1 Timothy 1:17: A Doxology from the Chief Sinner
2021-08-31
The only response to Paul’s radical transformation from persecutor to apostle is praise: “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17). He praises Him by enumerating incommunicable attributes of God that are parts of His holiness. God the Father is the King enthroned in heaven. He is eternally King but also He alone is eternal in both directions: eternity past and eternity future. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).
God is also immortal. God cannot be defeated. The Son of God may have died in the flesh, but in no way could He ever stay dead: “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (Acts 2:24). This trait complements His being eternal.
God our Father is also invisible. This is important because “God is a Spirit” (John 4:24) and “a spirit hath not flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39). He does not consist of atoms like created matter. Since He had no origin and was not created, He does not consist of material. We are not going to see Him unless He reveals Himself to us.
God is also “the only wise God.” “For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens” (Psalm 96:5). “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens” (Proverbs 3:19). On the contrary, “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands” (Psalms 115:4). “Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him” (Habakkuk 2:19-20).
Because of who He is and what He has done, He has “honour and glory.” Looking at these terms will be beneficial, because we use them all the time concerning God, but perhaps do not think what they mean. Honor can mean respect and worthy of obedience: “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). He is held in high esteem is above all reproach. Concerning glory, Joseph told his brothers to “tell my father of all my glory in Egypt” (Genesis 45:13). The godly vizier was the second in command over the nation of Egypt: “Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou” (Genesis 41:40). Glory involves having displayed preeminence and splendor; God’s glory is without peer in the entire universe. These are mere shadows of honor and glory; all real honor and glory belongs to God. That is not all; we ascribe to him honor and glory because they rightfully belong to Him, and they will belong to Him forever.