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.
1 Timothy 6:16
This verse continues the doxology about God’s greatness, focusing on his immortality and radiant holiness. “Only hath immortality” underscores that God alone is unending—differences from created beings who experience death. “Dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto” uses imagery of divine invisibility and purity. Light in biblical poetry represents God’s holiness, purity, and glory; no human can approach His unfiltered radiance. The clause “whom no man hath seen, nor can see” echoes Old Testament revelation (Exodus 33:20; 1 John 4:12) and the New Testament insistence that God’s full unveiled glory is beyond human sight outside of eschatological revelation. The doxology “to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen” seals the truth with worshipful assent.
This verse deepens the doctrine of divine immutability and transcendence. God’s immortality contrasts with Creation’s fragility. The invisibility theme foreshadows the incarnation: Jesus reveals God’s presence in human likeness while preserving divine holiness. It guards believers from idolizing images or chasing experiences that presume to encounter God without transformation. The perpetual honor and power attributed to God reinforce the Christian hope that ultimate reality rests not in human achievement but in God’s eternal stature.
For believers, this verse invites reverence and humility. We cannot “approach” God in our own strength, yet through Jesus we gain access to the Father. Practical application: cultivate prayerful awe—begin prayers with reverent posture, confess limitations, and worship God for His eternal glory. In daily life, avoid chasing loud spiritual experiences that become idols; instead pursue humble faithfulness, integrity, and dependence on God’s unchanging nature. If you’ve struggled with doubt about God’s presence, remember that divine fullness remains beyond full human perception, yet God chooses to reveal Himself in Jesus and through Scripture.
Cross-References: Exodus 33:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; John 1:14; 1 John 1:5; Romans 11:36