God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.
Summary: Paul’s words provide a description of God that is both awe-inspiring and humbling.
One of the things about the Bible that is a bit hard for us to comprehend is how things work in the spiritual realm. For example, Jesus says that he and the Father “are one” (John 10:30). What does that mean? How are we to understand this?
Here, in Paul’s letter, he writes that God is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” That makes sense to me because Paul is pointing to God’s supreme authority. He is God, and we are not. But there is something else here. Paul is not the only one to use this description of God.
In John’s description of Jesus setting out for the final battle against Evil we see him described with a name on his thigh:
“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16)
Both God and Jesus share the same title. Both of them share the same authority. As Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.”
Both are immortal.
I thought the use of the word “immortal” was interesting, because when we live with God in heaven, all of us who serve King Jesus will technically be “immortal.” But there is a big difference between our life in Christ and God’s immortality.
God pre-existed everything (Genesis 1:1). He exists outside of time (Psalm 90:4). He is to human immortality what a 100-year-old man is to a newborn baby.
The immortality of God is without beginning or end.
Then we have the quality of Light. Paul says the Lord lives in “unapproachable light.”
I am reminded of the story of Paul’s direct encounter with the Lord:
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.” (Acts 9:3)
When Paul says that God lives in “unapproachable light,” he knows what he is talking about!
Authority, immortality, and unapproachable light. There is a reason the Bible says that we should “fear the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:13).
Application: God is Awesome!
Food for Thought: What would you add to Paul’s description of God’s power and position?
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What would you add to Paul’s description of God’s power and position?
That even though God is immortal and lives in unapproachable light, He willingly bends down to lift the poor from the dust.
Psalm 113:4-9
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
That even though no one has seen or can see Him, He reveals His presence to us through His love, mercy, and faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Thank you, Chris!
That is hugely important!
What would you add to Paul’s description of God’s power and position?
God is not restricted to the thoughts, imaginations of His created beings. He is beyond our ability to ever imagine.
Omnipotent power.
Unlimited capability to create and sustain all things
Jeremiah 32:17
Absolute Sovereignty
Exercise of total authority and control over creation
1 Chronicles 29:11
Infinite existence
Unlimited by time, lacking any beginning or end
Psalm 90:2
Perfect holiness
Absolute moral purity and separation from all evil
Isiah 6:3
Thank you, Ron!
I agree it is a mistake to try and put God in a box!