1 Timothy 1 · Verse 13

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1 Timothy 1:13, King James Version

1 Timothy 1:13 in other translations

BSBI was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
WEBalthough I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
ASVthough I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
YLTwho before was speaking evil, and persecuting, and insulting, but I found kindness, because, being ignorant, I did it in unbelief,
DARBYwho before was a blasphemer and persecutor, and an insolent overbearing man: but mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief.
BBEThough I had said violent words against God, and done cruel acts, causing great trouble: but I was given mercy, because I did it without knowledge, not having faith;
WebsterWho was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief:

What does 1 Timothy 1:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. Who was before--Greek, "Formerly being a blasphemer." "Notwithstanding that I was before a blasphemer," &c. (Ac 26:9, 11). persecutor--(Ga 1:13). injurious--Greek, "insulter"; one who acts injuriously from arrogant contempt of others. Translate, Ro 1:30, "despiteful." One who added insult to injury. Bengel translates, "a despiser." I prefer the idea, contumelious to others [Wahl]. Still I agree with Bengel that "blasphemer" is against God, "persecutor," against holy men, and "insolently injurious" includes, with the idea of injuring others, that of insolent "uppishness" [Donaldson] in relation to one's self. This threefold relation to God, to one's neighbor, and to one's self, occurs often in this Epistle (1Ti 1:5, 9, 14; Tit 2:12). I obtained mercy--God's mercy, and Paul's want of it, stand in sharp contrast [Ellicott]; Greek, "I was made the object of mercy." The sense of mercy was perpetual in the mind of the apostle (compare Note, see on 1Ti 1:2). Those who have felt mercy can best have mercy on those out of the way (He 5:2, 3). because I did it ignorantly--Ignorance does not in itself deserve pardon; but it is a less culpable cause of unbelief than pride and wilful hardening of one's self against the truth (Joh 9:41; Ac 26:9). Hence it is Christ's plea of intercession for His murderers (Lu 23:34); and it is made by the apostles a mitigating circumstance in the Jews' sin, and one giving a hope of a door of repentance (Ac 3:17; Ro 10:2). The "because," &c., does not imply that ignorance was a sufficient reason for mercy being bestowed; but shows how it was possible that such a sinner could obtain mercy. The positive ground of mercy being shown to him, lies solely in the compassion of God (Tit 3:5). The ground of the ignorance lies in the unbelief, which implies that this ignorance is not unaccompanied with guilt. But there is a great difference between his honest zeal for the law, and a wilful striving against the Spirit of God (Mt 12:24-32; Lu 11:52) [Wiesinger].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. Who was before a blasphemer. This does not mean that Paul before his conversion was what would now be regarded as an open blasphemer--that he was one who abused and reviled sacred things, or one who was in the habit of profane swearing. His character appears to have been just the reverse of this, for he was remarkable for treating what he regarded as sacred with the utmost respect. Php 3:4-6. The meaning is, that he had reviled the name of Christ, and opposed him and his cause--not believing that he was the Messiah; and in thus opposing he had really been guilty of blasphemy. The true Messiah he had in fact treated with contempt and reproaches; and he now looked back upon that fact with the deepest mortification, and with wonder that one who had been so treated by him should have been willing to put him into the ministry. On the meaning of the word blaspheme, Mt 9:3. Compare Acts 26:11. In his conduct here referred to, Paul elsewhere says, that he thought at the time that he was doing what he ought to do, Acts 26:9; here he says that he now regarded it as blasphemy. Learn hence that men may have very different views of their conduct when they come to look at it in subsequent life. What they now regard as harmless, or even as right and proper, may hereafter overwhelm them with shame and remorse. The sinner will yet feel the deepest self-reproaches for that which now gives us no uneasiness.

And a persecutor. Acts 9:1, Acts 22:4, 26:11, 1Cor 15:9, Gal 1:13,23.

And injurious. The word here used, (υβριστης,) occurs only in one other place in the New Testament, Rom 1:30, where it is tendered despiteful. The word injurious does not quite express its force. It does not mean merely doing injury, but refers rather to the manner or spirit in which it is done. It is a word of intenser signification than either the word "blasphemer," or "persecutor," and means that what he did was done with a proud, haughty, insolent spirit. There was wicked and malicious violence, an arrogance and spirit of tyranny in what he did, which greatly aggravated the wrong that was done. Comp. the Greek in Mt 22:6, Lk 11:45, 18:32, Acts 14:5, 1Thes 2:2; 2Cor 12:10, for illustrations of the meaning of the word. Tindal and Coverdale render it here "tyrant."

