1 Timothy 6:16

1 Timothy 6:16 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.

Bible in Basic English BBE

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.

Free Bible Version FBV

He is the only one who is immortal, and lives in unapproachable light. No one has seen him or can see him—honor and eternal power is his! Amen.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Who onely hath immortalitie, and dwelleth in the light that none can attaine vnto, whom neuer man sawe, neither can see, vnto whome bee honour and power euerlasting, Amen.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

who only is having immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see, to whom [is] honour and might age-during! Amen.

World English Bible WEB

He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen nor can see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Who only hath immortality, and inhabiteth light inaccessible, whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.

Translation for Translators T4T

He is the only one who will never die, and he lives in heaven surrounded by light that is so bright that no one can approach it! He is the one whom no person has ever seen and whom no person is able to see! My desire is that all people will honor him and that he will rule powerfully [MTY] forever! ◄May it be so!/Amen!►

Plain English Version PEV

He is the only one that never dies, but he goes on and on for ever. He lives in light that is so bright that nobody can go near him. Nobody ever saw him, and nobody can see him now. We have to really respect him all the time, and we have to remember that he is really powerful. Yes, that’s right.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Timothy 6:16

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Timothy 6:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ο μονος εχων αθανασιαν φως οικων απροσιτον ον ειδεν ουδεις ανθρωπων ουδε ιδειν δυναται ω τιμη και κρατος αιωνιον αμην

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

μονος monos G3441 alone Adj-NSM

εχων echō G2192 to have/be Verb-PAP-NSM

αθανασιαν athanasia G110 immortality Noun-ASF

φως phōs G5457 light Noun-ASN

οικων oikeō G3611 to dwell Verb-PAP-NSM

απροσιτον aprositos G676 unapproachable Adj-ASN

ον hos, hē G3739 which Rel-ASM

ειδεν horaō G3708 to see: see Verb-2AAI-3S

ουδεις oudeis G3762 none Adj-NSM-N

ανθρωπων anthrōpos G444 a human Noun-GPM

ουδε oude G3761 nor Conj-N

ιδειν horaō G3708 to see: see Verb-2AAN

δυναται dunamai G1410 be able Verb-PNI-3S

ω hos, hē G3739 which Rel-DSM

τιμη timē G5092 honor Noun-NSF

και kai G2532 and Conj

κρατος kratos G2904 power Noun-NSN

αιωνιον aiōnios G166 eternal Adj-NSN

αμην amēn G281 amen Hebrew

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Timothy 6:16

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μονος monos G3441 "alone" Adj-NSM

The Greek word for alone or solitary, used to describe someone or something that is the only one. In Mark 9:2, Jesus takes only three disciples up a mountain.

Definition: μόνος, -η, -ον, [in LXX chiefly for לְבַד ;] __1. adj., alone, solitary, forsaken: with verb., Mat.14:23, Mrk.6:47, Luk.9:36, al.; with pron., Mat.18:15, Mrk.9:2, al.; with subst., Mrk.9:8, Luk.4:8, al.; pleonast., οὐκ . . . εἰ μὴ μ., Mat.12:4, Luk.6:4, al.; attrib., only, (ὁ) μ. θεός, Jhn.5:44 17:3, Rom.16:27, 1Ti.1:17, Ju 25. __2. As adv., __(a) neut., (μόνον, alone, only: referring to verb or predic., Mat.9:21, Mrk.5:36, Jas.1:22, al. (see Bl., §44, 2); οὐ (μὴ) μ., Gal.4:18, Jas.1:22; οὐ μ. . . . ἀλλά (Bl, §77, 13.3), Act.19:26, 1Jn.5:6, al.; id. before καί (Bl., §81, 1.2), Rom.5:3 9:10, 2Co.8:19, al.; __(b) κατὰ μόνας, alone (Bl., §44, 1), Mrk.4:10, Luk.9:18. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 44 NT verses. KJV: alone, only, by themselves See also: 1 Corinthians 9:6; Luke 4:4; Hebrews 9:7.

εχων echō G2192 "to have/be" Verb-PAP-NSM

This Greek word means to have or hold something, like a possession or ability. It is used in many ways, such as having power or being with someone. The Bible uses it in Revelation 5:8 and 14:6.

Definition: ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. __I. Trans.; __1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; __(a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; __(b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; __(with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; __(d) to hold fast, keep: Luk.19:20; metaphorically, of the mind and conduct, Mrk.16:8 (cf. Job.21:6, Isa.13:8; Deiss., BS, 293; Field, Notes, 44f.), Jhn.14:21, Rom.1:28, 1Ti.3:9, 2Ti.1:13, Rev.6:9, al.; __(e) to involve: Heb.10:35 (LXX), Jas.1:4, 1Jn.4:18; (f) = Lat. habere (Bl., §34, 5; 73, 5), to hold, consider: with accusative and predic. ptcp., Luk.14:18; with accusative, before ὡς, Mat.14:5; εἰς (Hebraism), Mat.21:46; on (Bl., §70, 2), Mrk.11:32. __2. to have, possess; __(a) in general, with accusative of thing(s): Mat.19:22, Mrk.10:22, Luk.12:19, Jhn.10:16, 1Co.11:22, al.; of wealth or poverty, absol., ἔχειν (neg. οὐκ, μή), Mat.13:12 25:29, 2Co.8:12; ἐκ τ. ἔχειν, according to your means, 2Co.8:11; __(b) of relationship, association, and: πατέρα, Jhn.8:41; γυναῖκα (MM, xiv), 1Co.7:2; φίλον, Luk.11:5; βασιλέα, Jhn.19:15; ποιμένα, Mat.9:36; with dupl. accusative, Mat.3:9, al.; __(with) of parts or members: ὦτα, Mat.19:15; μέλη, Rom.12:4; θεμελίους, __(d) with accusative, as periphrasis of verb: μνεῖαν ἔ. (= μεμνῆσθαι), 1Th.3:6; ἀγάπην, Jhn.13:35; γνῶσιν, 1Co.8:1; πεποίθησιν, 2Co.3:4; θλίψιν, Jhn.16:33, etc. (Thayer, see word, I, 2, f., g.); __(e) of duty, necessity, etc.: ἀνάγκην, 1Co.7:37; νόμον, Jhn.19:7; ἐπιταγήν, 1Co.7:25; ἀγῶνα, Php.1:30; κρίμα, 1Ti.5:12; __(f) of complaints and disputes; κατά, with genitive of person(s), Mat.5:23, Mrk.11:25; id. before ὅτι, Rev.2:4, 20; with accusative before πρός, Act.24:19, al.; __(g) with inf., __(α) (cl.) to be able (Field, Notes, 14): Mat.18:25, Mrk.14:8 (sc. ποιῆσαι), Luk.12:4, Act.4:14, al; __(β) of necessity (BL, §69, 4): Luk.12:50, Act.23:17-19 28:19. __II. Intrans. (BL, §53, 1), to be in a certain condition: ἑτοίμως ἔ., with inf., Act.21:13, 2Co.12:14; ἐσχάτως (which see), Mrk.5:23; κακῶς, to be ill, Mat.4:24, al.; καλῶς, Mk 16:[18]; κομψότερον, Jhn.4:52; πῶς, Act.15:36; impers., ἄλλως εἴχει, it is otherwise, 1Ti.5:25; οὕτως, Act.7:1, al.; τὸ νῦν ἔχον, as things now are (Tob.7:11), Act.24:25. __III. Mid., -ομαι, to hold oneself fast, hold on or cling to, be next to: with genitive, τ. ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας, Heb.6:9 (Rendall, in l.); ptcp., ὁ ἐχόμενος, near, next: of place, Mrk.1:38; of time, τ. ἐχομένη (ἡμέρα, expressed or understood), Luk.13:33, Act.20:15 21:26; (σαββάτῳ), Act.13:44. (Cf. ἀν-, προσ-αν-, ἀντ-, ἀπ-, ἐν-, ἐπ-, κατ-, μετ-, παρ-, περι-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, ὑπερ-, ὑπ-έχω.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 628 NT verses. KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use See also: 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 2:12.

αθανασιαν athanasia G110 "immortality" Noun-ASF

Immortality means deathlessness, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:53 and 54. It refers to the state of being unable to die, a concept discussed in the Bible. The idea of immortality is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:16.

Definition: ἀθανασία, -ας, ἡ (ἀ-θάνατος, undying; V. MM, VGT, see word), [in LXX: Wis.3:4 4:1 8:13,17 15:3, 4Ma.14:5 16:13 * ;] immortality: 1Co.15:53,54 1Ti.6:16 (cf. Cremer, 285 f.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: immortality See also: 1 Corinthians 15:53; 1 Corinthians 15:54; 1 Timothy 6:16.

φως phōs G5457 "light" Noun-ASN

Light refers to any kind of luminousness, natural or artificial, and is used in the Bible to describe the light of the sun or a lamp. In Matthew 17:2 and John 11:9-10, it describes Jesus shining like the sun.

