1 Timothy 6:16

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Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

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

— WEB

“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

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

— ASV

Cross-references

Related verses via the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Timothy 1:17 "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
John 1:18 "No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son,NU reads “God” who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him."
1 John 1:5 "This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
Colossians 1:15 "who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation."
Psalms 90:2 "Before the mountains were born, before you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God."
John 6:46 "Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father."
Psalms 104:2 "He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain."
Isaiah 57:15 "For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is…"

Commentary

Who only hath immortality--in His own essence, not merely at the will of another, as all other immortal beings [JUSTIN MARTYR, QuÃ&brvbrst. 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 mere heathen philosophy that attributes to the soul indestructibility in itself, which is to be attributed solely to God's gift. As He hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself (Joh 5:26). The term used in the New Testament for "immortal," which does not occur, is "incorruptible." "Immortality" is found in Co1 15:53-54. dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto--After life comes mention of light, as in Joh 1:4. That light is unapproachable to creatures, except in so far as they are admitted by Him, and as He goes forth to them [BENGEL]. It is unapproachable on account of its exceeding brightness [THEOPHYLACT]. If one cannot gaze steadfastly at the sun, which is but a small part of creation, by reason of its exceeding heat and power, how much less can mortal man gaze at the inexpressible glory of God [THEOPHYLACT, To Autolycus] (Psa 104:2; Jo1 1:5). no man hath seen-- (Exo 23:20; Joh 1:18; Col 1:15; Heb 11:27; Jo1 4:12). Perhaps even in the perfect state no creature shall fully see God.

— Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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