1 Timothy 1:16

1 Timothy 1:16 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
• New King James Version (NKJV)However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Context of 1 Timothy 1:16

14Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. 15This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. 18Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.

1 Timothy 1:16 word by word

ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦτο ἠλεήθην, ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ πρώτῳ ἐνδείξηται Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς τὴν ἅπασαν μακροθυμίαν πρὸς ὑποτύπωσιν τῶν μελλόντων πιστεύειν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Howbeitἀλλάalla · butG235
• forδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• this causeοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• I obtained mercyἐλεέωeleeō · to have mercyG1653
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• firstπρῶτοςprōtos · first: bestG4413
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• might shew forthἐνδείκνυμιendeiknumi · to showG1731
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• longsufferingμακροθυμίαmakrothumia · patienceG3115
• forπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• a patternὑποτύπωσιςhupotupōsis · exampleG5296
• to them which should hereafterμέλλωmellō · to ensueG3195
• believeπιστεύωpisteuō · to trust (in)G4100
• onἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• lifeζωήzōē · lifeG2222
• everlastingαἰώνιοςaiōnios · eternalG166

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 1:16

• Numbers 23:3Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go to see if the Lord will respond to me. Then I will tell you whatever he reveals to me.” So Balaam went alone to the top of a bare hill,
• Psalms 25:11For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins.
• Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.
• Isaiah 43:25“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.
• Ephesians 1:6So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
• Ephesians 2:7So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:10When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
• 1 Timothy 1:13even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.
• 2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.
• Exodus 34:8Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped.
• Romans 2:4Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
• 1 Peter 3:20those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
• 2 Peter 3:9The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
• 2 Chronicles 33:9But Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations that the Lord had destroyed when the people of Israel entered the land.
• Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
• Luke 7:47“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

Commentaries on 1 Timothy 1:16

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Howbeit for this cause - That is, this was one of the causes, or this was a leading reason. We are not to suppose that this was the only one. God had other ends to answer by his conversion than this, but this was one of the designs why he was pardoned - that there might be for all ages a permanent proof that sins of the deepest dye might be forgiven. It was well to have one such example at the outset, that a doubt might never arise about the possibility…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. 1616. Howbeit--Greek, "But"; contrasting his own conscious sinfulness with God's gracious visitation of him in mercy. for this cause--for this very purpose. that in me--in my case. first--"foremost." As I was "foremost" (Greek for chief, 1Ti 1:15) in sin, so God has made me the "foremost" sample of mercy. show--to His own glory (the middle Greek, voice), Ep 2:7. all long-suffering--Greek, "the whole (of His) long-suffering," namely, in bearing so long with…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Timothy 1:16

• Example
• Faith
• Life
• Longsuffering
• Righteous
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Jesus
• Christ, Messiah
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Jesus Christ
• Acceptation
• Blasphemer
• Charity
• Eternal life
• Heed

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