Definition: φῶς (Att.. contr. from φάος; φάω), genitive, φωτός, τό, [in LXX chiefly for אוֹר ;] light (opposite to τὸ σκότος, ἡ σκοτία): Mat.17:2, 5, Jhn.11:9-10, 2Co.4:6; ἡλίου, Rev.22:5; of a lamp, Luk.8:16 11:33, Jhn.5:35, Rev.18:23; of a supernatural heavenly light, Act.9:3 12:7 22:6, 9 22:11 26:13; hence, ἄγγελος φωτός, 2Co.11:14; ὁ κλήρος τ. ἁγίων ἐν τ. φ., Col.1:12; of the divine glory, Rev.21:24; by meton., of that which gives light: of fire, Mrk.14:54, Luk.22:56 (cl.; 1Ma.12:29; cf. DCG, i, 595; pl., of a lamp or torch, Act.16:29; of heavenly bodies, Jas.1:17. Metaphorical, __(a) of God: 1Jn.1:5 Jn 1:7; φῶς οἰκῶν ἀπρόσιτον, 1Ti.6:16; __(b) of spiritual truth and its effects on the lives of men: Mat.4:16 5:16, Jhn.1:4-5 3:19-21, Act.26:18, 23, 2Co.6:14, Eph.5:13, 1Pe.2:9, 1Jn.2:8; τ. φ. τ. ζωῆς, Jhn.8:12; τ. ὅπλα τοῦ φ., Rom.13:12; καρπὸς τοῦ φ., Eph.5:9; έν τ. φ. περιπατεῖν (εἶναι, μένειν), 1Jn.1:7 Jn 2:9-10; υἱοὶ (τέκνα) τοῦ φ., Luk.16:8, Jhn.12:36, Eph.5:8, 1Th.5:5; by meton., of one from whom truth shines forth: Act.13:47 (LXX), Rom.2:19; esp. of Christ, Luk.2:32, Jhn.1:7-8 12:35-36, 46; τ. φ. τ. κόσμου, Jhn.8:12 9:5;τ. φ. τ. ἀληθινόν, Jhn.1:9; of Christians, Mat.5:14, Eph.5:8; __(with) of the spiritual understanding: τ. φ. τὸ ἐν σοί, Mat.6:23, Luk.11:35; __(d) adverbially, of that which is open to view (opposite to ἐν τ. σκοτίᾳ): ἐν τ. φ., Mat.10:27, Luk.12:3.† SYN.: see: φέγγος (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 59 NT verses. KJV: fire, light See also: 1 John 1:5; John 1:9; 1 Peter 2:9.

οικων oikeō G3611 "to dwell" Verb-PAP-NSM

To dwell means to live or reside in a place, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:16 and Romans 7:18. This term can also mean to cohabit or inhabit a place.

Definition: οἰκέω, -ῶ (οἶκος), [in LXX chiefly for יָשַׁב ;] __(a) trans., to inhabit: with accusative, 1Ti.6:16; __(b) intrans., to dwell: before μετά (of married life), 1Co.7:12-13; metaphorically, before ἐν: ἀγαθόν, Rom.7:18; ἁμαρτία, Rom.7:20; πνεῦμα θεοῦ, Rom.8:9, 11, 1Co.3:16 (cf. ἐν-, κατ-, ἐν-κατ-, παρ-, περι-, συν-οικέω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: dwell See also: 1 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 7:17; Romans 7:18.

απροσιτον aprositos G676 "unapproachable" Adj-ASN

Unapproachable or inaccessible, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:16. This word means something that cannot be approached or accessed. It is used to describe God's light as unapproachable.

Definition: ἀ-πρόσ-ιτος, -ον (πρόσειμι, to go to), unapproachable: φῶς, 1Ti.6:16.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: which no man can approach See also: 1 Timothy 6:16.

ον hos, hē G3739 "which" Rel-ASM

The word which is a pronoun used to ask for or identify something, as seen in John 5:11. It can also be used to describe a person or thing, such as in Mark 15:23. This word helps to clarify or specify what is being talked about.

Definition: ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). __I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. __II. As relat. pron., who, which, what, that; __1. agreeing in gender with its antecedent, but differently governed as to case: Mat.2:9, Luk.9:9, Act.20:18, Rom.2:29, al. mult. __2. In variation from the common construction; __(a) in gender, agreeing with a noun in apposition to the antecedent: Mrk.15:16, Gal.3:16, Eph.6:17, al.; constr. ad sensum: Jhn.6:9, Col.2:19, 1Ti.3:16, Rev.13:14, al.; __(b) in number, constr. ad sensum: Act.15:36, 2Pe.3:1; __(with) in case, by attraction to the case of the antecedent (Bl., §50, 2): Jhn.4:18, Act.3:21, Rom.15:18, 1Co.6:19, Eph.1:8, al. __3. The neut. ὅ with nouns of other gender and with phrases, which thing, which term: Mrk.3:17 12:42, Jhn.1:39, Col.3:14, al.; with a sentence, Act.2:32, Gal.2:10, 1Jn.2:8, al. __4. With ellipse of a demonstrative (οὗτος or ἐκεῖνος), before or after: before, Mat.20:23, Luk.7:43, Rom.10:14, al.; after, Mat.10:38, Mrk.9:40, Jhn.19:22, Rom.2:1 al. __5. Expressing purpose, end or cause: Mat.11:10 (who = that he may), Mrk.1:2, Heb.12:6 al. __6. C. prep, as periphrasis for conjc.: ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ( = ἀντὶ τούτων ὧν), because, Luk.1:20, al.; wherefore, Luk.12:3; ἐξ οὗ, since, for that, Rom.5:12; ἀφ᾽ οὗ, since (temporal), Luk.13:25; ἐξ οὗ, whence, Php.3:20; etc. __7. With particles: ὃς ἄν (ἐάν), see: ἄν, ἐάν; ὃς καί, Mrk.3:19, Jhn.21:20, Rom.5:2, al.; ὃς καὶ αὐτός, Mat.27:57. __8. Gen., οὗ, absol., as adv. (see: οὗ). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1230 NT verses. KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 5:9; 1 Peter 1:6.