But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Comp. Lk 23:34. The ignorance and unbelief of Paul were not such excuses for what he did that they would wholly free him from blame, nor did he regard them as such--for what he did was with a violent and wicked spirit--but they were mitigating circumstances. They served to modify his guilt, and were among the reasons why God had mercy on him. What is said here, therefore, accords with what the Saviour said in his prayer for his murderers: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." It is undoubtedly true that persons who sin ignorantly, and who regard themselves as right in what they do, are much more likely to obtain mercy than those who do wrong designedly.

(a) "a blasphemer" Acts 8:3, 1Cor 15:9 (b) "ignorantly" Lk 23:34

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 A blasphemer - Speaking impiously and unjustly of Jesus, his doctrine, his ways, and his followers. And - persecutor - Endeavouring, to the uttermost of his power, to exterminate all who called on the name of the Lord Jesus. And injurious - Και ὑβριστην· As full of insolence as I was of malevolence; and yet, all the while, thinking I did God service, while sacrificing men and women to my own prejudices and intolerance. I did it ignorantly in unbelief - Not having considered the nature and evidences of Christianity, and not having believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, I acted wholly under the prejudices that influenced my countrymen in general. God therefore showed me mercy, because I acted under this influence, not knowing better. This extension of mercy, does not, however, excuse the infuriated conduct of Saul of Tarsus, for he says himself that he was exceedingly mad against them. Let us beware, lest we lose the man's former crimes in his after character.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy 1:12-17

The apostle knew that he would justly have perished, if the Lord had been extreme to mark what was amiss; and also if his grace and mercy had not been abundant to him when dead in sin, working faith and love to Christ in his heart. This is a faithful saying; these are true and faithful words, which may be depended on, That the Son of God came into the world, willingly and purposely to save sinners. No man, with…

Read the full comment on 1 Timothy 1:12-17 →

1 Timothy 1:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τὸto<the>G3588
πρότερονproteronformerlyG4386
ὄνταontabeingG1510
βλάσφημονblasphēmona blasphemerG989
καὶkaiandG2532
διώκτηνdiōktēna persecutorG1376
καὶkaiandG2532
ὑβριστήν·hubristēninsolent;G5197
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ἠλεήθην,ēleēthēnI was shown mercy,G1653
ὅτιhotibecauseG3754
ἀγνοῶνagnoōnbeing ignorantG50
ἐποίησαepoiēsaI did [it]G4160
ἐνeninG1722
ἀπιστίᾳ·apistiaunbelief;G570

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Timothy 1:13

  • Acts 8:3

    As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

  • Hebrews 6:4-8

    For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: …

  • 1 Peter 2:10

    Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

  • 2 Peter 2:21-22

    For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

  • Acts 9:13

    Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

  • Acts 3:17

    And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

  • Hebrews 10:26-29

    For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  • John 9:39-41

    And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

  • Luke 23:34

    Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

  • Hosea 2:23

    And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

  • Acts 26:9-11

    I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
was.
Ac 8:3; 9:1,5,13; 22:4; 26:9-11; 1Co 15:9; Ga 1:13; Php 3:6
but.
16; Ho 2:23; Ro 5:20,21; 11:30,31; Heb 4:16; 1Pe 2:10
because.
Nu 15:30; Lu 12:47; 23:34; Joh 9:39-41; Ac 3:17; 26:9; Heb 6:4-8
Heb 10:26-29; 2Pe 2:21,22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Timothy 1:12

    And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

  • 1 Timothy 1:14

    And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Read all of 1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Habiendo sido antes blasfemo y perseguidor é injuriador: mas fuí recibido á misericordia, porque lo hice con ignorancia en incredulidad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		moi qui auparavant étais un blasphémateur, et un persécuteur, et un outrageux; mais miséricorde m’a été faite, parce que j’ai agi dans l’ignorance, dans l’incrédulité;
German
Elberfelder 1871		der zuvor ein Lästerer und Verfolger und Gewalttäter war; aber mir ist Barmherzigkeit zuteil geworden, weil ich es unwissend im Unglauben tat.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		qui prius blasphemus fui, et persecutor, et contumeliosus: sed misericordiam Dei consecutus sum, quia ignorans feci in incredulitate.