The Meaning of 1 Timothy 1:16 Explained

1 Timothy 1:16

KJV: Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

YLT: but because of this I found kindness, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern of those about to believe on him to life age-during:

Darby: But for this reason mercy was shewn me, that in me, the first, Jesus Christ might display the whole long-suffering, for a delineation of those about to believe on him to life eternal.

ASV: howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Howbeit  for this  cause  I obtained mercy,  that  in  me  first  Jesus  Christ  might shew forth  all  longsuffering,  for  a pattern  to them which should hereafter  believe  on  him  to  life  everlasting. 

What does 1 Timothy 1:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

God was unusually merciful to Paul because He desired to make the apostle an example of how God can change the worst of sinners into the best of saints. His greatest enemy became His greatest servant. In the light of Paul"s conversion no one should conclude that his or her sin is too great for God to forgive. God may be patient with anyone since He was patient with Paul.

Context Summary

1 Timothy 1:12-20 - An Example Of Christ's Long-Suffering
The Apostle breaks off into expressions of heartfelt thanks to God for the abounding grace which had overcome his former obstinacy and blindness. Only his ignorance could palliate his outrage and insult toward Christ, who was now the beloved object of his entire surrender. He had been a blasphemer against God, Acts 26:9-11; a persecutor towards his fellow-men, Galatians 1:13; injurious, insolent, full of overweening pride. He felt that he had been the chief of sinners, because he had sinned against more knowledge and opportunity than others. It is only when we see God, that we know ourselves and repent in dust and ashes. The Apostle, however, comforted himself in this at least, that through coming time the most hopeless and abandoned sinners would take heart as they considered his case. He was a sample of mercy, a specimen of what Christ could do, an outline sketch to be filled in. Believe on Christ. Faith rests on Christ as foundation. Peter and John use another preposition, toward, or into, i.e., they conceive of union with him, to which all else is preliminary. War the good warfare, that against sin. When men thrust away faith and a good conscience, they stab their pilot and make shipwreck. See 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:14-15. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 1:16

In me as chief [εν εμοι πρωτωι]
Probably starts with the same sense of πρωτος — prōtos as in 1 Timothy 1:15 (rank), but turns to order (first in line). Paul becomes the “specimen” sinner as an encouragement to all who come after him. [source]
Might shew forth [ενδειχηται]
First aorist middle subjunctive (purpose with ινα — hina) of ενδεικνυμι — endeiknumi to point out, for which see note on Ephesians 2:7 (same form with ινα — hina). Longsuffering (μακροτυμιαν — makrothumian). Common Pauline word (2 Corinthians 6:6). For an ensample Late and rare word (in Galen, Sext. Emp., Diog. Laert., here only in N.T.) from late verb υποτυποω — hupotupoō (in papyri) to outline. So substantive here is a sketch, rough outline. Paul is a sample of the kind of sinners that Jesus came to save. See υποδειγμα — hupodeigma in 2 Peter 2:6. [source]
Longsuffering [μακροτυμιαν]
Common Pauline word (2 Corinthians 6:6). [source]
For an ensample [προς υποτυπωσιν]
Late and rare word (in Galen, Sext. Emp., Diog. Laert., here only in N.T.) from late verb υποτυποω — hupotupoō (in papyri) to outline. So substantive here is a sketch, rough outline. Paul is a sample of the kind of sinners that Jesus came to save. See υποδειγμα — hupodeigma in 2 Peter 2:6. [source]
First [πρώτῳ]
Not the chief sinner, but the representative instance of God's longsuffering applied to a high-handed transgressor. It is explained by pattern. [source]
All longsuffering [τὴν ἅπασαν μακροθυμίαν]
More correctly, “all his longsuffering.” The A.V. misses the possessive force of the article. For longsuffering see on be patient, James 5:7. The form ἅπας occurs as an undisputed reading only once in Paul, Ephesians 6:13, and not there as an adjective. Often in Acts and Luke. This use of the article with the adjective πᾶς or ἅπας is without parallel in Paul. [source]
Pattern [ὑποτύπωσιν]
Or, ensample. Only here and 2 Timothy 1:13. olxx. oClass. An example of the writer's fondness for high-sounding compounds. Paul uses τύπος . [source]
To them []
The A.V. conveys the sense more clearly than Rev. “of them,” which is ambiguous. The genitive has a possessive sense. He would be their ensample, or an ensample for their benefit. [source]
Believe [πιστευ.ειν]
This verb, so frequent in Paul, occurs six times in the pastorals. In two instances, 1 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3, it is passive, in the sense of to be intrusted with. Here in the Pauline sense of believing on Christ. In 1 Timothy 3:16, passive, of Christ believed on in the world. In 2 Timothy 1:12, of God the Father, in whom the writer confides to keep the trust committed to him. In Titus 3:8, of belief in God. With ἐπὶ uponand the dative, Romans 9:33; Romans 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6(all citations), and Romans 4:18; Luke 24:25. [source]
Unto life everlasting [εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον]
Better, eternal life. See additional not on 2 Thessalonians 1:9. The conception of life eternal is not limited to the future life (as von Soden). Godliness has promise of the life which now is, as well as of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8). The promise of eternal life (2 Timothy 1:1) and the words who brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10) may fairly be taken to cover the present life. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 1:16

