^1:16But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that²⁰ in me as the worst,²¹ Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. ^1:17Now to the eternal king,²² immortal, invisible, the only²³ God, be honor and glory forever and ever!²⁴ Amen.

Read in Logos

1 Timothy 1:17: To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Footnotes

20 Grk “but because of this I was treated with mercy, so that …”
21 Grk “in me first,” making the connection with the last phrase of v. 15.
22 Or more literally, “king of the ages.”
23 Most later witnesses (א2 D1 Hc Ψ 1881 𝔐) have “wise” (σόφῳ, sōphō) here (thus, “the only wise God”), while the earlier and better witnesses (א* A D* F G H* 33 1739 lat co) lack this adjective. Although it could be argued that the longer reading is harder since it does not as emphatically affirm monotheism, it is more likely that scribes borrowed σόφῳ from Rom 16:27 where μόνῳ σόφῳ θεῷ (monō sophō theō, “the only wise God”) is textually solid.
24 Grk “unto the ages of the ages,” an emphatic way of speaking about eternity in Greek.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

NLTNew Living Translation

But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

But because of this I was shown mercy, in order that in me foremost, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his total patience, for an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, to the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

KJV 1900King 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. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Public Domain