ειδεν horaō G3708 "to see: see" Verb-2AAI-3S

This word means 'to see' or 'to perceive', and can also mean 'to attend to' or 'to experience', like in Mark 6:38 and John 1:46. It's a key word for understanding and perceiving things.

Definition: ὁράω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for ראה, also for חזה, etc. ;] in "durative" sense (hence aor. act., εἶδον, pass., ὤφθην, fut., ὄψομαι, from different roots; see M, Pr., 110f.), to see (in colloq. even the present is rare, its place being generally taken by θεωρέω, see BL, §24). __1. Of bodily vision, to see, perceive, behold: absol., Mrk.6:38, al.; ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε, Jhn.1:46, al.; before ὅτι, Mrk.2:16, al.; with accusative, Mat.2:2, Mrk.1:10 16:7, Gal.1:19, al.; θεόν, Jhn.1:18, 1Jn.4:20, al. __2. to see with the mind, perceive, discern: absol, Rom.15:21; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.9:2 27:54, Act.8:23, Col.2:18, al. __3. to see, take heed, beware: ὅρα μή, with aor. subjc., Mat.8:4 18:10, Mrk.1:44, 1Th.5:15; id., sc. μὴ ποήσῃς, Rev.19:10 22:9 (Bl., §81, 1); before imperat. Mat.9:30 16:6, Mrk.8:15 __4. to experience: τ. θάνατον, Luk.2:26, Heb.11:5; ζωήν, Jhn.3:36; τ. διαφθοράν, Act.2:27. __5. to visit: with accusative of person(s), Luk.8:20, Jhn.12:21, Rom.1:11, al.; with accusative loc, Act.19:21. __6. to see to, care for: Mat.27:4, Act.18:15 (cf. ἀφ-, καθ-, προ-, συν-οράω). SYN.: see: βλέπω. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 605 NT verses. KJV: behold, perceive, see, take heed See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; Acts 16:40; 1 Peter 1:8.

ουδεις oudeis G3762 "none" Adj-NSM-N

This word means 'none' or 'nobody', used in Luke 4:24 and Romans 8:1 to emphasize the absence of something or someone. It's a strong way to say that nothing or no one is present or available.

Definition: οὐδείς, -δεμία, -δέν (also in WH, txt., the Hellenistic forms -θείς, -θέν, Luk.22:35 23:14, Act.15:9 19:27 26:26, 1Co.13:2, 2Co.11:8; cf. BL, §6, 7; M, Pr., 56n, Thackeray, Gr., 58), related to μηδείς as οὐ to μή, no, no one, none: with nouns, Luk.4:24, Jhn.10:41, Rom.8:1, al.; absol., Mat.6:24, Mrk.3:27, Luk.1:61, Jhn.1:18, Act.18:10, Rom.14:7, al. mult.; with genitive partit., Luk.4:26, Jhn.13:28, al.; neut., οὐδέν, Mat.10:26, al.; id. with genitive partit., Luk.9:36, Act.18:17, al.; οὐδὲν εἰ μή, Mat.5:13, Mrk.9:29, al.; with neg., strengthening the negation, Mrk.15:4, 5 Luk.4:2, Jhn.3:27, al.; adverbially, Act.25:10, Gal.4:12, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 223 NT verses. KJV: any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought See also: 1 Corinthians 1:14; John 10:18; Hebrews 2:8.

ανθρωπων anthrōpos G444 "a human" Noun-GPM

This word means a human being, and is used in the Bible to describe people, like in John 16:21 and Romans 7:1.

