The Meaning of 1 Timothy 1:17 Explained

1 Timothy 1:17

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

YLT: and to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only wise God, is honour and glory -- to the ages of the ages! Amen.

Darby: Now to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only God, honour and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.

ASV: Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 1 Timothy 1:17 Mean?

Study Notes

immortal incorruptible.
invisible Cf.
hath seen God
CF Genesis 32:20 ; Exodus 24:10 ; Exodus 33:18 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:22 ; Revelation 22:4 . The divine essence, God, veiled in angelic form, and especially as incarnate in Jesus Christ, has been seen of men.; Genesis 18:2 ; Genesis 18:22 ; John 14:8 ; John 14:9 .
declared Lit. led him forth, i.e. into full revelation. John 14:9 .

Verse Meaning

Such grace prompted Paul to glorify God in this brief doxology. God is the King of the ages (sovereign), immortal (eternal), invisible (spiritual), and the only God (unique). To Him belong all honor and glory eternally. "Amen" means, "So be it." The Christians often uttered this word out loud in their meetings, as did the Jews in their synagogues.
The reason Paul referred to his conversion in this section ( 1 Timothy 1:12-17) was to encourage Timothy to be faithful in the ministry with which God had entrusted him ( 1 Timothy 1:3-11). In his ministry at Ephesus Timothy would never encounter a more difficult case than Saul of Tarsus had been. The fact that God had completely transformed Paul shows that He can do the same to anyone. This gives hope to everyone who seeks to win people to Christ and to help them grow in Christ.

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 1:17

Incorruptible [απταρτωι]
As an epithet of God also in Romans 1:23. Invisible (αορατωι — aoratōi). Epithet of God in Colossians 1:15. The only God So Romans 16:27; John 5:44; John 17:3. For ever and ever (εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων — eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn). “Unto the ages of ages.” Cf. Ephesians 3:21 “of the age of the ages.” [source]
Invisible [αορατωι]
Epithet of God in Colossians 1:15. [source]
The only God [μονωι τεωι]
So Romans 16:27; John 5:44; John 17:3. For ever and ever (εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων — eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn). “Unto the ages of ages.” Cf. Ephesians 3:21 “of the age of the ages.” [source]
For ever and ever [εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων]
“Unto the ages of ages.” Cf. Ephesians 3:21 “of the age of the ages.” [source]
King eternal [βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων]
Lit. the king of the ages. Only here and Revelation 15:3. Comp. Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 11:3. In lxx, Exodus 15:18; 1 Samuel 13:13; Psalm 9:7; 28:10; 73:12; 144:13; 145:10. See also additional note on 2Thessalonians href="/desk/?q=2th+1:9&sr=1">2 Thessalonians 1:9. [source]
Immortal [ἀφθάρτῳ]
Lit. Incorruptible. In Paul, applied to God only, Romans 1:23. [source]
Invisible [ἀοράτῳ]
Applied to God, Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 11:27. [source]
The only wise God [μόνῳ θεῷ]
Wise should be omitted. Rend. The only God. Σοφῷ wisewas interpolated from Romans 16:27- the only instance in which Paul applies the term to God. Comp. Judges 1:4, Judges 1:25; Luke 5:21; John 5:44. [source]
Honor and glory [τιμὴ καὶ δόξα]
This combination in doxology only here and Revelation 5:12, Revelation 5:13. Comp. Revelation 4:9. In doxologies Paul uses only δόξα glorywith the article, the glory, and with to whom or to him (be). [source]
Forever and ever [εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων]
Lit unto the aeons of the aeons. The formula in Paul, Romans 16:26; Galatians 1:5; Philemon 4:20. Also in Hebrews and 1Peter, and often in Revelation The doxology as a whole is unique in N.T. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 1:17

