1 Timothy 6:15-16 15which he will make known at its own proper time, the one who is the blessed and only ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16the only one who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no person has seen or is able to see, to whom be honor and power forever, Amen.
As Paul thinks about the second coming of Jesus, he moves in a doxology in praise to God. The subject of this doxology is not clear. The closest reference is to Jesus, but God (the Father) is referenced in verse 13. With monotheistic unity of the Father, Son, and Spirit, it does not matter. The doxology comes in response to the appearing of Jesus at the proper time. Only God the Father knows when the end will come (Matthew 24:36). Doxologies often have a hymnic and poetic quality with short statements. This one has six lines in praise of Jesus.
The first expresses praise for Jesus as the blessed and only ruler. Jesus was proclaimed sovereign upon his resurrection from the dead (Philippians 2:9-11). This statement was a strong response to the claims of political rulers such as kings and emperors. Ephesus was full of idols and religions that claimed people’s allegiance.
The second line of praise echoes the first by pointing out further Jesus’ sovereignty as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus as the Lamb is given the same description in Revelation 17:14 and 19:18. It is noteworthy that Revelation was written to churches in the same area of Asia Minor, including Ephesus. This statement was a direct confrontation to the claims of the Roman Emperor and could have been perceived as a threat to its claims for allegiance.
The third description shifts to the eternality of Jesus as the only one who has immortality. Only the Triune God is truly immortal and beyond death and destruction. The Bible does not teach the immorality of the soul. The immorality of any other being is derived as a gift of the only Creator.
Fourth, Jesus as the Light of the World dwells in unapproachable light. In the Bible, light represents God’s holy presence (Psalm 104:2; Job 37:21-22). Sinful humanity cannot stand in the presence of God’s overwhelming glory. Jesus as the reflection of God’s radiance came to earth as the Light shining into the darkness (John 1:5, 18; 1 John 1:1).
The logical conclusion of the unapproachable light of the Triune God is that no one can see God. This line suggests that Paul has God the Father as the focus of the doxology since the Son will be visible as the Lamb on the throne. No one can see God because God’s holiness is overwhelming. God becomes visible in the Son who is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3).
The conclusion to the doxology attributes all honor and power forever to God. Honor is given to God through worship. God does not need our worship to be honored. In our worship, we recognize who God is. Honoring God through praise recognized his power and sovereignty and proper place in our lives. At the end of a doxology like this, the only proper response can be Amen. Paul reminds Timothy in this doxology of the power and place of the Triune God should have in his life. This will keep his focus on the truth and kept him from being deceived by compromise of the false teachings.
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