1 Timothy 6 15

1 Timothy 6:15 kjv

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

1 Timothy 6:15 nkjv

which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

1 Timothy 6:15 niv

which God will bring about in his own time?God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

1 Timothy 6:15 esv

which he will display at the proper time ? he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

1 Timothy 6:15 nlt

For, At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

1 Timothy 6 verses

1 Timothy 6 15 meaning

This verse proclaims God's ultimate sovereignty and perfect timing in revealing the second coming of Jesus Christ. It identifies God as the supremely blessed and singular Sovereign, holding ultimate power and authority over all earthly and heavenly rulers. It serves as a doxological affirmation, highlighting His unique nature and irresistible dominion.

1 Timothy 6 15 Context

1 Timothy 6 addresses Timothy's pastoral responsibilities, concluding the epistle with a strong charge and doxology. Verse 14 urges Timothy to guard the commandment and maintain an unblemished life "until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." This call for steadfastness is immediately supported by the powerful declaration of God's sovereignty in verse 15. The context thus elevates Timothy's immediate tasks to the backdrop of divine omnipotence and future eschatological fulfillment. Historically, this doxology could have implicitly countered the deification of Roman emperors (who were often called kyrios or lord) by asserting a higher, divine authority that reigns supremely over all earthly powers.

1 Timothy 6 15 Word analysis

• which (ἣν - hēn): A relative pronoun referring back to "the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v.14). It underscores that this specific event, Christ's coming, is what God will reveal.
• in His own time (καιροῖς ἰδίοις - kairois idiois):
  • καιροῖς (kairois): Plural of kairos, signifying opportune, specific, or predetermined seasons, rather than general chronological time (chronos). God acts at a precisely chosen, significant moment.
  • ἰδίοις (idiois): "His own." Emphasizes the exclusive and personal prerogative of God concerning the timing of this revelation. It is entirely His decision.
• He will show (δείξει - deixei):
  • δείξει (deixei): Future tense of deiknumi, meaning to show, manifest, or make known. It signifies a public, undeniable revelation. God is the active agent who will cause this appearing to happen.
• He who is (ὁ ὢν - ho ōn): The definite article "the" combined with the present participle of "to be." It emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature, consistent with His self-declaration "I Am" (Exod 3:14) and setting the stage for His attributes.
• the blessed (ὁ μακάριος - ho makarios):
  • μακάριος (makarios): Refers to a state of supreme happiness, blessedness, and absolute contentment, independent of external circumstances. God is inherently blessed and the source of all blessing, radiating joy and well-being. This is an intrinsic attribute of God, not something bestowed upon Him.
• and only (καὶ μόνος - kai monos):
  • μόνος (monos): "Only," "sole." Signifies uniqueness, singularity, and exclusive ownership of these supreme attributes and titles. It underscores monotheism, that there is no other like Him.
• Potentate (δυνάστης - dynastēs):
  • δυνάστης (dynastēs): A powerful ruler, a sovereign. Derives from dynamis (power). It emphasizes absolute power and authority. This term acknowledges His supreme governing authority over the universe.
• the King of kings (ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν βασιλευόντων - ho basileus tōn basileuontōn):
  • βασιλεὺς (basileus): King.
  • βασιλευόντων (basileuontōn): Present active participle, meaning "those who are reigning" or "kings." This phrase denotes supremacy over all other earthly or heavenly rulers, declaring Him to be the ultimate sovereign above all who possess kingship or rule.
• and Lord of lords (καὶ κύριος τῶν κυριευόντων - kai kurios tōn kurieuontōn):
  • κύριος (kurios): Lord, master, owner.
  • κυριευόντων (kurieuontōn): Present active participle, meaning "those who are exercising lordship" or "lords." This title signifies His supreme ownership and ultimate authority over all who claim to have dominion.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "which in His own time He will show": Highlights God's complete control over the timing of Christ's return, assuring believers it will occur exactly when God purposes, not based on human expectations or interventions.
• "He who is the blessed and only Potentate": This identifies God with inherent, unique, and supreme power and happiness. He rules by divine right and perfect character, distinguishing Him from any earthly potentate.
• "the King of kings and Lord of lords": These double titles unequivocally declare God's absolute and uncontestable authority over every form of human and spiritual governance. No power or authority exists outside or above His ultimate rule. They represent the highest possible commendation of sovereignty.

1 Timothy 6 15 Bonus section

The titles "King of kings" and "Lord of lords" were often used in ancient Near Eastern contexts by powerful emperors to denote their suzerainty over lesser kings. By applying these exact titles to God (and in Revelation, to Christ), the Apostle Paul asserts that the Triune God (often attributed to the Father in these verses, who reveals the Son) holds infinitely greater authority than any human monarch or empire. This subtly but strongly challenged the imperial cult of the Roman Empire, which demanded worship for emperors as "lords" (e.g., dominus et deus – lord and god). The use of dynastēs (Potentate) for God is also significant as it underscores divine, irresistible force, not merely positional authority, solidifying the idea that God's plan, including Christ's glorious manifestation, is beyond human impediment. The precision of "His own time" (kairois idiois) suggests not just a determined date but a series of divinely opportune moments in salvation history leading to the final advent.

1 Timothy 6 15 Commentary

This verse functions as a powerful doxology, concluding a series of ethical exhortations in 1 Timothy 6 by anchoring all of life's pursuits and expectations in the ultimate sovereignty of God. The instruction to Timothy (v.14) to faithfully live "until the appearing" of Christ is grounded in the assurance that God, not any human or earthly power, is sovereign over this cosmic event. He is intrinsically "blessed," full of perfect joy and contentment, and uniquely "only" in His attributes of power and dominion. His rule as "Potentate," "King of kings," and "Lord of lords" means that His authority is absolute and unchallenged, guaranteeing that Christ's return will manifest exactly "in His own time." This serves to fortify Timothy, and all believers, in their calling by reminding them of the omnipotent God who oversees all things according to His perfect will. It inspires confidence in God's plan and character.

• Example for Practical Usage: When facing discouragement over global events or feeling overwhelmed by worldly systems, recalling that God is the "King of kings and Lord of lords" offers peace that His ultimate authority will prevail and He works all things according to His perfect, "own time."