In 1 Timothy 1:17, the Apostle Paul exclaims: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” This doxology raises an intriguing question: To whom is Paul referring as the “King eternal”? Is it God the Father, or could it be Christ the Son? This essay explores this question, emphasizing the dispensational aspects of the argument and examining the relationship between Christ and the Church as outlined by theologian Lewis Sperry Chafer.
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Context of 1 Timothy 1:17
Paul’s first letter to Timothy is a pastoral epistle, providing guidance on church leadership, sound doctrine, and personal conduct. In the opening chapter, Paul reflects on his transformation from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle of Christ, attributing this change to God’s immense mercy and grace:
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 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.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
This reflection culminates in the doxology of verse 17, where Paul offers praise to the “King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God.”
Dispensational Perspective on Christ’s Relationship with the Church
Dispensational theology emphasizes distinct periods or “dispensations” in God’s redemptive plan, each characterized by specific divine-human relationships. In the current dispensation—the Church Age—Christ’s relationship with the Church is depicted through various metaphors that highlight intimacy, unity, and mutual dependence.
Lewis Sperry Chafer, a prominent dispensational theologian, identifies several key relationships between Christ and the Church in his work “Major Bible Themes”:
- Shepherd and Sheep: Christ is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, guiding and protecting them. Believers are His flock, dependent on His care. (John 10:14-15)
- Vine and Branches: Christ is the true Vine, and believers are the branches. This relationship signifies the vital connection and the flow of spiritual life from Christ to His followers. (John 15:5)
- High Priest and Kingdom of Priests: Christ serves as the High Priest, interceding on behalf of believers, who are considered a royal priesthood. This underscores the mediatory role of Christ and the privileged access believers have to God. (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9)
- Head and Body: Christ is the Head of the Church, which is described as His Body. This metaphor emphasizes the organic unity and the functional diversity within the Church, all under the leadership of Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18)
- Bridegroom and Bride: Christ is the Bridegroom, and the Church is His Bride. This relationship highlights the deep love, commitment, and future union between Christ and the Church. (Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-9)
- Cornerstone and Building: Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, and believers are living stones being built into a spiritual house. This signifies the foundational role of Christ and the collective identity of believers as God’s temple. (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5)
- Last Adam and New Creation: Christ is referred to as the Last Adam, bringing life and initiating a new creation. Believers, as part of this new creation, share in the resurrected life of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Notably, the metaphor of “King” in relation to the Church is absent in Chafer’s enumeration and in the New Testament descriptions of Christ’s relationship with the Church during this dispensation.
Christ as King in Other Dispensations
While Christ is not depicted as King over the Church in the present age, Scripture affirms His kingship in other contexts:
- King of Israel: Jesus is acknowledged as the King of the Jews, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah’s reign over Israel. (Matthew 27:11; John 1:49)
- Millennial King: In dispensational eschatology, Christ will reign as King during the Millennial Kingdom, exercising sovereign rule over the earth. (Revelation 20:4-6)
- King of Kings and Lord of Lords: In the culmination of history, Christ is portrayed as the supreme ruler over all, defeating His enemies and establishing His eternal dominion. (Revelation 19:16)
These roles pertain to future dispensations and specific groups, such as Israel and the nations, rather than the Church in the current age.
Analysis of 1 Timothy 1:17
Given the dispensational distinctions and the context of Paul’s doxology, it is plausible that the “King eternal” refers to God the Father rather than Christ the Son. Several factors support this interpretation:
1. Contextual Flow: Paul’s reflection on his conversion and the mercy he received leads him to praise God. While Christ’s role in redemption is central, the ultimate source of the redemptive plan is the Father, to whom Paul directs his gratitude.
2. Attributes Described
The descriptors in 1 Timothy 1:17—eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God—align most closely with attributes typically ascribed to God the Father:
- Eternal: The Father’s eternal nature is a consistent theme in Scripture (Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 40:28). While Christ shares in the eternal nature of the Godhead, His incarnation introduces a visible and tangible aspect to His person.
- Immortal: God the Father, being spirit, is inherently immortal. Christ, in His incarnation, experienced physical death, though He conquered it through His resurrection (Romans 6:9).
- Invisible: The invisibility of God is a defining characteristic of the Father (John 1:18). While Christ made the Father known (John 14:9), He Himself was visible during His earthly ministry.
- The Only God: This phrase reflects the monotheistic declaration that God the Father is sovereign over all creation (Deuteronomy 6:4).
3. Old Testament Context
Paul’s description of the “King eternal” echoes Old Testament imagery associated with God the Father:
- “The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment” (Psalm 9:7).
- “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom” (Psalm 45:6).
These passages emphasize the Father’s sovereign and eternal rule, consistent with Paul’s doxology.
4. Dispensational Clarity
Dispensational theology helps clarify roles within the Trinity. While Christ’s kingship is affirmed in eschatological contexts, the present Church Age emphasizes His role as the Head of the Church. The Father, as the source of the divine plan, is most fittingly addressed as the “King eternal.”
This distinction reflects Paul’s broader theology, where Christ’s redemptive work glorifies the Father. For example:
- “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:24–25).
Here, Paul envisions a future time when Christ’s mediatorial kingdom is subsumed under the eternal reign of God the Father.
Conclusion: Likely Reference to God the Father
Based on the contextual flow of 1 Timothy 1:17, the attributes described, and the dispensational understanding of Christ’s roles, it is most likely that Paul’s doxology refers to God the Father as the “King eternal.”
This interpretation does not diminish Christ’s deity or His kingship in other contexts but rather emphasizes the distinct roles within the Trinity. The Father, as the source of all plans and purposes, is rightly glorified as the sovereign King over all ages.
Application for Believers Today
The doxology in 1 Timothy 1:17 is a powerful reminder of the majesty and sovereignty of God. It calls believers to join Paul in exalting the eternal King who orchestrates redemption through Christ and sustains His creation with faithfulness.
In the Church Age, believers are invited into an intimate relationship with Christ, marked by love, unity, and mutual dependence. Yet, we also join the chorus of praise to God the Father, whose eternal dominion provides hope and assurance.
This understanding inspires both worship and obedience. As Paul burst into praise upon reflecting on God’s mercy, so should we respond to the grace we have received.
A Timeless Benediction
Let us close with Paul’s fitting benediction from 1 Timothy 1:17:
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
This doxology invites us to lift our eyes to the eternal King, glorifying Him for His sovereign plan, His mercy, and His faithfulness through all generations.
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New International Version (NIV)
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