Romans 4:5 Believeth on Him [πιστεύοντι ἐπὶ τὸν]
The verb πιστεύω tobelieve is used in the New Testament as follows: 1. Transitively, with the accusative and dative: to entrust something to one, Luke 16:11; John 2:24. In the passive, to be entrusted with something, Romans 3:2; 1 Corinthians 9:17; Galatians 2:7. With the simple accusative, to believe a thing, John 11:26; 1 John 4:16. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. With the infinitive, Acts 15:11. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
3. With ὅτι that Matthew 9:28; Mark 11:24; James 2:19. Especially frequent in John: John 4:21; John 11:27, John 11:42; John 13:19; John 14:10, John 14:11; John 16:27, John 16:30, etc. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
4. With the simple dative, meaning to believe a person or thing, that they are true or speak the truth, John 2:22; John 4:21; John 5:46. See on John 1:12; see on John 2:22, John 2:23; see on John 8:31; see on John 10:37. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
5. With the preposition ἐν inNot frequent, and questioned in some of the passages cited for illustration. In John 3:15, ἐν αὐτῷ inHim, is probably to be construed with have eternal life. The formula occurs nowhere else in John. In Mark 1:15we find πιστεύετε ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ believein the gospel. The kindred noun πίστις faithoccurs in this combination. Thus Galatians 3:26, though some join in Christ Jesus with sons. See also Ephesians 1:15; Colossians 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:13; 2 Timothy 3:15; Romans 3:25. This preposition indicates the sphere in which faith moves, rather than the object to which it is directed, though instances occur in the Septuagint where it plainly indicates the direction of faith, Psalm 78:22; Jeremiah 12:6. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
6. With the preposition ἐπί uponon to, unto. a. With the accusative, Romans 4:5; Acts 9:42; Acts 11:17; Acts 16:31; Acts 22:19. The preposition carries the idea of mental direction with a view to resting upon, which latter idea is conveyed by the same preposition. b. With the dative, 1 Timothy 1:16; Luke 24:25; compare Romans 9:33; Romans 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6. The dative expresses absolute superposition. Christ as the object of faith, is the basis on which faith rests. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
7. With the preposition εἰς into Matthew 18:6; John 2:11; Acts 19:4; Romans 10:14; Galatians 2:16; Philemon 1:29, etc. The preposition conveys the idea of the absolute transference of trust from one's self to another. Literally the phrase means to believe into. See on John 1:12; see on John 2:23; see on John 9:35; see on John 12:44.Is counted for righteousness ( λογίζεται εἰς δικαιοσύνην )Rev., is reckoned. See on Romans 4:3. The preposition εἰς has the force of as, not the telic meaning with a view to, or in order that he may be (righteous); nor strictly, in the place of righteousness. Faith is not a substitute for righteousness, since righteousness is involved in faith. When a man is reckoned righteous through faith, it is not a legal fiction. He is not indeed a perfect man, but God does not reckon something which has no real existence. Faith is the germ of righteousness, of life in God. God recognizes no true life apart from holiness, and “he that believeth on the Son hath life.” He is not merely regarded in the law's eye as living. God accepts the germ, not in place of the fruit, but as containing the fruit. “Abraham believed God … . No soul comes into such a relation of trust without having God's investment upon it; and whatever there may be in God's righteousness - love, truth, sacrifice - will be rightfully imputed or counted to be in it, because, being united to Him, it will have them coming over derivatively from Him” (Bushnell). The idea of logical sequence is inherent in λογίζεται isreckoned - the sequence of character upon faith. Where there is faith there is, logically, righteousness, and the righteousness is from faith unto faith (Romans 1:17). Nevertheless, in the highest development of the righteousness of faith, it will remain true that the man is justified, not by the works of righteousness, which are the fruit of faith, but by the faith which, in making him a partaker of the life and righteousness of God, generates and inspires the works. Observe that the believer's own faith is reckoned as righteousness. “In no passage in Paul's writings or in other parts of the New Testament, where the phrase to reckon for or the verb to reckon alone is used, is there a declaration that anything belonging to one person is imputed, accounted, or reckoned to another, or a formal statement that Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers” (President Dwight, “Notes on Meyer”). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

