1 Timothy 6:13-16 – The King of Kings

As Paul encourages Timothy to fight the good fight and make the good confession, he reminds him of several attributes of God. First, His Power: In verse 13 he says God is the One “who gives life to all things.” He is the Creator and Sustainer of everything. Without Him, the world would never have existed and without Him it cannot continue to exist. Second, His Providence: In verse 14, Paul writes of the promised return of Jesus and in verse 15 he says Christ will appear “at the proper time.” All things work according to God’s timing, which is an aspect of His Providence, whereby He upholds, directs, disposes and governs all creatures, actions and things (Westminster Confession of Faith, 5.1). Third, His Perfection: The word translated as “blessed” in verse 15 is a Greek term that speaks of being fulfilled, content and at peace. When used to describe God, it speaks of the fact that He lacks nothing; He is Perfect. Fourth, His Sovereignty: In verse 15, Paul calls Him “the only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” All authority rests in and issues from Him. Every other ruler is under Him. (Note, also, that, in Revelation 17:14 and 19:16, Jesus, specifically, is called “King of kings and Lord of lords.” There is no question that Jesus is God). Fifth, His Eternal Being or Immortality: In verse 16, Paul says God “alone has immortality.” God, alone, is self-existent, and, therefore, only He has always been and only He will exist forever of His own accord. For anyone or anything else to last forever, God must sustain him, her, or it. Lastly, His Holiness: In verse 16, Paul tells us God “dwells in unapproachable light” and, thus, “no one has ever seen or can see” Him. While God manifests His glory in various ways and has come to us in the Person of Jesus Christ, His divine nature is invisible and even holy angels cannot look upon the fulness of His glory (Isaiah 6:2). In that sense, He is unapproachable and apart from His creation; He is Holy. Rejoice and be confident, since you serve such a wondrous God.

Questions
1. What are some attributes of God?
2. What does it mean that God is King of kings and Lord of lords?
3. What does Paul mean when he says no one has ever seen or can see God?

Prayer Points
1. Give thanks that we serve such a glorious God.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.