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The Greek text of 1 Timothy 1:11, κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς δόξης τοῦ μακαρίου θεοῦ, ὃ ἐπιστεύθην ἐγώ, provides a rich field for examining the syntax and semantic depth that underpins Paul’s message in this epistle. This verse forms a crucial part of Paul’s introduction, setting the tone for his authoritative instruction to Timothy regarding the conduct and doctrine appropriate for the church. The translation into English, “in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted” (UASV), captures the essence and complexity of the original Greek, yet a deeper dive into the grammatical structure and lexical choices reveals the theological and ecclesiastical implications of Paul’s words.

Firstly, the prepositional phrase κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον (in accordance with the gospel) establishes the standard or criterion for Timothy’s ministry and for the church’s teaching and practice. The preposition κατὰ with the accusative case denotes a guideline or rule, emphasizing the gospel’s authoritative role in defining and directing Christian life and doctrine.

The term εὐαγγέλιον (gospel), a noun in the accusative singular neuter, is central to Paul’s theology. It denotes the good news of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, which is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. The gospel is not merely good advice but the proclamation of God’s accomplished work in Christ, which has implications for faith, conduct, and hope.

The genitive phrase τῆς δόξης τοῦ μακαρίου θεοῦ (of the glorious blessed God) further qualifies the gospel, describing its nature and origin. The use of the genitive case signifies possession, indicating that the gospel belongs to God and reflects His character. The adjective δόξης (glorious) describes the gospel’s divine quality and the majesty of God, who is the source of this message. The adjective μακαρίου (blessed) applied to God conveys the idea of divine blessedness and felicity, indicating that the God of the gospel is the source of all blessing and is Himself supremely blessed and happy.

The relative clause ὃ ἐπιστεύθην ἐγώ (with which I have been entrusted) introduces Paul’s personal commission. The verb ἐπιστεύθην (I have been entrusted) in the first person singular perfect passive indicative, highlights the trust that God placed in Paul as an apostle. This phrase not only underscores Paul’s apostolic authority but also his stewardship of the gospel, which he was charged to proclaim and defend.

This careful examination of the Greek grammar and syntax in 1 Timothy 1:11 reveals the depth and precision of Paul’s message. The Updated American Standard Version accurately captures the theological richness and apostolic authority conveyed in the original Greek, emphasizing the gospel’s centrality to Christian doctrine and life, the divine origin and character of this gospel, and Paul’s unique role in its proclamation. This verse, therefore, stands as a testament to the enduring power and relevance of the gospel entrusted to the church as the standard of faith and practice.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Defending Literal Translation—A Case Study of 1 Timothy 1:11

In response to Bill Mounce’s commentary on 1 Timothy 1:11 [Hebraic Genitives (1 Tim 1:11)], it’s crucial to affirm the importance of a literal translation philosophy in preserving the integrity and clarity of the biblical text. Mounce’s approach, which leans towards an interpretive philosophy, may indeed offer valuable insights into the text’s possible meanings. However, this method risks imposing an interpretation that may not align with the author’s original intent, potentially leading readers away from a direct encounter with the Word of God.

Literal translation seeks to convey the text as closely as possible to the original languages of Scripture—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—within the constraints of the target language’s grammar and syntax. This philosophy respects the verbal inspiration of Scripture, acknowledging that every word is divinely chosen and, therefore, carries inherent significance.

In the case of 1 Timothy 1:11, Mounce discusses the genitive case’s flexibility and suggests that interpretive decisions must sometimes be made based on context and theology. While context and theology are indeed vital in understanding Scripture, the primary goal of translation should be to faithfully render the original text, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the reader’s interpretation within the community of faith.

The phrase in question, “the gospel of the glory of the blessed God,” when translated literally, retains the multi-layered richness of Paul’s words. This rendering preserves the genitive construction without over-interpreting the text. While Mounce advocates for what he calls a “Hebraic genitive,” suggesting that “glory” should be understood adjectivally as “glorious,” this approach might overlook the depth of the phrase. The literal translation allows for a broader range of theological reflection on the nature of the gospel and its relationship to God’s glory, fostering a deeper engagement with the text.

Furthermore, Mounce’s reliance on interpretive decisions grounded in theology, though well-intentioned, underscores the subjective nature of any translation that moves away from a literal approach. By contrast, a literal translation philosophy strives to minimize subjectivity, providing a more stable foundation for theological reflection and interpretation.

In essence, the literal translation philosophy serves a dual purpose: it honors the text’s original form and meaning, and it respects the reader’s role in engaging with the Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This approach does not dismiss the value of theological insight or the necessity of understanding the historical and cultural context of the biblical texts. Instead, it insists that such insights and understandings be sought through study and reflection on the text as translated rather than pre-emptively embedded within the translation itself.

In conclusion, while interpretive translations like Mounce’s can offer helpful perspectives, they should not replace a literal approach that maintains fidelity to the original languages of Scripture. The literal translation of 1 Timothy 1:11, by preserving the specific choices of words and grammatical structures used by Paul, invites readers into a deeper exploration of the gospel’s profound mystery and the incomparable glory of the blessed God. This approach upholds the principle that Scripture itself, in its most direct and unadulterated form, is the primary means through which God speaks to His people, guiding, teaching, and transforming us by His Spirit.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).