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King James Version

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - God;   God Continued...;   Jesus Continued;   Light;   Minister, Christian;   Power;   Thompson Chain Reference - Invisibility of God;   Leaders;   Ministers;   Mysteries-Revelations;   Religious;   Unseen God;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - God;   Light;   Power of Christ, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Face;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Jesus christ;   Life;   Light;   Pastor;   Time;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Amen;   Immortality;   Light;   Paul the Apostle;   Testimony;   Timothy, First and Second, Theology of;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Dwell;   King;   Light;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Cloud;   Form;   Idol;   Timothy, the First Epistle to;   Timothy, the Second Epistle to;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Doxology;   Dwelling;   Hymn;   Immortality;   1 Timothy;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Hymn;   Jangling;   Light;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Dominion;   Doxology;   Enoch Book of;   Glory;   God;   Gospel;   Hymns;   Immortality;   Light and Darkness;   Power Powers;   Praise;   Pre-Eminence ;   Session;   Timothy;   Timothy and Titus Epistles to;   Uncorruptness ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Glory;   Immortality,;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Immortality;   Peniel;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - World;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Timothy, Epistles of Paul to;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Light;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Comparative, Religion;   Conceal;   Immortal;   Light;   Unchangeable;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Angels;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for June 13;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Legacy Standard Bible
who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal might! Amen.
Simplified Cowboy Version
He's the only one who cannot see the noose placed around his neck. The light within him shines so bright that no mortal can even look at him, much less get close to him. Every honor and glory belongs to him and him alone. Amen.
Bible in Basic English
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.
Darby Translation
who only has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor is able to see; to whom [be] honour and eternal might. Amen.
Christian Standard Bible®
the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; no one has seen or can see Him, to Him be honor and eternal might. Amen.
World English Bible
who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no man hath seen, neither can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Weymouth's New Testament
who alone possesses immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, and whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be eternal honour and power! Amen.
King James Version (1611)
Who onely hath immortalitie, dwelling in the light, which no man can approch vnto, whom no man hath seene, nor can see: to whom be honour and power euerlasting. Amen.
Literal Translation
the only One having immortality, living in light that cannot be approached, whom no one of men saw, nor can see; to whom be honor and everlasting might. Amen.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
which onely hath immortalite, and dwelleth in a lighte, that no man can attayne: whom no man hath sene, nether can se. Vnto whom be honoure and empyre euerlastinge, Amen.
Mace New Testament (1729)
who alone is essentially immortal, dwelling in that inaccessible light, which no mortal ever saw, or can see: to whom belongs everlasting honour and empire. amen.
Amplified Bible
He alone possesses immortality [absolute exemption from death] and lives in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal power and dominion! Amen.
American Standard Version
who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
Revised Standard Version
who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
which only hath immortalite and dwelleth in light that no man can attayne whom never man sawe nether can se: vnto whom be honoure and rule everlastynge. Amen.
Update Bible Version
who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honor and power eternal. Amen.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Young's Literal Translation
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.
New Century Version
He is the only One who never dies. He lives in light so bright no one can go near it. No one has ever seen God, or can see him. May honor and power belong to God forever. Amen.
New English Translation
He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
Contemporary English Version
Only God lives forever! And he lives in light that no one can come near. No human has ever seen God or ever can see him. God will be honored, and his power will last forever. Amen.
Complete Jewish Bible
who alone is immortal, who dwells in unapproachable light that no human being has ever seen or can see — to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.
English Standard Version
who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Who onely hath immortalitie, and dwelleth in the light yt none can attaine vnto, whom neuer man sawe, neither can see, vnto whome bee honour and power euerlasting, Amen.
George Lamsa Translation
Who alone has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach, and whom no man has seen, nor can see: to him be honor and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrew Names Version
who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amein.
International Standard Version
He alone has endless life and lives in inaccessible light. No one has ever seen him, nor can anyone see him. Honor and eternal power belong to him! Amen.Exodus 33:20; John 6:46; Ephesians 3:21; Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 1:25; Revelation 1:6; 4:11; 7:12;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
he who only is incorruptible, and (who) dwelleth in light which no man can approach; whom no man of men hath seen, nor is able to see: to him be honour and power for ever and ever. Amen.
Murdock Translation
who only is incorruptible, and dwelleth in light to which no one can approach; and whom no man hath seen, or even can see: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
New King James Version
who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
New Living Translation
He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
New Life Bible
He can never die. He lives in a light so bright that no man can go near Him. No man has ever seen God or can see Him. Honor and power belong to Him forever. Let it be so.
English Revised Version
who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power eternal. Amen.
New Revised Standard
It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Who alone hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, - Whom no man hath seen - nor can see: unto whom, be honour and might age-abiding. Amen.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who only hath immortality and inhabiteth light inaccessible: whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.
Lexham English Bible
the one who alone possesses immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen nor is able to see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Who only hath immortalitie, dwelling in the light that no man can attayne vnto, Whom no man hath seene, neither can see, vnto whom be honour & power euerlastyng. Amen.
Easy-to-Read Version
God is the only one who never dies. He lives in light so bright that people cannot go near it. No one has ever seen him; no one is able to see him. All honor and power belong to him forever. Amen.
New American Standard Bible
who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Good News Translation
He alone is immortal; he lives in the light that no one can approach. No one has ever seen him; no one can ever see him. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Which aloone hath vndeedlynesse, and dwellith in liyt, to which no man may come; whom no man say, nether may se; to whom glorie, and honour, and empire be with out ende.

