Lectionary Year C
September 16, 2001
1 Timothy 1:12-17

Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

Step I - (Initial) Acquaintance

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) The New American Standard Bible, the New English Translation and the Revised Standard Version of the Bible differ slightly, according to these references:

12 He considered - NASB
he considered - NET
he judged me - RSV

13 even though formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor - NASB
even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. - NET
though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him; - RSV

14 was more than abundant, - NASB
was abundant, - NET
overflowed for me - RSV

with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. - NASB
bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus. - NET
with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. - RSV

15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, - NASB
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: - NET
This saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, - RSV

among whom I am foremost of all. - NASB
and I am the worst of them! - NET
And I am the foremost of sinners; - RSV

16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, - NASB
But here is why I was treated with mercy: - NET
but I received mercy for this reason, - RSV

demonstrate his perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him - NASB
demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him - NET
display his perfect patience for an example for those who were to believe in him - RSV

B. Textual Criticism

(JFC) Neither of what researchers call, for I Timothy, the "important" Papyri (20 and 23) seem to offer any variants in these verses. In verse 13, for the first word, to', A and Y and the minuscules 81 and 1739 and a few others retain the text as received instead of altering to. to read ton, a different spelling of the accusative case of the article, as some minor redactions have. Then, a few words later, between o;nta and bla,sfhmon, A, Y and the minuscule 81 and a few others add me, a pronoun in the first person as an object of the verb. Such a variant seems contrary to the sense of the verse, even though the weight of the witnesses would warrant such an addition.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 12 Grace I have in the having made strong (aorist active participle) me in Christ Jesus the Lord of ours, that trusting me he considered in placing into ministry/ task/office/service 13 formerly/earlier I am being a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent person, but I was found by mercy, because I am ignorant I did/made in unfaithfulness; 14 but abounded exceedingly the grace of the Lord of ours with faith and love of the in Christ Jesus. 15 Trustworthy the Word and all approval and/or acceptance worthy, that Christ Jesus came into the world sinners to save (aorist, active, infinitive), of whom the foremost am I. 16 But for this I was shown mercy, so that in me foremost could demonstrate Christ Jesus the entire steadfastness to an example of the certainty to believe in Him toward life everlasting. 17 But the sovereign of the ages, immortal invisible only God, (be) honor and glory into the ages of the ages, amen.

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