Paul's Testimony and the Reproof of Apostates
1 Timothy 1:12-20
1Tim.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Χαριν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ενδυναμωσαντι: VERB,aor,act,part,dat,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- οτι: CONJ
- πιστον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ηγησατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- θεμενος: VERB,perf,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- διακονιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,fem
Parallels
- Eph.3.7-8 (verbal): Paul speaks of being made a minister by God's grace and the working of his power—parallels 1 Tim 1:12's language of being strengthened and appointed to ministry.
- Col.1.25 (verbal): Paul describes becoming a minister by God's stewardship entrusted to him, echoing the idea of being counted faithful and set into a ministry.
- Gal.1.15-16 (thematic): God's prior setting apart and revelation of Christ to Paul explains his divine calling to preach—themes of divine calling and appointment present in 1 Tim 1:12.
- Acts 9.15 (allusion): The Lord's words to Ananias that Saul is a 'chosen instrument' to bear Jesus' name parallel the notion that Paul was appointed/considered faithful for ministry.
- 1 Cor.15.8-10 (thematic): Paul attributes his role and labor to God's grace that empowered him—resonates with thanking Christ who strengthened and deemed him faithful for service.
Alternative generated candidates
- I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who strengthened me, because he counted me faithful and appointed me to his service,
- I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and entrusted me with the ministry.
1Tim.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- προτερον: ADV
- οντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- βλασφημον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- διωκτην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- υβριστην·αλλα: NOUN,acc,sg,m;CONJ
- ηλεηθην: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- αγνοων: PTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- εποιησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- απιστια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel in the same passage: Paul states Christ came to save sinners and cites himself as foremost, and that he received mercy so Christ might display patience—direct development of 1:13's claim of former blasphemer/persecutor and receiving mercy.
- Acts 9:1-6 (thematic): Narrative account of Saul's prior persecution of the church and his encounter with the risen Jesus leading to conversion—illustrates the biographical background behind Paul's description as a former persecutor.
- Galatians 1:13-16 (thematic): Paul's autobiographical summary of his former life in Judaism, his violent persecution of the church, and his call by revelation—parallels the theme of former hostility and subsequent divine mercy/call.
- Titus 3:3-7 (thematic): Contrasts former foolishness, disobedience, and passion with God's kindness, mercy, and renewal—echoes the move from ignorance/unbelief and sinful conduct to salvation by mercy.
- Ephesians 2:4-5 (thematic): Speaks of God's rich mercy making those once dead in trespasses alive in Christ—parallels the emphasis on mercy transforming one formerly in unbelief and sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- though formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet I received mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
- Formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet I received mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
1Tim.1.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υπερεπλεονασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- μετα: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αγαπης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Ephesians 2:8 (thematic): Links salvation/grace with faith—'by grace you have been saved through faith' parallels 1 Tim 1:14's emphasis on the grace of the Lord with faith.
- Galatians 5:6 (verbal): Combines faith and love in Christ—'faith working through love' closely parallels the pairing 'faith and love in Christ Jesus' in 1 Tim 1:14.
- Romans 5:20 (verbal): Uses language of grace super‑abounding—'where sin increased, grace abounded all the more' echoes the idea that the Lord's grace was more than abundant (υπερεπλεόνασεν).
- 2 Corinthians 9:8 (thematic): Speaks of God's grace overflowing to enable believers—'God is able to make all grace abound to you' resonates with the theme of abundant grace in 1 Tim 1:14.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (thematic): Groups faith and love together 'work of faith and labor of love... in our Lord Jesus Christ,' paralleling 1 Tim 1:14's coupling of faith and love 'in Christ Jesus.'
Alternative generated candidates
- And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
- And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
1Tim.1.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πιστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- αποδοχης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αξιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κοσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αμαρτωλους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- σωσαι·ων: VERB,aor,act,inf
- πρωτος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
Parallels
- Luke 19:10 (thematic): Explicitly states the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost—direct thematic parallel to Jesus' mission 'to save sinners.'
- Luke 5:32 (verbal): Jesus says he came to call sinners to repentance; closely parallels the language and focus on 'sinners' and Jesus' saving purpose.
- Mark 2:17 (verbal): Synoptic parallel to Luke 5:32 with similar wording about calling sinners, reinforcing the same missionary claim found in 1 Tim 1:15.
- John 3:17 (thematic): Affirms that God sent the Son not to condemn but to save the world, aligning the purpose of Christ's coming with saving sinners.
- 1 Timothy 1:16 (structural): Immediate continuation of the confession in v.15—Paul applies the statement to himself, explaining that he received mercy as the foremost sinner, linking the doctrinal claim to his personal testimony.
Alternative generated candidates
- The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am foremost.
1Tim.1.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ηλεηθην: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- πρωτω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- ενδειξηται: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- απασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- μακροθυμιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- υποτυπωσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μελλοντων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
- πιστευειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- επ᾽αυτω: PREP+PRON,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- ζωην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αιωνιον: ADJ,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 1:12-14 (structural): Immediate context: Paul recounts his former life and the mercy shown him, which sets up v.16's claim that Christ displayed patience in him as a first example for believers.
- 1 Timothy 1:15 (thematic): Closely related statement in the same letter: the gospel's purpose to save sinners undergirds the claim that Paul received mercy to serve as an example for others who would believe for eternal life.
- Romans 2:4 (verbal): Uses similar vocabulary of God's kindness, forbearance and long-suffering (μακροθυμία) that aims to lead people to repentance—paralleling the idea of Christ's patience displayed toward Paul.