1 Timothy 1:13 I obtained mercy [ἠλεήθην]
Comp. 1 Timothy 1:16. In speaking of his conversion, Paul uses χάρις graceSee 1 Timothy 1:14, and the apostleship he speaks of himself as one who has obtained mercy ( ἠλεημένος ) of the Lord to be faithful. 1 Corinthians 7:25; comp. 2 Corinthians 4:1. [source]
2 Timothy 4:14 Did me much evil [πολλά μοι κακὰ ἐνεδείξατο]
Lit. shewed me much ill -treatment. Comp. 1 Timothy 1:16. [source]
2 Timothy 1:13 The form [ὑποτύπωσιν]
Pastsoolxx, oClass. See on 1 Timothy 1:16. [source]
2 Timothy 1:13 Of sound words [ὑγιαινόντων λόγων]
See on 1 Timothy 1:16. [source]
2 Timothy 1:13 The pattern of sound words [υποτυπωσιν υγιαινοντων λογων]
See note on 1 Timothy 1:16 for υποτυπωσιν — hupotupōsin and note on 1 Timothy 1:10 for υγιαινω — hugiainō [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 1:16 mean?

But because of this I was shown mercy that in me [the] foremost might display Jesus Christ - perfect patience as a pattern for those being about to believe on Him to life eternal
ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦτο ἠλεήθην ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ πρώτῳ ἐνδείξηται Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς τὴν ἅπασαν μακροθυμίαν πρὸς ὑποτύπωσιν τῶν μελλόντων πιστεύειν ἐπ’ αὐτῷ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον

διὰ  because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τοῦτο  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἠλεήθην  I  was  shown  mercy 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐλεέω 
Sense: to have mercy on.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ἐμοὶ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
πρώτῳ  [the]  foremost 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: πρῶτος  
Sense: first in time or place.
ἐνδείξηται  might  display 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐνδείκνυμι  
Sense: to point out.
Ἰησοῦς  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Χριστὸς  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἅπασαν  perfect 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἅπας  
Sense: quite, all, the whole, all together, all.
μακροθυμίαν  patience 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: μακροθυμία  
Sense: patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance.
ὑποτύπωσιν  a  pattern 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὑποτύπωσις  
Sense: an outline, sketch, brief and summary exposition.
τῶν  for  those 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μελλόντων  being  about 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: μέλλω  
Sense: to be about.
πιστεύειν  to  believe 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: πιστεύω  
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.
ζωὴν  life 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ζωή  
Sense: life.
αἰώνιον  eternal 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: αἰώνιος  
Sense: without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be.