Definition: ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: __1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ ἔσω (ἔξω) ἄ., Rom.7:22, Eph.3:16, 2Co.4:16 (cf. 1Pe.3:4); ὁ παλαιὸς, καινὸς, νέος ἄ., Rom.6:6, Eph.2:15 4:22, 24 Col.3:9, 10; joined with another subst., ἄ. ἔμπορος, a merchant, Mat.13:45 (WH, txt. om. ἄ.); οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.13:52; βασιλεύς, 18:23; φάγος, 11:19; with name of nation, Κυρηναῖος, Mat.27:32; Ἰουδαῖος, Act.21:39; Ῥωμαῖος, Act.16:37; pl. οἱ ἄ., men, people: Mat.5:13, 16 Mrk.8:24, Jhn.4:28; οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων, Mrk.11:2, 1Ti.6:16. __2. Indef., ἄ. = τις, some one, a man: Mat.17:14, Mrk.12:1, al.; τις ἄ., Mat.18:12, Jhn.5:5, al.; indef. one (Fr. on), Rom.3:28, Gal.2:16, al.; opposite to women, servants, etc., Mat.10:36 19:10, Jhn.7:22, 23. __3. Definitely, with art., of some particular person; Mat.12:13, Mrk.3:5, al.; οὗτος ὁ ἄ., Luk.14:30; ὁ ἄ οὗτος, ἐκεῖνος, Mrk.14:71, Mat.12:45; ὁ ἄ. τ. ἀνομίας, 2Th.2:3; ἄ τ. θεοῦ (of Heb. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:17, 2Pe.1:21; ὁ υἰὸς τοῦ ἀ., see: υἱός. SYN.: ἀνήρ, which see (and cf. MM, VGT, 44; Cremer, 103, 635). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 503 NT verses. KJV: certain, man See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 22:25; 1 Peter 1:24.

ουδε oude G3761 "nor" Conj-N

This word means 'nor' or 'neither', used to connect negative ideas or options, like in Matthew 6:15 and Romans 4:15. It helps to rule out alternatives or emphasize a point.

Definition: οὐδέ, negative particle, related to μηδέ as οὐ to μή. __I. As conjc., and not, also not, neither, nor: Mat.6:15, Luk.16:31, Rom.4:15, al.; οὐ . . . οὐδέ, Mat.5:15 10:24, Mrk.4:22, Luk.6:43, 44, Jhn.6:24, Act.2:27, Rom.2:28, al. (see Bl., §77, 10). __II. As adv., not even: Mat.6:29, Mrk.6:31, Luk.7:9, 1Co.5:1; οὐδὲ εἷς, Act.4:32, Rom.3:10" (LXX) . (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 124 NT verses. KJV: neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as See also: 1 Corinthians 2:6; Luke 6:44; 1 Peter 2:22.

ιδειν horaō G3708 "to see: see" Verb-2AAN

This word means 'to see' or 'to perceive', and can also mean 'to attend to' or 'to experience', like in Mark 6:38 and John 1:46. It's a key word for understanding and perceiving things.

Usage: Occurs in 605 NT verses. KJV: behold, perceive, see, take heed See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; Acts 16:40; 1 Peter 1:8.

δυναται dunamai G1410 "be able" Verb-PNI-3S

To be able or have power, as in Matthew 6:24 and Mark 2:7, meaning to have the capability or strength to do something.

Definition: δύναμαι, depon., [in LXX chiefly for יָכֹל ;] to be able, have power, whether by personal ability, permission, or opportunity: with inf. (M, Pr., 205; WM, §44, 3) pres., Mat.6:24, Mrk.2:7, Jhn.3:2, 1Co.10:21, al.; with inf. aor., Mat.3:9, Mrk.1:45, Jhn.3:3, 4 Rom.8:39, al.; with accusative, to be able to do something: Mrk.9:22, Luk.12:26; 2Co.13:8; absol., to be able, capable, powerful: 1Co.3:2 10:13. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 199 NT verses. KJV: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power See also: 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 15:4; Hebrews 2:18.

ω hos, hē G3739 "which" Rel-DSM

Usage: Occurs in 1230 NT verses. KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 5:9; 1 Peter 1:6.

τιμη timē G5092 "honor" Noun-NSF

Honor refers to the value or esteem given to someone or something. In the Bible, it can mean a price paid or the dignity and respect given to a person, as seen in Romans 12:10 and 1 Timothy 5:17.