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time [τεον ουδεις εωρακεν πωποτε]
“God no one has ever seen.” Perfect active indicative of οραω — horaō Seen with the human physical eye, John means. God is invisible (Exodus 33:20; Deuteronomy 4:12). Paul calls God αορατος — aoratos (Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17). John repeats the idea in John 5:37; John 6:46. And yet in John 14:7 Jesus claims that the one who sees him has seen the Father as here. The only begotten Son This is the reading of the Textus Receptus and is intelligible after ως μονογενους παρα πατρος — hōs monogenous para patros in John 1:14. But the best old Greek manuscripts (Aleph B C L) read μονογενης τεος — monogenēs theos (God only begotten) which is undoubtedly the true text. Probably some scribe changed it to ο μονογενης υιος — ho monogenēs huios to obviate the blunt statement of the deity of Christ and to make it like John 3:16. But there is an inner harmony in the reading of the old uncials. The Logos is plainly called τεος — theos in John 1:1. The Incarnation is stated in John 1:14, where he is also termed μονογενης — monogenēs He was that before the Incarnation. So he is “God only begotten,” “the Eternal Generation of the Son” of Origen‘s phrase. Which is in the bosom of the Father The eternal relation of the Son with the Father like προς τον τεον — pros ton theon in John 1:1. In John 3:13 there is some evidence for ο ων εν τωι ουρανωι — ho ōn en tōi ouranōi used by Christ of himself while still on earth. The mystic sense here is that the Son is qualified to reveal the Father as Logos (both the Father in Idea and Expression) by reason of the continual fellowship with the Father. He Emphatic pronoun referring to the Son. Hath declared him First aorist (effective) middle indicative of εχηγεομαι — exēgeomai old verb to lead out, to draw out in narrative, to recount. Here only in John, though once in Luke‘s Gospel (Luke 24:35) and four times in Acts (Acts 10:8; Acts 15:12, Acts 15:14; Acts 21:19). This word fitly closes the Prologue in which the Logos is pictured in marvellous fashion as the Word of God in human flesh, the Son of God with the Glory of God in him, showing men who God is and what he is. [source]
Romans 3:23 The glory of God [τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ]
Interpretations vary greatly. The glory of personal righteousness; that righteousness which God judges to be glory; the image of God in man; the glorying or boasting of righteousness before God; the approbation of God; the state of future glory. The dominant meanings of δόξα in classical Greek are notion, opinion, conjecture, repute. See on Revelation 1:6. In biblical usage: 1. Recognition, honor, Philemon 1:11; 1 Peter 1:7. It is joined with τιμή honor 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 1:17. Opposed to ἀτιμὶα dishonor 1 Corinthians 11:14, 1 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 6:8. With ζητέω toseek, 1 Thessalonians 2:6; John 5:44; John 7:18. With λαμβάνω toreceive, John 5:41, John 5:44. With δίδωμι togive, Luke 17:18; John 9:24. In the ascriptive phrase glory be to, Luke 2:14, and ascriptions in the Epistles. Compare Luke 14:10. 2. The glorious appearance which attracts the eye, Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:6; Luke 12:27. Hence parallel with εἰκών image μορφή form ὁμοίωμα likeness εἶδος appearancefigure, Romans 1:23; Psalm 17:15; Numbers 12:8. -DIVIDER-
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The glory of God is used of the aggregate of the divine attributes and coincides with His self-revelation, Exodus 33:22; compare πρόσωπον face Exodus 33:23. Hence the idea is prominent in the redemptive revelation (Isaiah 60:3; Romans 6:4; Romans 5:2). It expresses the form in which God reveals Himself in the economy of salvation (Romans 9:23; 1 Timothy 1:11; Ephesians 1:12). It is the means by which the redemptive work is carried on; for instance, in calling, 2 Peter 1:3; in raising up Christ and believers with Him to newness of life, Romans 6:4; in imparting strength to believers, Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11; as the goal of Christian hope, Romans 5:2; Romans 8:18, Romans 8:21; Titus 2:13. It appears prominently in the work of Christ - the outraying of the Father's glory (Hebrews 1:3), especially in John. See John 1:14; John 2:11, etc. -DIVIDER-
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The sense of the phrase here is: they are coming short of the honor or approbation which God bestows. The point under discussion is the want of righteousness. Unbelievers, or mere legalists, do not approve themselves before God by the righteousness which is of the law. They come short of the approbation which is extended only to those who are justified by faith. -DIVIDER-
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[source]

Romans 16:27 To the only wise God [μονωι σοπωι τεωι]
Better, “to God alone wise.” See note on 1 Timothy 1:17 without σοπωι — sophōi [source]
Galatians 1:5 To whom be glory, etc. []
For similar doxologies see Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; Romans 16:27; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17. [source]
Galatians 1:5 Forever and ever [εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων]
Lit. unto the ages of the ages. See additional note on 2 Thessalonians 1:9, and comp. Romans 16:27; Philemon 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:18. Often in Revelation. In lxx. habitually in the singular: see Psalm 89:29; 110:3,30. In the doxology the whole period of duration is conceived as a succession of cycles. [source]
Galatians 1:5 To whom be the glory [ωι η δοχα]
No verb in the Greek. For like doxologies see note on Romans 9:5; note on Romans 11:36; Romans 16:27; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:9 Glory of his power [δόξης τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ]
For glory see on 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Ἱσχὺς powernot often in Paul. It is indwelling power put forth or embodied, either aggressively or as an obstacle to resistance: physical power organized or working under individual direction. An army and a fortress are both ἰσχυρὸς. The power inhering in the magistrate, which is put forth in laws or judicial decisions, is ἰσχὺς , and makes the edicts ἰσχυρὰ validand hard to resist. Δύναμις is the indwelling power which comes to manifestation in ἰσχὺς The precise phrase used here does not appear elsewhere in N.T. In lxx, Isaiah 2:10, Isaiah 2:19, Isaiah 2:21. The power ( δύναμις ) and glory of God are associated in Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Luke 21:27; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 19:1. Comp. κράτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ strengthof his glory, Colossians 1:11. Additional Note on ὄλεθρον αἰώνιον eternaldestruction, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Ἁιών transliterated eon is a period of time of longer or shorter duration, having a beginning and an end, and complete in itself. Aristotle ( περὶ οὐρανοῦ , i. 9,15) says: “The period which includes the whole time of each one's life is called the eon of each one.” Hence it often means the life of a man, as in Homer, where one's life ( αἰών ) is said to leave him or to consume away (Il. v. 685; Od. v. 160). It is not, however, limited to human life; it signifies any period in the course of events, as the period or age before Christ; the period of the millennium; the mytho-logical period before the beginnings of history. The word has not “a stationary and mechanical value” (De Quincey). It does not mean a period of a fixed length for all cases. There are as many eons as entities, the respective durations of which are fixed by the normal conditions of the several entities. There is one eon of a human life, another of the life of a nation, another of a crow's life, another of an oak's life. The length of the eon depends on the subject to which it is attached. It is sometimes translated world; world representing a period or a series of periods of time. See Matthew 12:32; Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:49; Luke 1:70; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 2:6; Ephesians 1:21. Similarly οἱ αἰῶνες theworlds, the universe, the aggregate of the ages or periods, and their contents which are included in the duration of the world. 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 11:3. -DIVIDER-
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The word always carries the notion of time, and not of eternity. It always means a period of time. Otherwise it would be impossible to account for the plural, or for such qualifying expressions as this age, or the age to come. It does not mean something endless or everlasting. To deduce that meaning from its relation to ἀεί is absurd; for, apart from the fact that the meaning of a word is not definitely fixed by its derivation, ἀεί does not signify endless duration. When the writer of the Pastoral Epistles quotes the saying that the Cretans are always ( ἀεί ) liars (Titus 1:12), he surely does not mean that the Cretans will go on lying to all eternity. See also Acts 7:51; 2 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 6:10; Hebrews 3:10; 1 Peter 3:15. Ἁεί means habitually or continually within the limit of the subject's life. In our colloquial dialect everlastingly is used in the same way. “The boy is everlastingly tormenting me to buy him a drum.”-DIVIDER-
In the New Testament the history of the world is conceived as developed through a succession of eons. A series of such eons precedes the introduction of a new series inaugurated by the Christian dispensation, and the end of the world and the second coming of Christ are to mark the beginning of another series. See Ephesians 3:11. Paul contemplates eons before and after the Christian era. Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:9, Ephesians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 10:11; comp. Hebrews 9:26. He includes the series of eons in one great eon, ὁ αἰὼν τῶν αἰώνων theeon of the eons (Ephesians 3:21); and the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews describes the throne of God as enduring unto the eon of the eons (Hebrews 1:8). The plural is also used, eons of the eons, signifying all the successive periods which make up the sum total of the ages collectively. Romans 16:27; Galatians 1:5; Philemon 4:20, etc. This plural phrase is applied by Paul to God only. -DIVIDER-
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The adjective αἰώνιος in like manner carries the idea of time. Neither the noun nor the adjective, in themselves, carry the sense of endless or everlasting. They may acquire that sense by their connotation, as, on the other hand, ἀΐ̀διος , which means everlasting, has its meaning limited to a given point of time in Judges 1:6. Ἁιώνιος means enduring through or pertaining to a period of time. Both the noun and the adjective are applied to limited periods. Thus the phrase εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα , habitually rendered forever, is often used of duration which is limited in the very nature of the case. See, for a few out of many instances, lxx, Exodus 21:6; Exodus 29:9; Exodus 32:13; Joshua 14:9; 1 Samuel 8:13; Leviticus 25:46; Deuteronomy 15:17; 1 Chronicles 28:4. See also Matthew 21:19; John 13:8; 1 Corinthians 8:13. The same is true of αἰώνιος . Out of 150 instances in lxx, four-fifths imply limited duration. For a few instances see Genesis 48:4; Numbers 10:8; Numbers 15:15; Proverbs 22:28; Jonah 2:6; Habakkuk 3:6; Isaiah 61:8. -DIVIDER-
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Words which are habitually applied to things temporal or material can not carry in themselves the sense of endlessness. Even when applied to God, we are not forced to render αἰώνιος everlastingOf course the life of God is endless; but the question is whether, in describing God as αἰώνιος , it was intended to describe the duration of his being, or whether some different and larger idea was not contemplated. That God lives longer than men, and lives on everlastingly, and has lived everlastingly, are, no doubt, great and significant facts; yet they are not the dominant or the most impressive facts in God's relations to time. God's eternity does not stand merely or chiefly for a scale of length. It is not primarily a mathematical but a moral fact. The relations of God to time include and imply far more than the bare fact of endless continuance. They carry with them the fact that God transcends time; works on different principles and on a vaster scale than the wisdom of time provides; oversteps the conditions and the motives of time; marshals the successive eons from a point outside of time, on lines which run out into his own measureless cycles, and for sublime moral ends which the creature of threescore and ten years cannot grasp and does not even suspect. -DIVIDER-
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There is a word for everlasting if that idea is demanded. That αἰώνιος occurs rarely in the New Testament and in lxx does not prove that its place was taken by αἰώνιος . It rather goes to show that less importance was attached to the bare idea of everlastingness than later theological thought has given it. Paul uses the word once, in Romans 1:20, where he speaks of “the everlasting power and divinity of God.” In Romans 16:26he speaks of the eternal God ( τοῦ αἰωνίου θεοῦ ); but that he does not mean the everlasting God is perfectly clear from the context. He has said that “the mystery” has been kept in silence in times eternal ( χρόνοις αἰωνίοις ), by which he does not mean everlasting times, but the successive eons which elapsed before Christ was proclaimed. God therefore is described as the God of the eons, the God who pervaded and controlled those periods before the incarnation. To the same effect is the title ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων theKing of the eons, applied to God in 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 15:3; comp. 2Timothy href="/desk/?q=2ti+1:9&sr=1">2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2), cannot mean before everlasting times. To say that God bestowed grace on men, or promised them eternal life before endless times, would be absurd. The meaning is of old, as Luke 1:70. The grace and the promise were given in time, but far back in the ages, before the times of reckoning the eons. -DIVIDER-
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Ζωὴ αἰώνιος eternallife, which occurs 42 times in N.T., but not in lxx, is not endless life, but life pertaining to a certain age or eon, or continuing during that eon. I repeat, life may be endless. The life in union with Christ is endless, but the fact is not expressed by αἰώνιος . Κόλασις αἰώνιος , rendered everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46), is the punishment peculiar to an eon other than that in which Christ is speaking. In some cases ζωὴ αἰώνιος does not refer specifically to the life beyond time, but rather to the eon or dispensation of Messiah which succeeds the legal dispensation. See Matthew 19:16; John 5:39. John says that ζωὴ αἰώνιος is the present possession of those who believe on the Son of God, John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:47, John 6:64. The Father's commandment is ζωὴ αἰώσιος , John 12:50; to know the only true God and Jesus Christ is ζωὴ αἰώνιος , John 17:3. -DIVIDER-
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Bishop Westcott very justly says, commenting upon the terms used by John to describe life under different aspects: “In considering these phrases it is necessary to premise that in spiritual things we must guard against all conclusions which rest upon the notions of succession and duration. 'Eternal life' is that which St. Paul speaks of as ἡ ὄντως ζωὴ thelife which is life indeed, and ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ θεοῦ thelife of God. It is not an endless duration of being in time, but being of which time is not a measure. We have indeed no powers to grasp the idea except through forms and images of sense. These must be used, but we must not transfer them as realities to another order.”-DIVIDER-
Thus, while αἰώνιος carries the idea of time, though not of endlessness, there belongs to it also, more or less, a sense of quality. Its character is ethical rather than mathematical. The deepest significance of the life beyond time lies, not in endlessness, but in the moral quality of the eon into which the life passes. It is comparatively unimportant whether or not the rich fool, when his soul was required of him (Luke 12:20), entered upon a state that was endless. The principal, the tremendous fact, as Christ unmistakably puts it, was that, in the new eon, the motives, the aims, the conditions, the successes and awards of time counted for nothing. In time, his barns and their contents were everything; the soul was nothing. In the new life the soul was first and everything, and the barns and storehouses nothing. The bliss of the sanctified does not consist primarily in its endlessness, but in the nobler moral conditions of the new eon, - the years of the holy and eternal God. Duration is a secondary idea. When it enters it enters as an accompaniment and outgrowth of moral conditions. -DIVIDER-
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In the present passage it is urged that ὄλεθρον destructionpoints to an unchangeable, irremediable, and endless condition. If this be true, if ὄλεθρος isextinction, then the passage teaches the annihilation of the wicked, in which case the adjective αἰώνιος is superfluous, since extinction is final, and excludes the idea of duration. But ὄλεθρος does not always mean destruction or extinction. Take the kindred verb ἀπόλλυμι todestroy, put an end to, or in the middle voice, to be lost, to perish. Peter says, “the world being deluged with water, perished ” ( ἀπολοῦνται 2 Peter 3:6); but the world did not become extinct, it was renewed. In Hebrews 1:11, Hebrews 1:12quoted from Isaiah href="/desk/?q=isa+51:6&sr=1">Isaiah 51:6, Isaiah 51:16; Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1. Similarly, “the Son of man came to save that which was lost ” ( ἀπολωλός ), Luke 19:10. Jesus charged his apostles to go to the lost ( ἀπολωλότα ) sheep of the house of Israel, Matthew 10:6, comp. Matthew 15:24. “He that shall lose ( ἀπολέσῃ ) his life for my sake shall find it,” Matthew 16:25. Comp. Luke 15:6, Luke 15:9, Luke 15:32. -DIVIDER-
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In this passage the word destruction is qualified. It is “destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power, “ at his second coming, in the new eon. In other words, it is the severance, at a given point of time, of those who obey not the gospel from the presence and the glory of Christ. Ἁιώνιος may therefore describe this severance as continuing during the millennial eon between Christ's coming and the final judgment; as being for the wicked prolonged throughout that eon and characteristic of it, or it may describe the severance as characterizing or enduring through a period or eon succeeding the final judgment, the extent of which period is not defined. In neither case is αἰώνιος to be interpreted as everlasting or endless.sa180 [source]

1 Timothy 2:5 One God []
These Epistles deal much with the divine attributes. See 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:13, 1 Timothy 6:15, 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:10; 2 Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2. [source]
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality [ὁ μόνος ἔχων ἀθανασίαν]
Comp. ἀφθάρτῳ incorruptible 1 Timothy 1:17. It has been suggested that there is here a possible allusion to the practice of deifying the woman emperors, with an implied protest against paying them divine honors. In the Asian provinces generally, this imperial cultus was organised as the highest and most authoritative religion. Domitian (81-96 a.d.) assumed the titles of “Lord” and “God,” and insisted on being addressed as Dominus et Deus noster in all communications to himself. Trajan (98-117 a.d.) forbade his subjects to address him as “Lord” and “God,” but Pliny (112 a.d.) required the citizens of Bithynia to pay divine honors to Trajan's statue. Hadrian (117-138 a.d.) allowed the worship of his statues. [source]
1 Timothy 3:16 Was received up into glory [ἀνελήμφθη ἐν δόξῃ]
Better, received or taken up in glory. Ἁναλαμβάνειν is the formal term to describe the ascension of Christ (see Acts 1:2, Acts 1:22), and the reference is most probably to that event. Comp. lxx, 2 Kings 2:11, of Elijah, and Matthew href="/desk/?q=mt+16:27&sr=1">Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:31; Luke 12:27; 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 2 Corinthians 3:8, 2 Corinthians 3:11.Additional Note on 1 Timothy 3:16Christ's existence before his incarnation was purely spiritual ( ἐν πνεύματι ). He was in the form of God (Philemon 2:6): He was the effulgence of God's glory and the express image of his substance (Hebrews 1:3), and God is spirit (John 4:24). From this condition he came into manifestation in the flesh ( ἐν σαρκί ). He became man and entered into human conditions (Philemon 2:7, Philemon 2:8). Under these human conditions the attributes of his essential spiritual personality were veiled. He did not appear to men what he really was. He was not recognised by them as he who “was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1, John 1:2); as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15); as one with God (John 10:30; John 14:9); as he who had all power in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18); who was “before all things and by whom all things consist” (Colossians 1:17); who was “the king of the ages” (1 Timothy 1:17). On the contrary, he was regarded as an impostor, a usurper, and a blasphemer. He was hated, persecuted, and finally murdered. He was poor, tempted, and tried, a man of sorrows. -DIVIDER-
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The justification or vindication of what he really was did not therefore come out of the fleshly sphere. He was not justified in the flesh. It came out of the sphere of his spiritual being. Glimpses of this pneumatic life ( ἐν πνεύματι ) flashed out during his life in the flesh. By his exalted and spotless character, by his works of love and power, by his words of authority, in his baptism and transfiguration, he was vindicated as being what he essentially was and what he openly claimed to be. These justifications were revelations, expressions, and witnesses of his original, essential spiritual and divine quality; of the native glory which he had with the Father before the world was. It was the Spirit that publicly indorsed him (John 1:32, John 1:33): the words which he spake were spirit and life (John 6:63): he cast out demons in the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28): his whole earthly manifestation was in demonstration of the Spirit. These various demonstrations decisively justified his claims in the eyes of many. His disciples confessed him as the Christ of God (Luke 9:20) some of the people said “this is the Christ” (John 7:41): others suspected that he was such (John 4:29). Whether or not men acknowledged his claims, they felt the power of his unique personality. They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority (Matthew 7:28, Matthew 7:29). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Then followed the more decisive vindication in his resurrection from the dead. Here the work of the Spirit is distinctly recognised by Paul, Romans 1:4. See also Romans 8:11. In the period between his resurrection and ascension his pneumatic life came into clearer manifestation, and added to the vindication furnished in his life and resurrection. He seemed to live on the border-line between the natural and the spiritual world, and the powers of the spiritual world were continually crossing the line and revealing themselves in him. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In the apostolic preaching, the appeal to the vindication of Christ by the Spirit is clear and unequivocal. The spiritual nourishment of believers is “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philemon 1:19): the Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6): Paul identifies Christ personally with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17); and in Romans 8:9, Romans 8:10, “Spirit of God,” “Spirit of Christ,” and “Christ” are used as convertible terms. The indwelling of the Spirit of Christ is the test and vindication of belonging to Christ (Romans 8:9). Thus, though put to death in the flesh, in the Spirit Christ is vindicated as the Son of God, the Christ of God, the manifestation of God. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

