I Timothy 6:16
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He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Who only hath immortality--in His own essence, not merely at the will of another, as all other immortal beings [JUSTIN MARTYR, QuÃ&brvbrst. ad Orthod., 61]. As He hath immortality, so will He give it to us who believe; to be out of Him is death. It is mere heathen philosophy that attributes to the soul indestructibility in itself, which is to be attributed solely to God's gift. As He hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself (Joh 5:26). The term used in the New Testament for "immortal," which does not occur, is "incorruptible." "Immortality" is found in Co1 15:53-54. dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto--After life comes mention of light, as in Joh 1:4. That light is unapproachable to creatures, except in so far as they are admitted by Him, and as He goes forth to them [BENGEL]. It is unapproachable on account of its exceeding brightness [THEOPHYLACT]. If one cannot gaze steadfastly at the sun, which is but a small part of creation, by reason of its exceeding heat and power, how much less can mortal man gaze at the inexpressible glory of God [THEOPHYLACT, To Autolycus] (Psa 104:2; Jo1 1:5). no man hath seen-- (Exo 23:20; Joh 1:18; Col 1:15; Heb 11:27; Jo1 4:12). Perhaps even in the perfect state no creature shall fully see God. Still the saints shall, in some sense, have the blessedness of seeing Him, which is denied to mere man (Mat 5:8; Co1 13:12; Jo1 3:2; Rev 22:4).
Open source ↗I. He treats of the duty of servants (Ti1 6:1, Ti1 6:2). II. Of false teachers (Ti1 6:3-5). III. Of godliness and covetousness (Ti1 6:6-10). IV. What Timothy was to flee, and what to follow (Ti1 6:11, Ti1 6:12). V. A solemn charge (Ti1 6:13-16). VI. A charge for the rich (Ti1 6:17-19). And lastly, a charge to Timothy (Ti1 6:20, Ti1 6:21).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father.
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,