Devoting himself to a theme of godliness in writing his spiritual son, Timothy, Paul writes to encourage him to teach godliness to people who enjoy financial prosperity (1 Tim. 6:3-10, 17-19). Part of his instruction is to point rich Christians (the case can easily be made that American Christians qualify as this in nearly all instances) to where the truest treasures lay. Along with encouraging righteous behavior, Paul points to God who gives life to all things (13). Paul also points to Christ Jesus, who is faithful (14) and who is coming again (14) to give “life indeed” (19). Certainly, as Christ is divine, this picture describes Him; though it is obvious this is a portrait of God. He depicts God as:
- Privileged—“Blessed” (15)
- Particular—“Only” (15); “Alone” (16)
- Predominant—“Sovereign” (15)
- Preeminent—“King of kings and Lord of lords” (15)
- Possessor—“Possesses immortality” (16)
- Phenomenal—“Dwells in unapproachable light” (16)
- Praiseworthy—“To Him be honor and eternal dominion!” (16)
Why would Paul remind a preacher to remind Christians who God is? As we see in the second letter to Timothy, motivation is vital! What keeps me serving God when life is difficult? When the world around me ignores Him, mocks Him, rebels against Him, blasphemes Him, and dismisses Him, I need to serve and glorify Him. What will help me do that? I need to see Him for what He truly is! So Paul pulls out a series of superlatives to drive home the point, “How great is our God!”
In a world full of ungodliness, of “worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’” (20), we must be on “guard.” Nothing clarifies the task better than intently focusing on the nature of God. He provides (1:4), He is (1:17), He saves (2:4; 4:10), He lives and rules (3:15;4:10), He created (4:3-4), and He sees (5:21). What motivation!
Neal Pollard