1 Timothy 1:13 - Exposition

Though I was for who was , A.V. and T.R.; howbeit for but , A.V. A blasphemer ( βλάσημον ); applied, as here, to persons, only in 2 Timothy 3:2 ; applied to words, Acts 6:11 , Acts 6:13 (T.R.). The verb βλασφημεῖν , and the substantive βλασφημία , are very common, both in the sense of "blaspheming" and of "railing" or "reviling." St. Paul was a blasphemer because he spoke against the Name of Jesus, which he had since discovered was a Name above all names. A persecutor ( διώκτης ); only here; but the verb διωκεῖν is applied to St. Paul repeatedly ( Acts 9:4 , Acts 9:5 ; Acts 22:4 ; Acts 26:11 , etc.), and the διώκτης here refers possibly to that very narrative. Injurious ( ὑβριστής ); only here and Romans 1:30 , where it is rendered "insolent," R.V. The verb ὑβρίζειν , both in the New Testament and in classical Greek, means to "treat or use others despitefully," "to outrage and insult" them, not without personal violence ( Matthew 22:6 ; Luke 18:32 ; Acts 14:5 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:2 ). The ὑβριστής is one who so treats others. St. Paul was thinking of his own conduct toward the Christians, whom he not only reviled, but handled roughly and east into prison ( Acts 8:3 ; Acts 9:1 ; Acts 22:19 ). There is no English word which exactly renders ὑβριστής .