1 Timothy 1:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἀλλὰ
G235
Howbeit
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#2
διὰ
G1223
cause
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#3
τοῦτο
G5124
for this
that thing
#4
ἠλεήθην
G1653
I obtained mercy
to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
#5
ἵνα
G2443
that
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
#6
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#7
ἐμοὶ
G1698
me
to me
#8
πρώτῳ
G4413
first
foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
#9
ἐνδείξηται
G1731
might shew forth
to indicate (by word or act)
#10
Ἰησοῦς
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#11
Χριστὸς
G5547
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#12
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
πᾶσαν
G3956
all
all, any, every, the whole
#14
μακροθυμίαν
G3115
longsuffering
longanimity, i.e., (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude
#15
πρὸς
G4314
for
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#16
ὑποτύπωσιν
G5296
a pattern
typification under (after), i.e., (concretely) a sketch (figuratively) for imitation
#17
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
μελλόντων
G3195
to them which should hereafter
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
#19
πιστεύειν
G4100
believe
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#20
ἐπ'
G1909
on
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#21
αὐτῷ
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#22
εἰς
G1519
to
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#23
ζωὴν
G2222
life
life (literally or figuratively)
#24
αἰώνιον
G166
everlasting
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection