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"To the King eternal..."

Text: 1 Timothy 1:17

BREAKING INTO A DOXOLOGY

The apostle Paul was so deeply moved as he wrote about his salvation that he broke into a heartfelt doxology.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
To God who alone is wise, be honour and glory
forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Timothy 1:17

1. “Now to the King”

a) Paul suddenly thought of the Lord as “King”.

b) The sovereignty of the Lord stood out to him.

i) A King has sovereign prerogative.

ii) He can grant a total pardon for all sins.

iii) He can grant eternal life if He so wishes.

c) This great King had shown such great mercy, grace, faith and love to Paul.

d) His heart was deeply moved.

e) This was a special moment of worship indeed.

2. Doxology

a) A doxology seeks to ascribe glory to God.

b) This text is an example of a heartfelt attempt to give all glory to God.

c) The following attributes of “the King” were highlighted:-

i) His “eternal” essence.

ii) His “immortal” being.

iii) His “invisible” attribute (in contrast to visible creation).

iv) His “Godhood” (“Deity”).

v) His supreme, absolute and profound “wisdom”.

d) Ascribing “honour and glory”

i) This phrase identifies this text as a doxology.

ii) Appropriately Paul gives glory to the Lord “forever and ever”.

iii) This ascription of glory to God suggests that Paul was deeply moved.

iv) It is a spontaneous expression of the soul to give glory to the Lord Jesus Christ for the King and God that He truly is!