Definition: τιμή, -ῆς, ἡ [in LXX for עֵרֶךְ, יְקָר, etc. ;] a valuing, hence, objectively; __1. a price paid or received: with genitive of person(s), Mat.27:9; with genitive of thing(s), Act.5:2-3; pl., Act.4:34 19:19; τ. αἵματος, Mat.27:6; ἠγοράσθητε τιμῆς, 1Co.6:20 7:23; ὠνεῖσθαι τιμῆς ἀργυρίου, Act.7:16. __2. esteem, honour: Rom.12:10 13:7, 1Co.12:23, 1Ti.5:17 6:1, Heb.5:4, 1Pe.2:7 (R, txt., preciousness, cf. Hort, in l), 1Pe.3:7; τ. διδόναι, 1Co.12:24; ἔχειν, Jhn.4:44, Heb.3:3; τ. καὶ δόξα (δ. κ. τ.), Rom.2:7, 10, 1Ti.1:17, Heb.2:7" (LXX), Heb.2:9, 1Pe.1:7, 2Pe.1:17, Rev.4:9, 11 5:12-13 7:12 21:26; τ. καὶ κράτος, 1Ti.6:16; εἰς τ., Rom.9:21, 2Ti.2:20-21; ἐν τ., Col.2:23; 1Th.4:4; by meton., of marks of honour, Act.28:10.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 41 NT verses. KJV: honour, precious, price, some See also: 1 Corinthians 6:20; Acts 28:10; 1 Peter 1:7.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

κρατος kratos G2904 "power" Noun-NSN

This word means power or strength, as in Ephesians 1:19 and Colossians 1:11. It describes great vigor, either physical or figurative, and is often used to describe God's power.

Definition: κράτος, -εος (-ους), τό [in LXX chiefly for עֹז, Job.12:16, Psa.90:11 al. ;] __1. strength, esp. as in Hom., of bodily strength. __2. power, might: Heb.2:14; τὸ κ. τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ, Eph.1:19 6:10 (Isa.40:26, Da TH Dan.4:27); τ. δόςης αὐτοῦ, Col.1:11; κατὰ κράτος, mightily, Act.19:20; a mighty deed, an act of power, Luk.1:51; in doxologies, 1Ti.6:16, 1Pe.4:11 5:11, Ju 25, Rev.1:6 5:13.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: dominion, might(-ily), power, strength See also: 1 Peter 4:11; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Peter 5:11.

αιωνιον aiōnios G166 "eternal" Adj-NSN

This word means something that lasts forever, like God's love. In Romans 16:26 and 2 Timothy 1:9, it talks about eternal things that will never end.

Definition: αἰώνιος, -ον (as usual in Attic), also -α, -ον. 2Th.2:16, Heb.9:12; (αἰών), [in LXX chiefly for עוֹלָם ;] age-long, eternal, __(a) of that which is without either beginning or end: Rom.16:26, Heb.9:14; __(b) of that which is without beginning: Rom.16:25, 2Ti.1:9, Tit.1:2; __(with) of that which is without end (MM, VGT, see word): σκηναί, Luk.16:9 οἰκία, 2Co.5:1; διαθήκη, Heb.13:20; εὐαγγέλιον, Rev.14:6; παράκλησις, 2Th.2:16; λύτρωσις, Heb.9:12; κληρονομία, ib. 15; κόλασις, Mat.25:46; κρίμα, Heb.6:2; κρίσις, Mrk.3:29; ὄλεθρον, 2Th.1:9; πῦρ, Mat.18:8; frequently with ζωή, which see SYN.: ἀΐδιος, which see (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 69 NT verses. KJV: eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began) See also: 1 John 1:2; John 5:39; 1 Peter 5:10.

αμην amēn G281 "amen" Hebrew

Amen means something is trustworthy or firm. It's often used to express agreement or confirmation, like in Revelation 3:14. It's a way of saying 'so be it' or 'it's true'.

Definition: ἀμήν, indecl. (Heb. אָמֵן, verbal adj. fr. אמן, to prop. ni., be firm), [in LXX: 1Ch.16:36, I Est.9:46, Neh.5:13 8:6, Tob.8:8 14:15, 3Ma.7:23, 4Ma.18:24 (elsewhere ''א is rendered ἀληθινός, Isa.65:16; ἀληθῶς, Je 35 (28):6; γένοιτο, Num.5:22, Deu.27:15ff., 3Ki.1:36, Psa.40 (41):13 71 (72):19 105 (106):48, Jer.11:5)*.] __1. As adj. (cf. Is, l.with), ὁ ἀ., Rev.3:14. __2. As adv., __(a) in solemn assent to the statements or prayers of another (Nu, Ne, etc., ll. with): ὁ ἀ., 1Co.14:16; __(b) similarly, at the end of one's own prayer or ascription of praise: Rom.1:25 15:33, Gal.1:5, 1Ti.1:17; __(with) in the Gospels, exclusively, introducing solemn statements of our Lord, truly, verily: Mat.5:18, 26 Mrk.3:28 (see Swete, in l.), Luk.4:24, al.; ἀ. ἀ., always in Jhn.1:52 3:3 5:19, al.; τὸ ναί, καὶ . . . τὸ ἀ., 2Co.1:20 (on usage in π., see MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 126 NT verses. KJV: amen, verily See also: 1 Corinthians 14:16; Mark 10:15; 1 Peter 4:11.

