1Ti 1:13-16 | RWP | e4.org | Before ( το προτερον ). Accusative of general reference of the articular comparative, "as to the former-time," formerly, as in . Though I was ( οντα ). Concessive participle agreeing with με . Blasphemer ( βλασφημον ). Old word either from βλαξ (stupid) and φημη , speech, or from βλαπτω , to injure. Rare in N.T. but Paul uses βλασφημεω , to blaspheme in . Persecutor ( διωκτης ). So far found only here. Probably made by Paul from διωκω , which he knew well enough ( , ; .; , ; ; ). Injurious ( υβριστην ). Substantive, not adjective, "an insolent man." Old word from υβριζω , in N.T. only here and . I obtained mercy ( ελεηθην ). First aorist passive indicative of ελεεω , old verb. See ; . Ignorantly ( αγνοων ). Present active participle of αγνοεω , "not knowing." Old verb ( ). In a blindness of heart. In unbelief ( εν απιστια ). See , .

‏ 1 Timothy 1:13-16

Before ( το προτερον ). Accusative of general reference of the articular comparative, "as to the former-time," formerly, as in Ga 4:13.

Though I was ( οντα ). Concessive participle agreeing with με.

Blasphemer ( βλασφημον ). Old word either from βλαξ (stupid) and φημη, speech, or from βλαπτω, to injure. Rare in N.T. but Paul uses βλασφημεω, to blaspheme in Ro 2:24.

Persecutor ( διωκτης ). So far found only here. Probably made by Paul from διωκω, which he knew well enough (Ac 22:4, 7; 26:14f.; Ga 1:13, 23; Php 3:6; 2Ti 3:12).

Injurious ( υβριστην ). Substantive, not adjective, "an insolent man." Old word from υβριζω, in N.T. only here and Ro 1:30.

I obtained mercy ( ελεηθην ). First aorist passive indicative of ελεεω, old verb. See 2Co 4:1; Ro 11:30f.

Ignorantly ( αγνοων ). Present active participle of αγνοεω, "not knowing." Old verb (Ro 2:4). In a blindness of heart.

In unbelief ( εν απιστια ). See Ro 11:20, 25.

Abounded exceedingly ( υπερεπλεονασεν ). Aorist active indicative of the late and rare (So 5:19 and in Herond.) compound υπερπλεοναζω (here alone in N.T.), in later ecclesiastical writers. The simplex πλεοναζω Paul used in Ro 5:20; 6:1 and the kindred υπερεπερισσευσεν used also with η χαρις. Paul is fond of compounds with υπερ. For "faith in Christ Jesus" see Ga 3:26, for "faith and love in Christ Jesus" as here, see 2Ti 1:13.

Faithful is the saying ( πιστος ο λογος ). Five times in the Pastorals (1Ti 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Tit 3:8; 2Ti 2:11). It will pay to note carefully πιστισ, πιστευω, πιστος. Same use of πιστος (trustworthy) applied to λογος in Tit 1:9; Re 21:5; 22:6. Here and probably in 2Ti 2:11 a definite saying seems to be referred to, possibly a quotation ( οτ ) of a current saying quite like the Johannine type of teaching. This very phrase (Christ coming into the world) occurs in Joh 9:37; 11:27; 16:28; 18:37. Paul, of course, had no access to the Johannine writings, but such "sayings" were current among the disciples. There is no formal quotation, but "the whole phrase implies a knowledge of Synoptic and Johannine language" (Lock) as in Lu 5:32; Joh 12:47.

Acceptation ( αποδοχης ). Genitive case with αξιος (worthy of). Late word (Polybius, Diod., Jos.) in N.T. only here and 4:9.

Chief ( πρωτος ). Not ην (I was), but ειμ (I am). "It is not easy to think of any one but St. Paul as penning these words" (White). In 1Co 15:9 he had called himself "the least of the apostles" ( ελαχιστος των αποστολων ). In Eph 3:8 he refers to himself as "the less than the least of all saints" ( τω ελαχιστοτερω παντων αγιων ). On occasion Paul would defend himself as on a par with the twelve apostles (Ga 2:6-10) and superior to the Judaizers (2Co 11:5f.; 12:11). It is not mock humility here, but sincere appreciation of the sins of his life (cf. Ro 7:24) as a persecutor of the church of God (Ga 1:13), of men and even women (Ac 22:4f.; 26:11). He had sad memories of those days.

In me as chief ( εν εμο πρωτω ). Probably starts with the same sense of πρωτος as in verse 15 (rank), but turns to order (first in line). Paul becomes the "specimen" sinner as an encouragement to all who come after him.

Might shew forth ( ενδειξητα ). First aorist middle subjunctive (purpose with ινα ) of ενδεικνυμ, to point out, for which see Eph 2:7 (same form with ινα ).

Longsuffering ( μακροθυμιαν ). Common Pauline word (2Co 6:6).

For an ensample ( προς υποτυπωσιν ). Late and rare word (in Galen, Sext. Emp., Diog. Laert., here only in N.T.) from late verb υποτυποω (in papyri) to outline. So substantive here is a sketch, rough outline. Paul is a sample of the kind of sinners that Jesus came to save. See υποδειγμα in 2Pe 2:6.