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, which was committed to my trust. 12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

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

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Who wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• beforeπρότερονproteron · previouslyG4386
• a blasphemerβλάσφημοςblasphēmos · blasphemousG989
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• a persecutorδιώκτηςdiōktēs · persecutorG1376
• injuriousὑβριστήςhubristēs · insolent manG5197
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• I obtained mercyἐλεέωeleeō · to have mercyG1653
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• I didποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• ignorantlyἀγνοέωagnoeō · be ignorantG50
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• unbeliefἀπιστίαapistia · unbeliefG570

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 1:13

• Acts 8:3As for Saul, he made havock of the Assembly, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
• Acts 9:1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
• Acts 22:4And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
• Acts 26:9I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
• 1 Corinthians 15:9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Assembly of God.
• Galatians 1:13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the Assembly of God, and wasted it:
• Philippians 3:6Concerning zeal, persecuting the Assembly; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
• 1 Timothy 1:16Howbeit 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.
• Hosea 2:23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
• Romans 5:20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
• Romans 11:30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
• Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
• 1 Peter 2:10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
• Numbers 15:30But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth Yhwh; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
• Luke 12:47And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
• Luke 23:34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

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