“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17 (ESV)
Today’s text is a doxology by the Apostle Paul. It is one of several in his epistles (Rom. 11:33-36). A doxology is a liturgical formula of praise to God. The term doxology comes from the Latin doxologia. This comes from the Greek word doxa meaning glory and logia meaning an oral or written expression. Therefore, a doxology is an oral or written expression of praise to God. Current examples would be The Gloria in Excelsis and the Gloria Patri.
In producing a written expression of praise to the Lord, Paul included several titles and names for the Lord. They include King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God. What do each of these titles mean with respect to the Lord?
King of the Ages. The phrase King of the ages (βασιλεῖ αἰώνων; basilei aionon) refers to an induvial who has absolute authority and who is eternal. This phrase could be accurately translated “to the only eternal king.” In the immediate context (1:16), this title refers explicitly to the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Man proposes; God disposes. Man—for instance Paul before his conversion—may try to destroy the church; God will establish it. And for that purpose he will use the very man who tried to destroy it! Hence, though man is a mere creature of time, God is the King of the ages, over-ruling evil for good; directing to its predetermined goal whatever happens throughout each era of the world’s history. His “dominion endures throughout all generations” (Ps. 145:13),” explains Dr. William Hendriksen..[1]
Immortal. Immortal (ἀφθάρτῳ; aphtharto) means imperishable and not subject to either decay or death. It also refers to incorruptibility, blamelessness, and purity. Since Christ is the King of the ages, He is also immortal.
“This implies that he is the eternal God, and as such “imperishable” (the best reading). His arms never become tired (Deut. 32:27). He never grows weary (Is. 40:28). Decay and death are not applicable to him (Ps. 103:15–17). He never changes (Mal. 3:6). On the contrary, he is the inexhaustible reservoir of strength, ever new, for his people (Is. 40:29–31). For the doctrine of God’s imperishability see also Rom. 1:23; and cf. the synonym immortality (see 1 Tim. 6:16).[2]
Invisible. Invisible (ἀοράτῳ; aorato) refers to what cannot be seen. This is also applicable to the One, True God; Jesus Christ.
“20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20 (ESV)
“When one thinks of God as the imperishable, the mind inevitably turns to those objects that are perishable, for example, grass, the flowers of the field (Ps. 103:15–17), man’s body, birds, quadrupeds, creeping creatures (Rom. 1:23). These are all visible. God, being imperishable, is also invisible, “whom no one has seen or can see” (1 Tim. 6:16). It is only in his Image (Col. 1:15, 16) that man “sees Him who is invisible,” and then only by faith (Heb. 11:27), and in a finite manner. Never shall we be able to “find out the Almighty unto perfection” (Job 11:7, 8). Paul surely was not able to comprehend the grace of God which had been shown to him. Here all reasoning stops. There is room only for doxologies!”[3]
The Only God. The phrase the only God (μόνῳ θεῷ; mono theo) means the One who alone is the One, True God. There is none other.
6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. 8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” (Isaiah 44:6–8 (ESV)
5 “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, 6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:5–6 (ESV)
“Such a God, finally, is the “only” God; not merely in the coldly abstract sense that numerically there is but one God, but in the warm, scriptural sense, namely, that this one God is “unique, incomparable, glorious, lovable” (Deut. 6:4, 5; Is. 40:12–31; Rom. 16:27; 1 Cor. 8:4, 5).” [4]
What is the Apostle Paul’s response to such truth? What ought to be our response to such truth? Believers in Christ are to give God honor and glory forever and ever. Honor (τιμὴ; time) means to give respect and value. Glory (δόξα; doxa) means to give praise and honor. This is to the believers’ perspective and discipline for eternity. Paul concludes his doxology with a fervent Amen.
May the passion of our life be to praise, honor, respect and value the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Amen.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 83.
[2] Ibid. 83.
[3] Ibid.83–84.
[4] Ibid. 84.
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