Contextual Overview

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 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. 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

only: 1 Timothy 1:17, Exodus 3:14, Deuteronomy 32:40, Psalms 90:2, Isaiah 57:15, John 8:58, Hebrews 13:8, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:17, Revelation 1:18

dwelling: Psalms 104:2, Habakkuk 3:4, 1 John 1:5, Revelation 1:16, Revelation 1:17, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 22:5

whom: Exodus 33:20, John 1:18, John 6:46, John 14:9, Colossians 1:15

to whom: 1 Timothy 1:17, Romans 16:25-27, Ephesians 3:21, Philippians 4:20, Jude 1:25, Revelation 1:6, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 7:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:3 - Let Genesis 16:10 - the angel Exodus 20:21 - thick Exodus 24:10 - saw Exodus 33:18 - General Exodus 33:23 - thou shalt Numbers 12:8 - mouth Joshua 22:22 - Lord God 1 Chronicles 29:11 - is the greatness 2 Chronicles 5:14 - the priests Job 9:11 - he goeth Job 23:8 - General Job 26:9 - General Job 37:23 - we Psalms 10:16 - The Lord Psalms 33:14 - General Ecclesiastes 7:24 - General Isaiah 6:1 - I saw also Lamentations 5:19 - remainest Daniel 2:22 - and the Daniel 4:34 - him Daniel 7:9 - whose Daniel 7:13 - and they Habakkuk 1:12 - thou not Matthew 6:9 - Hallowed John 5:26 - hath life John 5:37 - Ye have John 17:3 - the only Acts 9:3 - a light Romans 1:20 - For the Romans 11:36 - to whom Romans 16:27 - God 2 Corinthians 11:31 - which 1 Timothy 3:15 - the living 2 Timothy 4:18 - to whom Hebrews 11:27 - seeing Hebrews 13:21 - to whom 1 Peter 4:11 - to whom 1 John 1:7 - as 1 John 4:12 - seen

Cross-References

Genesis 7:16
And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.
Genesis 8:6
And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
2 Samuel 6:16
And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord ; and she despised him in her heart.
2 Kings 9:30
And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
Ezekiel 41:16
The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories, over against the door, cieled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows, and the windows were covered;
Ezekiel 42:3
Over against the twenty cubits which were for the inner court, and over against the pavement which was for the utter court, was gallery against gallery in three stories.
Luke 13:25
When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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 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 whom [be] honour and power everlasting, Amen. Which may be considered either as a wish, that such honour, power, and glory might be ascribed unto him, as we supply it; or as an assertion that it is given to him, as it is by the angels, and by the saints in heaven and in earth.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 eyes could not endure it. This is a very common representation of the dwelling place of God. See examples quoted in Pricaeus, in loc. 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 compare Revelation 4:6; Ezekiel 1:4; Hebrews 1:3.

Whom no man hath seen nor can see - notes on John 1:18.

To whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen - see the notes on Romans 11:36.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

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 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. Ὁ μονος εχων αθανασιαν, φως οικων απροσιτον.

In the Antigone of SOPHOCLES there is a sublime address to Jove, of which the following is an extract:


Αγηρως χρονῳ Δυναστας,

Κατεχεις Ολυμπου

Μαρμαροεσσαν αιγλαν.

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:-


Κεκαλυμμενε νου

Ιδιαις αυγαις.

"O intellectual Being! veiled in thine own effulgence!"

And a few lines after, he says,-


Συ το κρυπτομενον

Ιδιαις αυγαις.

"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.


 
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