1 Timothy 6:16
What does 1 Timothy 6:16 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 6:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 6:16 means
God “only hath immortality,” not in the sense that creatures do not live forever by His gift, but that He possesses life in Himself. He dwells in “light unapproachable”; His holiness and glory exceed creaturely sight—“whom no man hath seen, nor can see.” This transcendent majesty evokes doxology: “to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.” Such worship frames ministry. The God who will reveal “our Lord Jesus Christ” is infinitely worthy and utterly beyond manipulation. Timothy’s courage and purity draw strength from this vision: God’s eternal honor and power guarantee that serving Him is meaningful, even when opposed by false teachers or threatened by earthly powers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who only is having immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see, to whom <FI>is<Fi> honour and might age-during! Amen.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who only hath immortality and inhabiteth light inaccessible: whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who 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.
Context
Verse 16 completes the doxology that began in verse 15, celebrating God’s unique life and inaccessible glory. This exaltation follows the charge to keep the commandment until Christ’s appearing, placing Timothy’s obedience within the presence of the transcendent God. With worship re-centering perspective, the letter turns to applied counsel for affluent believers in verses 17–19, showing how faith lives under such a sovereign Lord. Finally, verses 20–21 return to Timothy personally, urging him to guard the entrusted truth and avoid empty, arrogant disputes that have led some to wander from the faith.
v.15which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
v.16This passage
v.17Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
- John 6:46
Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father.
- John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am.
- Revelation 21:3
And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and betheir God:
- Psalms 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
- Habakkuk 3:4
Andhisbrightness was as the light; He had rayscoming forthfrom his hand; And there was the hiding of his power.
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