- Titus 3:4-7 (thematic): Speaks of God's mercy and the appearing of his kindness that brings salvation and renewal, connecting mercy shown in Christ with the gift of eternal life for believers.
- 2 Peter 3:9 (thematic): Affirms God's patient forbearance is intended to give people time to repent and be saved, echoing the emphasis on divine patience as purposive—leading to faith and eternal life.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ might display all his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life.
- But for that reason I received mercy, so that in me, the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.
1Tim.1.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- βασιλει: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αιωνων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αφθαρτω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- αορατω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- μονω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τιμη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δοξα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αιωνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αιωνων·αμην: NOUN,gen,pl,m+INTJ
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 6:15-16 (verbal): Closely parallels titles and attributes—‘the blessed and only Sovereign…who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen’—echoing ‘immortal, invisible, the only God.’
- Jude 25 (verbal): A doxological close—‘to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory…’—mirrors 1 Tim 1:17’s formula of honor and eternal glory to the only God.
- Romans 16:25-27 (verbal): Pauline doxology ending with ‘to the only wise God be glory through Jesus Christ forever’—parallels the closing praise language and the emphasis on the sole divine honor.
- Colossians 1:15 (thematic): Calls Christ ‘the image of the invisible God,’ connecting to 1 Tim’s description of God as ‘invisible’ and underscoring the theme of God’s unseen, unique nature.
- Romans 1:20 (thematic): Speaks of God’s invisible, eternal attributes perceived in creation—parallels 1 Tim 1:17’s emphasis on God’s eternality and invisibility as fundamental divine characteristics.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
- To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1Tim.1.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ταυτην: DEM,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παραγγελιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παρατιθεμαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- τεκνον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- Τιμοθεε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- κατα: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- προαγουσας: PART,pres,act,acc,pl,f
- επι: PREP
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- προφητειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- στρατευη: VERB,pres,act,sub,2,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυταις: PRON,dat,pl,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- καλην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- στρατειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 6:12 (verbal): Uses the explicit formula 'fight the good fight'—a close verbal parallel to 'wage the good warfare' in 1 Tim 1:18, applying the combat metaphor to the life of faith.
- 2 Timothy 4:7 (thematic): Paul's own summary 'I have fought the good fight' echoes the military/athletic imagery of struggle and perseverance found in 1 Tim 1:18, casting Timothy's charge within Paul's ongoing struggle.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 (verbal): Speaks of the gift given to Timothy 'by prophecy when the council of elders laid hands on you,' directly paralleling 1:18's reference to 'the prophecies previously made concerning you' as the basis for Timothy's commission.
- 2 Timothy 1:6 (structural): Another personal charge from Paul to Timothy—'fan into flame the gift'—grounded in the commission/laying on of hands; parallels 1:18's pattern of exhortation tied to prior prophetic commissioning.
Alternative generated candidates
- I entrust these instructions to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously spoken over you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
- This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.
1Tim.1.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αγαθην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- συνειδησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- απωσαμενοι: PART,aor,mid,nom,pl,m
- περι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εναυαγησαν·: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 1:5 (verbal): Same epistolary context and close language linking faith and a good/pure conscience (’love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith’).
- 1 Timothy 3:9 (verbal): Speaks of ‘holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience,’ echoing the pairing of faith and conscience as integrity to be preserved.
- 1 Peter 3:16 (verbal): Uses the phrase ‘having a good conscience’ (συνείδησιν ἀγαθήν) in connection with witness and conduct, paralleling the moral-theological weight of conscience in 1 Tim 1:19.
- Acts 24:16 (thematic): Paul’s aim to ‘have a conscience void of offense’ parallels the ethical concern in 1 Tim 1:19 for maintaining a good conscience before God and men.
- 2 Timothy 2:18 (verbal): Describes false teachers who ‘overthrow/ruin the faith,’ a concept closely parallel to 1 Tim 1:19’s language of some having ‘made shipwreck of the faith.’
Alternative generated candidates
- holding faith and a good conscience; by rejecting these, some have shipwrecked their faith.
- Hold faith and a good conscience; by rejecting these, some have suffered shipwreck with respect to the faith.
1Tim.1.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Υμεναιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Αλεξανδρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- παρεδωκα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Σατανα: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- παιδευθωσι: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
- μη: PART
- βλασφημειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 5:5 (verbal): Paul commands that a sexually immoral man be 'delivered to Satan' so that the spirit may be saved; uses the same disciplinary formula and purpose as in 1 Tim 1:20.
- 2 Timothy 2:17-18 (allusion): Names Hymenaeus (again) and describes his false teaching that 'overthrows the faith,' linking the same teacher and doctrinal error referenced in 1 Tim 1:20.
- 2 Corinthians 2:6-8 (structural): Paul speaks of punishment inflicted by the majority and urges forgiveness and reaffirmation after discipline—procedurally connected to earlier 'delivery to Satan' and its pastoral aftermath.
- 1 Timothy 5:20 (thematic): Commands public reproof of those who persist in sin so that others may take warning; echoes the theme of church discipline and public correction found in 1 Tim 1:20.
- Titus 3:10 (thematic): Instructs to 'avoid a divisive person' after warning—another pastoral rule for handling false teachers and schismatics akin to the action taken against Hymenaeus and Alexander.
Alternative generated candidates
- Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
- Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
I give thanks to him who has strengthened me—Christ Jesus our Lord—because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service,
though formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man. Yet I received mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am foremost. But for that reason I received mercy, so that in me, the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child in the faith: by the prophecies previously made about you, fight the good fight,
holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting these, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme.