CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
1 Timothy 6:13. God, who quickeneth all things.—R.V. margin, “preserveth all things alive.” It would almost seem as if St. Paul meant to say that, whatever perils gathered round the warrior for truth, an unseen shield should cover his head in the day of battle.
1 Timothy 6:15. The blessed and only Potentate.—All else derive their power from Him and hold it Dei gratiâ.
1 Timothy 6:16. Who only hath immortality.―“He in whom immortality essentially exists and who enjoys it neither derivatively nor by participation” (Ellicott). Dwelling in light which no man can approach unto.—All the fulsome eulogies of kings who “live for ever,” and whose faces shine on their favourites, are but poor, broken lights as compared with the God who is light.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 1 Timothy 6:13-16
A Solemn call to Fidelity—
I. Uttered as in the presence of the life-giving God and witnessing Christ (1 Timothy 6:13).—One cannot read this impressive verse without catching somewhat of the solemnity of tone in which it was uttered. As though conscious his own career was closing, the apostle seems to hand on his unfinished work to Timothy, and he urges him to faithfulness here by the present manifestation of God’s power in quickening and preserving all things, and by reminding him of the deep significance of the testimony that Christ sealed with His death. The testimony that Christ bore was that He was King and that His kingdom was of the truth—a testimony that embraced the whole gospel. Timothy’s confession was therefore to include the whole truth of Christianity. We see therefore the gravity of the charge committed to the young evangelist. Unborn generations were concerned in his fidelity.
II. In maintaining and handing down the truth inviolate to the latest times (1 Timothy 6:14).—If we have a pure gospel to-day, we owe it to the faithful and holy Timothys, who, living at the beginning of the gospel era, maintained the truth in its integrity, and passed it on unmixed and unimpaired to their immediate successors. It is not less our solemn duty to-day to preserve the truth inviolate, to faithfully and vigorously propagate it, and hand it down as a sacred deposit to the generation following. So shall the bright succession run till the glorious appearing of Him who is the living embodiment and transcendent theme of the highest truth.
III. Enforced by a sublime description of the Deity.—
1. As the absolute Ruler. “The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). Blessed in Himself, and the source of unspeakable blessedness to all who voluntarily submit to His loving and righteous rule.
2. As inherently and independently immortal. “Who only hath immortality” (1 Timothy 6:16). Having incorruptible life in Himself, in His own essential Divine essence, and not merely derived as in all other immortal beings, the Lord of life and glory bestows eternal life on all who believe on Him. Incorruptible life is not inherent in the human soul; it is the gift of God.
3. As dwelling in unapproachable splendour. “Dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see” (1 Timothy 6:16). If we cannot gaze at the sun because of its dazzling brightness, how much less can mortal man gaze upon the blinding and inexpressible glory of God! We must ourselves be clothed with the Divine splendour in order that we may bear the revelation of the beatific vision.
4. To whom everlasting honour and power are ascribed. “To whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:16). This magnificent description of Jehovah would add solemnity and emphasis to the charge here given to Timothy. Our fidelity must be maintained as in the immediate presence of the all-seeing God, who is conscious of every defection of which we may be guilty, and who will not fail to help us in our struggles and reward our faithful devotion with unspeakable and lasting glory.
Lessons.—
1. The truth demands incorruptible fidelity.
2. God has committed the fortunes of His truth to His own commissioned messengers.
3. The progress of the truth is every moment watched by the all-seeing Eye.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1 Timothy 6:13-14. The Truth of the Gospel—
I. Was attested by Christ at a crucial moment (1 Timothy 6:13).
II. Is to be kept inviolate (1 Timothy 6:14).
III. The keeping of the truth is aided by the quickening and preservative power of God (1 Timothy 6:13).
IV. Is to be kept every moment as in the presence of God (1 Timothy 6:13).
V. Is to be kept to the end of the gospel dispensation (1 Timothy 6:14).
1 Timothy 6:15-16. The Glory of God—
I. Is revealed by Christ in all its beneficent and regal splendour (1 Timothy 6:15).
II. Seen in His possessing and bestowing immortality (1 Timothy 6:16).
III. Surpasses all human comprehension (1 Timothy 6:16).
IV. Will elicit everlasting praise (1 Timothy 6:16).