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. Frequent doxologies occur in the pastoral letters; the apostle now, in advancing years, realizing more and more God's presence, and instinctively gliding often into language of adoration. WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY - in His essence: not derived, or at the will of another, as all other immortal beings (Justin Martyr, 'Quest. 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 pagan philosophy that attributes to the soul indestructibility in itself: this is solely of God's gift. As He hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself (). [Athanatos] Immortal does not occur in the New Testament, but [aphthar...

16_Who alone hath immortality _Paul labors to demonstrate that there is no happiness, no dignity or excellence, no life, out of God. Accordingly, he now says that God alone is immortal, in order to inform us, that we and all the creatures do not, strictly speaking, live, but only borrow life from Him. Hence it follows that, when we look up to God as the fountain of immortal life, we should reckon this present life as of no value. But it is objected, that the human soul and angels have their immortality, and therefore this cannot be truly affirmed of God alone. I reply, when it is said, that God alone possesses immortality, it is not here denied that he bestows it, as he pleases, on any of his creatures. The meaning is the same as if Paul had said that God alone is immortal from himself and from his own nature, but has immortality in his power; so that it does not belong to creatures, exc...

11-16 It ill becomes any men, but especially men of God, to set their hearts upon the things of this world; men of God should be taken up with the things of God. There must be a conflict with corruption, and temptations, and the powers of darkness. Eternal life is the crown proposed for our encouragement. We are called to lay hold thereon. To the rich must especially be pointed out their dangers and duties, as to the proper use of wealth. But who can give such a charge, that is not himself above the love of things that wealth can buy? The appearing of Christ is certain, but it is not for us to know the time. Mortal eyes cannot bear the brightness of the Divine glory. None can approach him except as he is made known unto sinners in and by Christ. The Godhead is here adored without distinction of Persons, as all these things are properly spoken, whether of the Father, the Son, or the Holy...

Verse 16. _WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY_] All beings that are not _eternal_ must be _mutable_; but there can be only _one eternal_ Being, that is God; and he only can have _immortality_. _DWELLING IN THE LIGHT WHICH NO MAN CAN APPROACH UNTO_] All this is said by the apostle in three words φως οικων απροσιτον, _inhabiting unapproachable light_. Such is the excessive glory of God, that neither angel nor man can approach it. It is indeed equally unapproachable to all created beings. _WHOM NO MAN HATH SEEN, NOR CAN SEE_] Moses himself could only see the symbol of the Divine presence; but the _face of God_ no man could ever see. Because he is infinite and eternal, therefore he is _incomprehensible_; and if incomprehensible to the _mind_, consequently invisible to the eye. _TO WHOM_] As the author of being, and the dispenser of all good, be ascrib

WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY - The word here - ἀθανασία athanasia - properly means “exemption from death,” and seems to mean that God, in his own nature, enjoys a perfect and certain exemption from death. Creatures have immortality only as they derive it from him, and of course are dependent on him for it. He has it by his very nature, and it is in his case underived, and he cannot be deprived of it. It is one of the essential attributes of his being, that he will always exist, and that death cannot reach him; compare the expression in John 5:26, “The Father hath life in himself,” and the notes on that passage. DWELLING IN THE LIGHT WHICH NO MAN CAN APPROACH UNTO - Greek, “Inhabiting inapproachable light.” The light where he dwells is so brilliant and dazzling that mortal

EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 6:1 _Are servants _for _servants as are_,_ _A.V.;_ the doctrine _for _his doctrine_,_ _A.V. SERVANTS; literally, _slaves_._ _That slaves formed a considerable portion of the first Christian Churches may be inferred from the frequency with which their duties are pressed upon them (see 1 Corinthians 7:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:11,...

WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY,.... Angels are immortal, and so are the souls of men, and so will be the bodies of men after the resurrection; but then neither of these have immortality of themselves, they have it from God; who only has it, of himself, originally, essentially, and inderivatively. DWELLING IN THAT LIGHT WHICH NO MAN CAN APPROACH UNTO; in this present, frail, and mortal state; yea, angels themselves cannot bear the lustre of it, but cover their faces with their wings; for God is light itself, as well as clothes himself with light, as with a garment; and is the Father and fountain of lights to all his creatures. WHOM NO MAN HATH SEEN, NOR CAN SEE: nowhere but in Christ, at least spiritually and savingly; and that but very imperfectly in the present state: the sin, frailty, and mortality of human nature must be taken away, in order to inherit the kingdom of God, and enjoy the b...

WHOM NO MAN (_ See Scofield) - (John 1:18). _...

CHAPTER 6 _ 1. Concerning servants (1 Timothy 6:1)_ 2. Concerning those who oppose (1 Timothy 6:3) 3. Concerning contentment and temptation (1 Timothy 6:6) 4. The final exhortations (1 Timothy 6:11) 1 Timothy 6:1 Servants (slaves) who had pagan masters were to count them worthy of all honor, and thus bear a good testimony for the truth, that the Name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed. Theirs was a blessed opportunity to show forth the excellencies of Him whom they served, and who once served

(_b_) 1 TIMOTHY 6:11. TIMOTHY'S CALL TO FIDELITY. In contrast with this quest for worldly profit (1 Timothy 6:5; 1 Timothy 6:9 f.) Timothy must pursue the Christian virtues. Let him, in life's arena (for the metaphor _cf._ 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Corinthians 9:24, Php_3:12), continuously wage faith's fair contest, and so obtain the victor's garland, eternal life (James 1:12;...