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1 Timothy 6:15

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

Which {G3739} in his {G2398} times {G2540} he shall shew {G1166}, who {G3588} is the blessed {G3107} and {G2532} only {G3441} Potentate {G1413}, the King {G935} of kings {G936}, and {G2532} Lord {G2962} of lords {G2961};

His appearing will be brought about in its own time by the blessed and sole Sovereign, who is King of kings and Lord of lords,

which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.

which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Commentary

Context

This verse concludes a profound doxology (a hymn of praise) that began in 1 Timothy 6:14, following Paul's earnest charge to Timothy regarding his conduct and doctrine. Paul instructs Timothy to keep the commandment "without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ." Verse 15 then shifts focus to the glorious nature of God who will reveal Christ at the appointed time, reminding Timothy (and all believers) of the ultimate authority behind the divine commands and the certainty of future divine revelation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Timing: The phrase "Which in his times he shall shew" underscores God's absolute control over all events, particularly the future revelation of Christ. This highlights that God's plan unfolds according to His perfect schedule, not human expectation or desire. It speaks to God's sovereignty over all times and seasons.
  • God's Supreme Authority: The titles "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" emphatically declare God's unrivaled power, majesty, and dominion over all creation and every earthly ruler. He is the ultimate authority, the source of all power and blessing, and the final arbiter of all things.
  • The Glory of Christ's Appearing: While the titles primarily describe God the Father, they are intrinsically linked to the "appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" mentioned in the previous verse. This coming revelation will be a magnificent display of the Father's glory through the Son, confirming Christ's divine nature and His ultimate authority as the returning King of kings and Lord of lords, before whom every knee will bow.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Potentate" (Greek: dynastēs) signifies a powerful ruler, a sovereign, or one who holds great authority. The addition of "only" emphasizes God's unique, inherent, and unrivaled power and dominion. He is the sole source of all authority, distinguishing Him from any earthly king or potentate who derives their power from Him. The titles "King of kings, and Lord of lords" are superlative expressions, affirming His supreme rank above all other rulers, human or divine. This language paints a picture of absolute, unchallenged supremacy.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a call to worship for believers:

  • Trust in God's Perfect Timing: Knowing that God operates "in his times" encourages patience and trust, especially when facing delays or uncertainties. We can rest assured that God's plan for Christ's return and the consummation of all things will unfold perfectly, not according to human timelines.
  • Reverence and Obedience: Recognizing God as the "only Potentate" and "King of kings" should inspire deep reverence, awe, and humble obedience in our lives. Our conduct should reflect submission to His supreme will, knowing that He is the ultimate arbiter of justice and truth.
  • Confidence in Ultimate Victory: This powerful description of God assures believers that His purposes will prevail. Despite present challenges or the apparent power of earthly rulers, God is ultimately in control, and His kingdom will triumph. This provides immense hope and confidence for those who follow Him, knowing their eternal ruler holds all power.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 19:16 (16 votes)

    And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

  • Revelation 17:14 (13 votes)

    ¶ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

  • 1 Timothy 1:17 (11 votes)

    Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Jeremiah 10:10 (8 votes)

    But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

  • Psalms 47:2 (8 votes)

    For the LORD most high [is] terrible; [he is] a great King over all the earth.

  • 1 Timothy 1:11 (7 votes)

    According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

  • Daniel 2:44 (6 votes)

    And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.