Featured Is 1 Timothy 6:16 Poorly Translated?

Here are a few versions of the verse:
(1 Timothy 6:16)
NASB: who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

NKJV: who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

CSB: who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

The problem is that these and the others I looked at all apparently say only the Trinity is or has or possesses immortality. However, every born anew believer has "put on" immortality, 1 Corinthians 15:53-54. So what is the actual message of our verse?

The Greek word (G110 echo) means to (1) hold something, (2) possess something, (3) to be something, and (4) to cling to something. All the above translations go with the second meaning, to possess something, i.e.. immortality. However since every born anew believer also "possesses" immortality, that choice of meaning seems off target. I think meaning number 3 is the actual intended message, the Trinity is, was and always will be immortal. It is a core attribute, not something acquired or held.

Note the CSB comes the closest to the mark, but I think this would avoid confusion, "the only one whose essence is immortal, ...."

 

A problem with rendering the literal "having immortality" as "whose essence is immortal" is the lack of literalness. Can we still solve the confusion without going so far afield? The Greek word (echo) could be rendered "manifesting" which gets at revealing an attribute, and using that verb choice, then the literal "immortality" fits perfectly. So with this effort we get "the only one manifesting immortality...." This verb choice points both to the manifestation of the eternal attribute of the Trinity, and the gift from God of eternal life to born anew believers.

 

Another problem arising with "manifesting" is that another Greek word is commonly rendered in a form of manifestation. However "demonstrating" also falls withing the meaning range of "echo" and its usage does not as significantly overlap with the rendering of other Greek words.

"the one demonstrating immortality and dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen."

 

Well one of us seems confused, perhaps both.

It is true, physically we will not "put on" immortality until the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). But with our spiritual rebirth in Christ, we were made alive together with Christ, and thus right now have eternal life. John 3:16.

 

Our "eternal life" or better "everlasting life" only goes forward toward the future. We had and will always have our creation where God formed our Spirit within us. The "both directions" view has no basis in scripture or logic.

 

So all the human spirits in Heaven now, awaiting the redemption of their bodies, do not have eternal life? Makes no sense to me. And John 3:16 says those "in Him" shall never perish which means spiritual immortality.

 

Well one of us does not. John 3:16

 

I believe your view is without basis in scripture or logic. Certainly our physical bodies undergo decay upon physical death, thus our bodies are "corruptible" and upon our bodily redemption will put on "incorruptible." But our human Spirit/souls are also mortal and can be "destroyed" in Gehenna. Thus when we are spiritually placed in Christ, we shall not perish but have everlasting life. So "immortality"applies to both our body and our "spirit/soul."

 

(1 Timothy 6:16)
NASB: who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

NKJV: who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

CSB: who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

The next issue for consideration is the choice of "unapproachable" when in fact the "kingdom of light" is approachable. However, it is definitely inaccessible. No one enters by their own volition, only those placed, transferred or "called" into His marvelous light actually gain entry into the kingdom of heaven. Since Matthew 23:13 teaches people were in the process of entering but did not enter, inaccessible better fits the reality being presented.

 

The last translation choice to consider comes at the end of the verse, with the NASB going with eternal dominion, and the others with eternal or everlasting power. Here because scripture is ascribing attributes or characteristics to God, from our human perspective, I think "dominion" (ruling power) best conveys the intended message. We give Him glory as our sovereign Lord. Also note the choice of "human" over man or one because humans are in view.

In summary,

"the One demonstrating immortality, dwelling in inaccessible light, whom no human has seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen"

 

What a waste, not one of the versions supported the absurdity that "eternal" does not mean "beginning but no end."

Lexicon meaning III without end, never to cease, everlasting

For someone to pick one of three meanings and claim it is the only meaning does not display candor

 

In summary, 1 Timothy 6:16 translation choices could be improved as follows:

"the One demonstrating immortality, dwelling in inaccessible light, whom no human has seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen"