1 Timothy 1:13

1 Timothy 1:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
• New International Version (NIV)Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
• English Standard Version (ESV)though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
• New King James Version (NKJV)although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Context of 1 Timothy 1:13

11according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

1 Timothy 1:13 word by word

τὸ πρότερον ὄντα βλάσφημον καὶ διώκτην καὶ ὑβριστήν· ἀλλ᾽ ἠλεήθην, ὅτι ἀγνοῶν ἐποίησα ἐν ἀπιστίᾳ·Read the interlinear

• even though I was formerlyπρότεροςproteros · beforeG4387
• a blasphemerβλάσφημοςblasphēmos · blasphemousG989
• persecutorδιώκτηςdiōktēs · persecutorG1376
• and a violentὑβριστήςhubristēs · insolent manG5197
• Yetἀλλάalla · butG235
• shownἐλεέωeleeō · to have mercyG1653
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• I actedποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• ignorantlyἀγνοέωagnoeō · be ignorantG50
• in unbeliefἀπιστίαapistia · unbeliefG570

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 1:13

• Acts 8:3But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
• Acts 9:1Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
• Acts 22:4I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons,
• Acts 26:9“So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
• 1 Corinthians 15:9For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
• Galatians 1:13For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;
• Philippians 3:6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
• 1 Timothy 1:16Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
• Hosea 2:23I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, And I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, ‘You are my God!’”
• Romans 5:20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
• Romans 11:30For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
• Hebrews 4:16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
• 1 Peter 2:10for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
• Numbers 15:30But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his people.
• Luke 12:47And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,
• Luke 23:34But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 1:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13A blasphemer - Speaking impiously and unjustly of Jesus, his doctrine, his ways, and his followers. And - persecutor - Endeavouring, to the uttermost of his power, to exterminate all who called on the name of the Lord Jesus. And injurious - ̔· As full of insolence as I was of malevolence; and yet, all the while, thinking I did God service, while sacrificing men and women to my own prejudices and intolerance. I did it ignorantly in unbelief - Not having…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Who was before a blasphemer - This does not mean that Paul before his conversion was what would now be regarded as an open blasphemer - that he was one who abused and reviled sacred things, or one who was in the habit of profane swearing. His character appears to have been just the reverse of this, for he was remarkable for treating what he regarded as sacred with the utmost respect; see the notes on Philemon 3:4-6. The meaning is, that he had reviled the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 The apostle knew that he would justly have perished, if the Lord had been extreme to mark what was amiss; and also if his grace and mercy had not been abundant to him when dead in sin, working faith and love to Christ in his heart. This is a faithful saying; these are true and faithful words, which may be depended on, That the Son of God came into the world, willingly and purposely to save sinners. No man, with Paul's example before him, can…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-17I thank Christ Jesus our Lord: This expression of thanks is a side note from Paul’s message to Timothy (1:3–11, 18–20). Paul’s role in proclaiming the good news about Jesus prompts gratitude and shows why he is thankful (1:11). It also serves as a model for readers. When discussing his work, Paul gives credit to God and makes it evident he is doing God's work (see also 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 2:14–17; 3:4–6; 4:7; 12:9–10).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. Who was before--Greek, "Formerly being a blasphemer." "Notwithstanding that I was before a blasphemer," &c. (Ac 26:9, 11). persecutor--(Ga 1:13). injurious--Greek, "insulter"; one who acts injuriously from arrogant contempt of others. Translate, Ro 1:30, "despiteful." One who added insult to injury. Bengel translates, "a despiser." I prefer the idea, contumelious to others [Wahl]. Still I agree with Bengel that "blasphemer" is against God…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 1:13

• Blasphemy
• God Continued...
• Ignorance
• Judgment
• Minister, Christian
• Paul
• Salvation
• Unbelief

In the dictionaries

• Acceptation
• Blasphemer
• Charity
• Heed
• Immortal
• Save
• Blasphemy
• Ignorance
• Injurious
• Mercy; Merciful

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings