Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 70

Paul Encourages Timothy to Continue in the True Gospel Part 5

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. KJV

Lastly, Paul takes his declaration to Brother Timothy of who our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ truly is to the highest heights as he says this concerning Him, "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) (KJV). When Paul writes this first part of this verse saying, 'who only hath immortality', he means that our Lord Jesus Christ (the One True God) is the only One who has underived or original immortality, that is, immortality that was not given to Him by creation or a creator, for He is The Creator of heaven and earth and all things just as this same Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in the Colossian Church with these words, "For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created {and} exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in {and} for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together)." (Colossians 1:16-17) (Amplified Bible).

The English word 'only' is translated by the Greek word monos meaning remaining, that is, sole or single; by implication mere: - alone, only, by themselves. The English word 'immortality' is translated by the Greek word athanasia meaning deathlessness: - immortality. Note: "The Apostle Paul uses this Greek word 'monos' referring to our Lord Jesus Christ here in this first letter to Timothy because during his time there were earthly men who had made or declared themselves to be god. Domitian (the Roman Emperor during this time) had decided, determined, and declared himself to be lord and god on the earth and was to be at all times and in all ways addressed as such." Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning our Lord Jesus Christ (God) as being the only One who has immortality, "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."

When Paul writes, 'dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto', he is saying that just as the Sun (created by God) is unapproachable due to the great intensity of the fire and heat exerted from it, so is our Lord Jesus Christ (God) even more so because of His Great Power, Properties, and Purity can no sinful man/woman approach Him unless they have been born again, remember what our Lord Jesus (while covering His Glory on the earth) said to Nicodemus, "Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother's womb again and be born? Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:3-5) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, this is step one in our being able to approach God who is unapproachable by us sinners, however, the final step is for us to have our mortality done away with and given over to immortality.

Paul declared this to the believers in the Corinthian Church with these words, "But I tell you this, brethren, flesh and blood cannot [become partakers of eternal salvation and] inherit {or} share in the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (that which is decaying) inherit {or} share in the imperishable (the immortal). Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death)." (1 Corinthians 15:50-53) (Amplified Bible). Here again is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the light that God dwells in, "'Inhabiting inapproachable light.' The light where He dwells is so brilliant and dazzling that mortal eyes could not endure it. This is a very common representation of the dwelling place of God. Heaven is constantly represented as a place of the most pure and brilliant light, needing not the light of the sun, or the moon, or the stars Revelation 21:23-24; Revelation 22:5, and God is represented as dwelling in that light, surrounded by amazing and inapproachable glory."

When Paul writes, 'whom no man hath seen, nor can see', he is referring to the very Nature of God being so Pure and so Powerful, that no sinful unredeemed man could see or be in the presence of such Purity and Power and live, but those of us who have been redeemed will see a part or portion of His Glory in heaven with Him for we shall be changed and transformed in the likeness of Him just as the Apostle John declared we would when he wrote these words, "See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named {and} called {and} counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes {and} is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble {and} be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is." (1 John 3:1-2) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning seeing God, "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 beatific vision of Him; which saints in heaven have, who see Him as He is, and in such sort as no man now does, or can see Him." To our Lord Jesus Christ alone is Honor, that is, esteem especially of the highest degree; Power, that is, great vigor and dominion and strength; Everlasting, that is, perpetual continuing forever or indefinitely. Amen or so be it!

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…