Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
A suitable conclusion to the beautifully-simple Gospel enunciation, of which his own history is a living pattern. It is from experimental sense of grace that the doxology flows (Bengel).
The King eternal - literally, 'King of the (eternal) ages.' [Septuagint, ton (G3588) aioona (G165), kai (G2532) ep' (G1909) aioonoon (G165), kai (G2532) eti (G2089) (Exodus 15:18, 'The Lord shall reign for ages and beyond them') (Psalms 145:13, margin.)] The "life everlasting" (1 Timothy 1:16) suggested 'the King everlasting.' It answers to "forever and ever" - literally, 'to the ages of the ages' (the countless succession of ages made up of ages).
Immortal. So Delta f, Vulgate. But A G g read 'incorruptible' [apthartoo for athanatoo] (Romans 1:23).
Invisible (1 Timothy 6:16; Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 11:27).
The only wise God. So C. But 'Aleph (') A Delta G f g, Vulgate, omit "wise," which probably crept in from Romans 16:27 (Jude 1:25; 1 Timothy 6:15; Psalms 86:10; Greek, John 5:44).
Honour and glory in doxology only here and Revelation 5:13 Honour and glory - in doxology, only here and Revelation 5:13.
Forever ... The thought of eternity (terrible to unbelievers) is delightful to those assured of grace (1 Timothy 1:16) (Bengel).