Study Notes — 1 Timothy 6:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Timothy 6:16 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 6:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 6:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16
Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 6:16
Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 6:16
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16
Sermons on 1 Timothy 6:16

Context — Fight the Good Fight

14Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.

16He 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.

17Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. 18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Timothy 1:17	Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
2	John 1:18	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.
3	1 John 1:5	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.
4	Colossians 1:15	The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
5	Psalms 90:2	Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
6	John 6:46	not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father.
7	Psalms 104:2	He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
8	Isaiah 57:15	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.
9	Revelation 22:5	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.
10	Exodus 3:14	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.’”

1 Timothy 6:16 Summary

This verse tells us that God is the only one who is immortal, meaning He has always existed and will always exist, as stated in Psalm 90:2. He lives in a light that is so bright and pure that no human can approach Him, which shows how holy and powerful He is. We are called to honor and worship Him as the supreme ruler of all things, recognizing His eternal dominion and reign. By acknowledging God's immortality and unapproachable nature, we can gain a deeper appreciation for His majesty and power, and cultivate a more reverent and awe-inspired faith, as encouraged in Hebrews 12:28-29.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that God dwells in unapproachable light?

This phrase emphasizes God's holiness and transcendence, indicating that His presence is so pure and radiant that no human can approach Him without being overwhelmed, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-5 and Revelation 4:1-11.

Has anyone ever seen God?

According to 1 Timothy 6:16 and John 1:18, no one has ever seen God, but Jesus Christ, who is the exact representation of God's being, has made Him known to us, as stated in Hebrews 1:3.

What is meant by 'honor and eternal dominion'?

This phrase acknowledges God's sovereignty and eternal reign, recognizing that He is the supreme ruler of all things, as declared in Psalm 103:19 and Revelation 1:8.

Why is it important to acknowledge God's immortality?

Recognizing God's immortality emphasizes His eternal nature and power, which is a fundamental aspect of His character, as stated in Psalm 90:2 and Romans 1:20.

Reflection Questions

How does the fact that God dwells in unapproachable light impact my understanding of His holiness and my approach to worship?
In what ways can I honor and acknowledge God's eternal dominion in my daily life?
What are the implications of God's immortality for my own mortality and the fleeting nature of human life?
How can I balance the reality of God's unapproachable nature with the invitation to come to Him through Jesus Christ, as seen in John 14:6?
What are some ways I can cultivate a deeper reverence and awe for God's majesty and power, as described in this verse?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 6:16

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,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16

Who only hath immortality; of himself; our souls and angels are immortal from the gift of God: or immortality signifies here the same with eternity, or immutability. Dwelling in the light; continually encompassed with a glory that is unspeakable, . Which no man can approach unto; to which no man can in this life come nigh. Whom no man hath seen; nor did Moses, or Stephen, or any other, ever see his glory so as to comprehend it, or in the full perfection of it. Nor can see; nor can the sons of men see him with their bodily eyes, or so as to comprehend him in his perfection, though some have with their bodily eyes seen his back parts and appearances, and with their souls have, through his grace, been enabled spiritually to behold him. To whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen: to which immortal, glorious, invisible God belongs, and let there for ever be given, honour and power.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16

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. Ver. 16. Dwelling in the light] So that the seraphims in their addresses to him, clap their wings on their faces, Isaiah 6:2, as men are wont to do their hands when the lightning flasheth in their eyes. Nor can see] We can see but God’ s back parts and live: we need see no more that we may live for ever.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16

(16) Who only hath immortality.—The holy angels—the souls of men—are immortal. “But one alone, ‘God,’ can be said to have immortality,” because He, unlike other immortal beings who enjoy their immortality through the will of another, derives it from His own essence. Dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto.—This should be rendered, dwelling in light unapproachable. The Eternal is here pictured as dwelling in an atmosphere of light too glorious for any created beings (not only men) to approach. (See Psalms 104:2, where the Eternal is addressed as covering himself with light as with a garment; see too Daniel 2:22, where light is spoken of as dwelling with God.) The symbolism of the old covenant teaches the same truth, the unapproachable glories in which God dwells; for instance, the guarding of the bounds of Sinai in the giving of the Law; the covering of the faces of the Seraphim in the year that King Uzziah died, when Isaiah saw the divine vision; the veiled darkness of the Holy of holies in the Tabernacle and the Temple, where ever and anon the visible glory dwelt. Whom no man hath seen, nor can see.—The Old Testament teaches the same mysterious truth—“For there shall no man see me, and live” (Exodus 33:20, and also Deuteronomy 4:12). John 1:18 repeats this in very plain words—“No man hath seen God at any time.” The Greek word here includes all created beings. The English translation, “no man,” utterly fails to reproduce the meaning of the original. (See also 1 John 4:12.) These last words seem to preclude the interpretation which applies the foregoing description to the Son. We have above referred this glorious doxology to the Father, as the one who, in His own times, should reveal the Lord Jesus returning to judgment. It is, however, very noteworthy that the loftiest, the sublimest, epithets the inspired pen of Paul could frame to dignify his description of the First Person of the ever-blessed Trinity, God the Father, are used again of the Son. “The Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16; and see too Revelation 1:5).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16

