1 Timothy 6:16
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Study Note
Study Note
The doxological description of God — 'who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to whom be honor and eternal dominion' — applies a series of superlative attributes that ground the parenetic command to keep the commandment unstained until the appearing of Christ (verse 14). The phrase 'alone has immortality' (monos echon athanasian) sharply distinguishes Creator from creature: human immortality is always derived and conditional, whereas God's is inherent and absolute. 'Unapproachable light' (phos aprositon) draws on the theophany tradition where divine presence is simultaneously luminous and overwhelming, beyond direct human experience (compare Exodus 33:20; 1 Kings 8:12). The verse functions as a liturgical anchor: the immensity of the God whose charge Timothy bears provides both the warrant and the motivation for faithful stewardship of the gospel deposit.
Other Translations
who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
who only is having immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see, to whom <FI>is<Fi> honour and might age-during! Amen.
Who only has life for ever, living in light to which no man may come near; whom no man has seen or is able to see: to whom be honour and power for ever. So be it.
Cross References
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children …
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to …
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high …
And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding …
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, …
Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.