to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 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.
What is eternal dominion? What is Lord of Lords? To understand these terms we have to understand the context of this chapter of the letter to Timothy. Paul wants Timothy to continue to carry out the mission of the Church. Timothy is charged with obeying the commands from this book in an “unstained” manner and “free from reproach.” How long is Timothy to minister in this way? Until the Jesus returns in a “proper time.” The words give us the truth that Timothy is to serve, faithfully, through any circumstances UNTIL Jesus returns at the “proper time” (a time of God’s own choosing). What God?
1. The blessed and only Sovereign God. This is the only time in the NT that this phrase is used. It denotes that God is ruling the world.
2. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords God. These phrases have a long history in God’s word and denote that God is the Sovereign (big S) over those who believe they are sovereign (little s). God has absolute sovereignty over all things. Including other earthly and heavenly hosts.
3. The Immortal God. This speaks of God unchangeableness. His immutability. We can rejoice in the fact that God is bound only by one thing: His character. God can not go against who God is.
4. The God of unapproachable light. This speaks to God’s glory. Light speaks of purity. God’s glory is often shown and spoken of in John’s writings as pure light (John 1:7-9; 3:19-21; 1 John 1:5-7).
5. The God who is unseen nor can be seen. This ties into His unapproachable light because light cannot mix with darkness. When light comes darkness is gone. God can never mix with sinful humanity (which shows the need for Christ’s mediation).
6. The honored and dominion God. This shows God’s might. This thought is repeated in Revelation 5:13. That God is the most powerful and full of might that gives Him dominion of all things, brings this entire doxology to a close.
What is the purpose of all these statements about God in the context of the statement of Christ’s return? Paul writes them to encourage Timothy to not lose heart in the battle agains sin and demonic forces that are trying to pull the church apart. The “gates of hell” are fighting against the church. We can rejoice that the most mighty, pure, unchanging, King of Kings and Lord of Lords Sovereign God is not only in charge, but fighting back ... through Timothy. That is encouraging. Knowing we serve a Sovereign God gives us power and hope in ministry.
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