1 Timothy 6:16 Unapproachable [απροσιτον]
See Psalm 104:2. Late compound verbal adjective Here only in N.T. Literary Koiné{[28928]}š word. Nor can see (αορατον — oude idein dunatai). See aoraton in Colossians 1:15 and also John 1:18; Matthew 11:27. The “amen” marks the close of the doxology as in 1 Timothy 1:17. [source]
1 Timothy 6:16 Nor can see [αορατον]
See aoraton in Colossians 1:15 and also John 1:18; Matthew 11:27. The “amen” marks the close of the doxology as in 1 Timothy 1:17. [source]
Hebrews 11:27 As seeing him who is invisible [τὸν ἀόρατον ὡς ὁρῶν]
Since he saw, etc. The emphasis is on invisible, pointing back to the introductory definition of faith. The word is used of God, Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17. [source]
Hebrews 1:2 By whom also he made the worlds [δι ' οὗ καὶ ἐποίησεν τοὺς αἰῶνας]
Διὰ commonly expresses secondary agency, but, in some instances, it is used of God's direct agency. See 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 4:7. Christ is here represented as a mediate agency in creation. The phrase is, clearly, colored by the Alexandrian conception, but differs from it in that Christ is not represented as a mere instrument, a passive tool, but rather as a cooperating agent. “Every being, to reach existence, must have passed through the thought and will of the Logos” (Godet); yet “the Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father doing” (John 5:19). With this passage Colossians 1:16should be studied. There it is said that all things, collectively ( τὰ πάντα ), were created in him ( ἐν αὐτῷ ) and through him ( δι ' αὐτοῦ as here). The former expression enlarges and completes the latter. Δι ' αὐτοῦ represents Christ as the mediate instrument. Ἐν αὐτῷ indicates that “all the laws and purposes which guide the creation and government of the universe reside in him, the Eternal Word, as their meeting-point.” Comp. John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6. For τοῦς αἰῶνας theworlds, see additional note on 2 Thessalonians 1:9. Rend. for by whom also he made, by whom he also made. The emphasis is on made, not on worlds: on the fact of creation, not on what was created. In the writer's thought heirship goes with creation. Christ is heir of what he made, and because he made it. As πάντων, in the preceding clause, regards all things taken singly, αἰῶνας regards them in cycles. Ἀιῶνας does not mean times, as if representing the Son as the creator of all time and times, but creation unfolded in time through successive aeons. All that, in successive periods of time, has come to pass, has come to pass through him. Comp. 1 Corinthians 10:11; Ephesians 3:21; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Timothy 1:17; lxx, Ecclesiastes href="/desk/?q=ec+3:11&sr=1">Ecclesiastes 3:11. See also Clement of Rome, Ad Corinth. xxxv, ὁ δημιουργὸς καὶ πατὴρ τῶν αἰώνων theCreator and Father of the ages. Besides this expression, the writer speaks of the world as κόσμος (Hebrews 4:3; Hebrews 10:5); ἡ οἰκουμένη (Hebrews 1:6), and τὰ πάντα (Hebrews 1:3). [source]
1 Peter 1:7 Praise and glory and honor []
Such is the order of the best texts, and so Rev. Glory and honor often occur together in the New Testament, as Romans 2:7, Romans 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:17. Only here with praise. Compare spirit of glory, 1 Peter 4:14. [source]
1 Peter 1:7 That might be found [ινα ευρετηι]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of ευρισκω — heuriskō common verb, to find. As in 2 Peter 3:14, this is the result of the probation by God as the Refiner of hearts.Unto praise and glory and honour (εις επαινον και δοχαν και τιμην — eis epainon kai doxan kai timēn). Here probably both to God and man in the result. Cf. Matthew 5:11.; Romans 2:7, Romans 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:17.At the revelation of Jesus Christ So also in 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Luke 17:30 of the second coming of Christ as the Judge and Rewarder (Bigg). [source]
1 Peter 1:7 Unto praise and glory and honour [εις επαινον και δοχαν και τιμην]
Here probably both to God and man in the result. Cf. Matthew 5:11.; Romans 2:7, Romans 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:17. [source]
1 Peter 4:11 Whose is [ωι εστιν]
“To whom (dative) is,” that is to Jesus Christ the immediate antecedent, but in Romans 16:27; Judges 1:25 the doxology is to God through Christ. For other doxologies see 1 Peter 5:11; 2 Peter 3:18; Galatians 1:5; Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; Philemon 4:20; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:16; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 13:21; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 7:12. The others addressed to Christ are 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 1:6. [source]
1 Peter 1:7 Being more precious [πολυτιμοτερον]
No word for “being” Ablative case after the comparative adjective.That perisheth Present middle articular participle of απολλυμι — apollumi to destroy. Even gold perishes (wears away).Though it is proved by fire (δια πυρος δε δοκιμαζομενου — dia puros de dokimazomenou). Present passive articular participle (in the ablative like χρυσιου — chrusiou) of δοκιμαζω — dokimazō (common verb for testing metals) with δε — de which gives a concessive sense to the participle. Faith stands the test of fire better than gold, but even gold is refined by fire.That might be found Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of ευρισκω — heuriskō common verb, to find. As in 2 Peter 3:14, this is the result of the probation by God as the Refiner of hearts.Unto praise and glory and honour (εις επαινον και δοχαν και τιμην — eis epainon kai doxan kai timēn). Here probably both to God and man in the result. Cf. Matthew 5:11.; Romans 2:7, Romans 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:17.At the revelation of Jesus Christ So also in 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Luke 17:30 of the second coming of Christ as the Judge and Rewarder (Bigg). [source]
1 Peter 1:7 That perisheth [του απολλυμενου]
