1 Timothy 1:17

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This grand doxology is not addressed to "the Father," but to God in his compound unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It has been called "a grand testimony to the monotheism of St. Paul ... to this Eternal, Incorruptible One be glory and honor unto the ages of the ages."[37]

For ever and ever ... This is "the ages of the ages" in the Greek; but all superstitions to the effect that Gnosticism of the second century is implied in these words are unfounded. As White said, "Bengel's suggestion that there is a polemical reference to the aeons of Gnosticism is fanciful and unnecessary."[38]

This marvelous doxology was Paul's response to the glorious fact of his joyous salvation in Christ to which he had just referred.

[37] H. D. M. Spence, op. cit., p. 183.

[38] Newport J. D. White, op. cit, p. 100.