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 φωςοικωναπροσιτον, 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 ascribed honour and power-the sole authority of all-pervading, all-superintending, all-preserving, and everlasting might. The words of St. Paul are inimitably sublime. It is a doubt whether human language can be carried much higher, even under the influence of inspiration, in a description of the supreme Being. It is well known that St. Paul had read the Greek poets. He quotes Aratus, Epimenides, and Menander; this is allowed on all hands. But does he not quote, or refer to, AEschylus and Sophocles too? Scarcely any person suspects this; and yet there is such a complete similarity between the following quotations from the above poets and the apostle's words, that we are almost persuaded he had them in his eye. But if so, he extends the thought infinitely higher, by language incomparably more exalted. I shall introduce and compare with the text the passages I refer to. Ver. 16. Ὁμονοςεχωναθανασιαν, φωςοικωναπροσιτον. In the Antigone of SOPHOCLES there is a sublime address to Jove, of which the following is an extract: ΑγηρωςχρονῳΔυναστας, ΚατεχειςΟλυμπου Μαρμαροεσσαναιγλαν. Ver. 608. Edit. Brunk. "But thou, an ever-during Potentate, dost inhabit the refulgent splendour of Olympus!" This passage is grand and noble; but how insignificant does it appear when contrasted with the superior sublimity of the inspired writer! The deity of Sophocles dwells in the dazzling splendour of heaven; but the God of Paul inhabits light so dazzling and so resplendent that it is perfectly unapproachable! Synesius, in his third hymn, has a fine idea on the mode of God's existence, which very probably he borrowed from St. Paul:- Κεκαλυμμενενου Ιδιαιςαυγαις. "O intellectual Being! veiled in thine own effulgence!" And a few lines after, he says,- Συτοκρυπτομενον "Thou art He who art concealed by thy splendours." All these are excellent, but they are stars of the twelfth magnitude before the apostolic SUN. See a quotation from Euripides, 2 Timothy 4:8.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 6:16

16. whom no man hath seen] ‘These words as compared with John 1:18 seem to prove decisively that the whole description applies to the Fath the Son.’ Alford. Between this verse and Matthew 5:8 there is no opposition, the former referring to man with his present bodily powers and iniquities, the latter referring to the ‘Beatific Vision’ as it has been thence called, the vision of heavenly glory, which was vouchsafed to St Paul, when translated into ‘the third heaven’ (2 Corinthians 12:2), and which will be the portion of the saints perfected and clothed upon with their spiritual bodies, after the rest of Paradise.1 Timothy 6:15-16 have been thought to be part of an early rhythmical Doxology.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 6:16

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.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 6:16

16. Only hath immortality—So Justin Martyr says: “God is said alone to have immortality, because he has it, not from another’s will, as all other immortals have, but from his own essence.” All other

Sermons on 1 Timothy 6:16

	Sermon	Description
	God's Peculiar People by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being zealous for good works as children of God. He highlights that God does not approve of armchair Christianity or ivory
	The Light of the World by Mariano Di Gangi	Mariano Di Gangi emphasizes that Jesus is the light of the world, contrasting the darkness of sin and ignorance with the illuminating truth and guidance that comes from following H
	Open Intercourse With God. by Horatius Bonar	Horatius Bonar emphasizes the natural and necessary relationship between God and humanity, asserting that open and direct communication with our Creator is essential to our existen
	Epistle 111 by George Fox	George Fox warns believers to speak plainly and truthfully, allowing their words to reflect the light of Christ within them. He emphasizes that words should be life-giving and root
	God's Anatomy Upon Man's Heart by Thomas Watson	Thomas Watson preaches about the omniscience of God, emphasizing that all things are naked and open before His eyes. He calls for humility, repentance, and soul-affliction in the f
	The Spirit as Light by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks preaches about the Holy Spirit as Light, emphasizing the importance of transparency, fearlessness, disinfection, and joy that come with walking in the light of the
	1 John 1:5 by John Gill	John Gill emphasizes that the message from God, as revealed through Christ, is that God is light, symbolizing purity, holiness, and knowledge, devoid of any darkness or sin. This d