Present middle articular participle of απολλυμι — apollumi to destroy. Even gold perishes (wears away).Though it is proved by fire (δια πυρος δε δοκιμαζομενου — dia puros de dokimazomenou). Present passive articular participle (in the ablative like χρυσιου — chrusiou) of δοκιμαζω — dokimazō (common verb for testing metals) with δε — de which gives a concessive sense to the participle. Faith stands the test of fire better than gold, but even gold is refined by fire.That might be found Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of ευρισκω — heuriskō common verb, to find. As in 2 Peter 3:14, this is the result of the probation by God as the Refiner of hearts.Unto praise and glory and honour (εις επαινον και δοχαν και τιμην — eis epainon kai doxan kai timēn). Here probably both to God and man in the result. Cf. Matthew 5:11.; Romans 2:7, Romans 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:17.At the revelation of Jesus Christ So also in 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Luke 17:30 of the second coming of Christ as the Judge and Rewarder (Bigg). [source]
1 Peter 4:11 Speaking as it were oracles of God [ως λογια τεου]
No predicate in this conclusion of the condition. For λογια τεου — logia theou see Acts 7:38 (Mosaic law); Romans 3:2 (the Old Testament); Acts 6:2-463 (the substance of Christian teaching), here of the utterances of God through Christian teachers. Λογιον — Logion (old word) is a diminutive of λογος — logos (speech, word). It can be construed here as nominative or as accusative. The verb has to be supplied.If any one ministereth (ει τις διακονει — ei tis diakonei). First-class condition again. See 1713604819_8 for the twofold division of service involved here.Which God supplieth Ablative case Peter has the compound επιχορηγεω — epichorēgeō in 2 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:11. God is the supplier of strength.That God may be glorified (ινα δοχαζηται ο τεος — hina doxazētai ho theos). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the present passive subjunctive of δοχαζω — doxazō See John 15:8.Whose is “To whom (dative) is,” that is to Jesus Christ the immediate antecedent, but in Romans 16:27; Judges 1:25 the doxology is to God through Christ. For other doxologies see 1 Peter 5:11; 2 Peter 3:18; Galatians 1:5; Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; Philemon 4:20; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:16; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 13:21; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 7:12. The others addressed to Christ are 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 1:6. [source]
1 Peter 4:11 Which God supplieth [ης χορηγει ο τεος]
Ablative case Peter has the compound επιχορηγεω — epichorēgeō in 2 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:11. God is the supplier of strength.That God may be glorified (ινα δοχαζηται ο τεος — hina doxazētai ho theos). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the present passive subjunctive of δοχαζω — doxazō See John 15:8.Whose is “To whom (dative) is,” that is to Jesus Christ the immediate antecedent, but in Romans 16:27; Judges 1:25 the doxology is to God through Christ. For other doxologies see 1 Peter 5:11; 2 Peter 3:18; Galatians 1:5; Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; Philemon 4:20; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:16; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 13:21; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 7:12. The others addressed to Christ are 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 1:6. [source]
Revelation 15:3 And the song of the Lamb [την ωιδην του αρνιου]
A separate note of victory like that of Moses, though one song, not two. Charles finds it impossible to reconcile the two expressions, if genuine, but it is a needless objection. The words come from the O.T.: “great” (μεγαλα — megala) from Psalm 111:2, “wonderful” (ταυμαστα — thaumasta) from Psalm 139:14, “O Lord God the Almighty” (Κυριε ο τεος ο παντοκρατωρ — Kurie ho theos ho pantokratōr) from Amos 4:13 (Revelation 4:8), “righteous and true” (δικαιαι και αλητιναι — dikaiai kai alēthinai) from Deuteronomy 32:4, “Thou King of the ages” (ο βασιλευς των αιωνων — ho basileus tōn aiōnōn) like Jeremiah 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:17. Some MSS. have “the king of the saints” and some “the king of the nations,” like Jeremiah 10:7. John thus combines in Hebraic tone the expressions of the old and the new in the song to the Glorified Messiah. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 1:17 mean?

To now [the] King of the ages [the] immortal invisible only God [be] honor and glory to the ages Amen
Τῷ δὲ Βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων ἀφθάρτῳ ἀοράτῳ μόνῳ Θεῷ τιμὴ καὶ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας ἀμήν

δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
Βασιλεῖ  [the]  King 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: βασιλεύς  
Sense: leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
αἰώνων  ages 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: αἰών  
Sense: for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity.
ἀφθάρτῳ  [the]  immortal 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄφθαρτος  
Sense: uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable.
ἀοράτῳ  invisible 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀόρατος  
Sense: unseen, or that which can not be seen, e.
μόνῳ  only 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: μόνος  
Sense: alone (without a companion), forsaken, destitute of help, alone, only, merely.
Θεῷ  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τιμὴ  [be]  honor 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: τιμή  
Sense: a valuing by which the price is fixed.
δόξα  glory 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
αἰῶνας  ages 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: αἰών  
Sense: for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity.
ἀμήν  Amen 
Parse: Hebrew Word
Root: ἀμήν  
Sense: firm.