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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
Who
G3588
ὁ
Who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχων
hath
G2192
ἔχων
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
3 of 20
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
φῶς
in the light
G5457
φῶς
in the light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
5 of 20
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
οἰκῶν
dwelling
G3611
οἰκῶν
dwelling
Strong's:
G3611
Word #:
6 of 20
to occupy a house, i.e., reside (figuratively, inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication, to cohabit
ᾧ
to whom
G3739
ᾧ
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἰδεῖν
hath seen
G1492
ἰδεῖν
hath seen
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
9 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
οὐδεὶς
no man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
10 of 20
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἰδεῖν
hath seen
G1492
ἰδεῖν
hath seen
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
13 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ᾧ
to whom
G3739
ᾧ
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
15 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τιμὴ
be honour
G5092
τιμὴ
be honour
Strong's:
G5092
Word #:
16 of 20
a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
1 Timothy 1:17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.John 1:18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.1 John 1:5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.Psalms 90:2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.Colossians 1:15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:John 6:46Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.Exodus 3:14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.Revelation 1:6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.Revelation 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.Revelation 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Historical Context
In a world where emperors claimed divinity and demanded worship, Paul's doxology asserts the true God's absolute uniqueness. Only He is immortal; only He dwells in inaccessible light; only He is invisible and eternal. Every knee will bow—not to Caesar but to the King of kings. This theology sustained Christians facing imperial persecution—their God reigns supreme, despite earthly powers' pretensions.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's 'unapproachable light' teach about His holiness and transcendence?
- How does God's invisibility relate to His revelation in Christ, who is 'the image of the invisible God'?
- Why does Paul end with doxology—how does worship of God's glory motivate faithful living?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Who only hath immortality (ὁ μόνος ἔχων ἀθανασίαν, ho monos echōn athanasian)—'who alone possesses immortality.' Athanasia means immortality, deathlessness—from a (not) and thanatos (death). God alone is inherently immortal; creatures possess life derivatively, as His gift. Dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto (φῶς οἰκῶν ἀπρόσιτον, phōs oikōn aprositon)—'dwelling in unapproachable light.' Aprositos means unapproachable, inaccessible.
Whom no man hath seen, nor can see (ὃν εἶδεν οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων οὐδὲ ἰδεῖν δύναται, hon eiden oudeis anthrōpōn oude idein dynatai)—'whom no one has seen or can see.' God is invisible, transcendent, beyond human perception. To whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen (ᾧ τιμὴ καὶ κράτος αἰώνιον· ἀμήν, hō timē kai kratos aiōnion· amēn)—'to whom be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.' Timē is honor. Kratos is power, might, dominion.
Paul's doxology celebrates God's transcendence: He alone is immortal, dwells in inaccessible light, is invisible, possesses eternal honor and power. This vision of God's glory motivates faithful stewardship—we serve not for human applause but for the approval of the only Potentate, King of kings, Lord of lords.