by analogy, esteem, or the dignity itself.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

glory
δόξα (doxa)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.

forever
αἰῶνας (aiōnas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

[and]
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ever.
αἰώνων (aiōnōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

Amen.
ἀμήν (amēn)
Hebrew Word
Strong's 281: Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.


Links
1 Timothy 1:17 NIV
1 Timothy 1:17 NLT
1 Timothy 1:17 ESV
1 Timothy 1:17 NASB
1 Timothy 1:17 KJV

1 Timothy 1:17 BibleApps.com
1 Timothy 1:17 Biblia Paralela
1 Timothy 1:17 Chinese Bible
1 Timothy 1:17 French Bible
1 Timothy 1:17 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal immortal invisible (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
1 Timothy 1:16
Top of Page
Top of Page