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

11in keeping with what was entrusted to me, the glorious Good News of the blessed God. 12I thank Messiah Yeshua our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to service— even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. Yet I was shown mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed with the faith and love that are in Messiah Yeshua. 15Trustworthy is the saying and deserving of complete acceptance: “Messiah Yeshua came into the world to save sinners”—of whom I am foremost.

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·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 8:3But Saul was destroying Messiah’s community, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he was throwing them into prison.
• Acts 9:1Now Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the Lord’s disciples, went to the kohen gadol .
• Acts 22:4I persecuted this Way to the death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prisons—
• Acts 26:9“In fact, I myself thought it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Yeshua ha-Natzrati.
• 1 Corinthians 15:9For I am the least of the emissaries, unworthy to be called an emissary because I persecuted God’s community.
• Galatians 1:13For you have heard of my earlier behavior in Judaism—how I persecuted God’s community beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
• Philippians 3:6as for zeal, persecuting Messiah’s community; as for Torah righteousness, found blameless.
• 1 Timothy 1:16Yet for this reason I was shown mercy—so that in me as the foremost, Messiah Yeshua might demonstrate His complete patience, as an example for those about to put their trust in Him for eternal life.
• Hosea 2:23So it will be in that day, I will respond —it is a declaration of adonai— I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth,
• Romans 5:20Now the Torah came in so that transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace overflowed even 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 to the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need.
• 1 Peter 2:10Once you were “not a people,” but now you are “God’s people.” You were shown “no mercy,” but now you have been shown “mercy.”
• Numbers 15:30“But the person who sins defiantly, whether native or outsider, reviles Adonai and that person is to be cut off from his people.
• Luke 12:47“That slave who knew his master’s will but did not prepare or act according to his desire will be harshly whipped.
• Luke 23:34But Yeshua was saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Then they cast lots, dividing up His clothing.

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