When God's Light Shines

“and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2Tim 1:10).

There have always been heated rivalries. The Hatfields and McCoys. Duke and Carolina. Red Sox and Yankees. Team Edward and Team Bella. But there’s one pair of rivals that goes way back. I mean WAY back. Back to Creation. Who are they? Darkness and light. You may have heard about them. There’s only one problem with their feud. It’s really not much of a rivalry at all. Light is undefeated. It wins. Every. Single. Time. Like I said, not much of a rivalry when you get down to it. Kinda like the Cubs and Cardinals. On the other hand, I guess anybody can have a bad century. But I digress.

Light has been kicking darkness’ backside since God first flipped on the switch in the beginning (Gen 1:3). Here in his second letter to Timothy, Paul tells his young protege how our Heavenly Father kicked on the most powerful light in the universe when His Son took human form. From the darkness of a Roman dungeon, the apostle writes of how our salvation “has now been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (v10). 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Think we’re overstating the dazzling brilliance of what Paul says? Believe it or not, a closer look at the original language reveals that the apostle mentions light not once, not twice, but THREE times! Think of it as God flipping on three supernatural light switches. The Greek words the ESV translates as “manifested,” “appearing,” and “brought to…light” all carry the idea of shining brightly. That makes sense when you remember that Jesus Himself announced, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). The apostle’s point to Tim is that when Christ stepped into the spotlight of history, He made everything clear. It’s almost like we stumbled around in the dark and were feeling our way around. Suddenly, Jesus appears and God’s plan shines like the lights of Time Square. In the bright light of the Lord, the darkness of death dies. 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Exactly what is Paul describing when he writes that “which now has been manifested” (v10)? The key is in the previous verse. So before moving forward, take a quick look in the rearview mirror. He’s talking about the overflowing grace which “He gave us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2Tim 2:9). Did you realize that God’s grace is prehistoric? That wasn’t fully clear until the radical Rabbi/Carpenter made the scene in first century Palestine.

God’s amazing grace was “manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus” (v10). Here’s the first light switch in verse 10. “Manifested” is the Greek verb phanero’o, which means to make known, reveal, make evident, cause to be seen or appear, or become visible. It comes from the root word phos, which describes something that shines or glows. Look familiar? It should. That’s where we get our words like photo, photosynthesis, and phosphorus. 

Allow God’s Word to shine a little light on this word. Paul tells his Ephesian friends, “When anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible (Gr. phanero’o)” (Eph 5:13). Late one night, Jesus tells one of the religious hot shots of the time named Nicodemus, “Whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen (Gr. phanero’o) that his works have been carried out in God” (Jn 3:21). Before our Savior gave sight to a man blind from birth, He says to His crew that God hadn’t punished the dude for any sin, but so that “the works of God might be displayed (Gr. phanero’o) in him” (Jn 9:3). In other words, just wait and see what happens when the Lord flips the light switch in this guy’s life for the very first time.

When God’s Light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Paul goes on to say that God fires up His floodlight “through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus” (v10). We come to the second divine light switch. “Appearing” (Gr. epiphaneia) is from the same root word as “manifested.” This particular term describes an outward show or something becoming conspicuous. Once again, it means to shine a bright light. When the human authors of the Bible use it when talking about a visible manifestation of the divine. More specifically, they only use in the NT to describe Jesus’ physical Incarnation as the God-Man (2Tim 4:8) or His spectacular encore we call the Second Coming (2Th 2:8; 1Tim 6:14; 2Tim 4:1, 8, Titus 2:13). If you think things shined on His first appearance, it’s really gonna dazzle when our Hero returns. Our future’s so bright, we’re gonna need shades.

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

The apostle wants his readers to know God has revealed Jesus to be so much more than simply an awesome self-help teacher, new age philosopher, or miraculous healer. He’s “our Savior Christ Jesus” (v10). As Savior, the Son of God has come to our rescue. After saving a local mafia boss in Jericho, the Lord announces at a dinner party in His honor how He “came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk 19:10). 

Jesus saved us because we couldn’t save ourselves. He fulfills every one of His Father’s commands we could never dream of obeying (Mt 5:17). Jesus saves us by living the perfect life we failed to live, dying the death for our sin we should have died, and rising to the new life we don’t deserve. He trades His perfection for our rebellion (2Cor 5:21). God shines His light on Jesus as the Savior who makes the greatest search and rescue mission the universe has ever seen. Think of the Second Person of the Godhead like a lighthouse in the darkness of the raging storm.

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

The radical Rabbi/Carpenter is also the “Christ” (v10). You do realize that Christ isn’t Jesus’ last name. He’s NOT the son of Joseph and Mary Christ. Christ is His title. It means the Anointed One. He’s anointed BY His Father. He’s anointed WITH the Holy Spirit (Lk 3:21-22). As the Anointed One, Jesus operates with all the power and authority of the Trinity. The title Christ is the NT equivalent of the OT Messiah. This is the long promised Hero to come out of the Jewish people and come to the world’s rescue. God first introduced the idea of Messiah just after the Fall (Gen 3:15). He builds on the covenant promise to people like Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; 17:1-8) and David (2Sam 7:9-17). 

As the Messiah/Christ, Jesus is the point of the entire Bible. In other words, Scripture tells just one grand story that some folks call the Metanarrative. Christ is THE Big Hero of the THE Big Story. Not Noah. Not Joseph. Not Moses. Not David. Not Solomon. They are each broken and flawed people in desperate need of a Savior just like you and me. 

Did you know that Jesus Himself said He was the Hero of God’s Story? He tells the religious elite how the Scriptures “bear witness about Me” (Jn 5:39). He goes on to say that when Moses wrote the first five books of the OT, “He wrote of Me” (Jn 5:46). If that’s not enough, the resurrected Jesus leads two dudes from Emmaus on what may be the greatest Bible study of all time. “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Lk 24:67). God’s Word shines the spotlight on Christ and Christ alone. 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Jesus doesn’t just bask in the limelight. He also “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (v10). Paul drops a word (Gr. katargeo) the ESV translates as “abolished.” It describes not just destruction but also a replacement by something better. One expert in the original language says it’s a nonphysical destruction by means of a superior force coming in to replace the force previously in effect, such as light destroying darkness. Did you catch that? “Such as light destroying darkness.” I see what he did there.

Just as light destroys the dark, Jesus brings “life” (v10) to destroy death. We’re talking about an exchange that’s a serious upgrade! As the folks on the Ginsu Knife commercials like to say, “And that’s not all!” This is no garden variety, run-of-the-mill, let’s-get-this-over, boring life. Christ made it totally clear that He came not only give us life but life that is lavish overflowing (Jn 10:10).

This incredible new life that Jesus brings isn’t some short-term deal either. He delivers “immortality” (v10). Once again, it’s a flashback to Christ’s midnight convo with Nicodemus. Whoever trusts in God’s Son will “not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). And Jesus brings His followers immortality, there’s no waiting. This is an eternal life that starts right here, right now!

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

We flip on the third switch of verse 10 here when Jesus “brought…to light” these blessings life and immortality. Paul uses another light word: photizo. It means to shine, enlighten, light up, or cause to fully understand by illumination. Jesus’ best buddy John says Christ is “the true light, which gives light (Gr. photizo) to everyone” (Jn 1:9). John also describes how when God eventually brings heaven to earth, “the glory of God gives it light (Gr. photizo)” (Rev 21:23). Once Jesus returns, we obviously won’t have to worry about which light bulbs to buy. 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

With all of the lights on, we can now see everything clearly and plainly. It all makes sense. Through Jesus, light wins and darkness loses. Through Jesus, life wins and death loses. In case you had any doubt, Paul lets us know it all went down “through the Gospel” (v10). “Gospel” is a word (Gr. euaggelion) that literally describes good news or a great message. It’s like finding out the best possible info via a push alert on your phone or a bulletin on TV. This just in! Jesus punches the lights out of sin and death for you and me and so we can spend eternity with Him. This is REALLY Good News! 

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Three supernatural light switches. As Paul flicks each one here in verse 10, the light of God defeats death and darkness each and every time. Click. Click. Click. That certainly makes sense. Sin loves the shadows. It hides in the darkness like the monster under your bed. It suddenly loses it’s power when the room fills with light. That’s VERY Good News! Check out the paraphrase in The Message. “But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus” (v10 The Message). 

Let God's light shine in you. Let God's light shine through you. Let Jesus' work on your behalf be obvious to those around you. There's a great song you may have sung as a kid that goes like this. "This little Light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." Great idea but there's just one little problem. It's not a little light. It's God's great big light. The Apostle Peter tells us that God made us His own so that we "may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1Pet 2:19). Don't hide your light or turn down the dimmer (Mt 5:15). Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

When God’s light shines, God’s light wins. Every. Single. Time.

Immortal. Inaccessible. Invisible. Invaluable. Inexhaustible.

“who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (1Tim 6:16).

Who’s the greatest? Sports fans continually debate the best team of all-time. The ’72 Dolphins or ’85 Bears. Who’s basketball’s G.O.A.T.? Who you got, Kareem or Michael? Marvel and DC fans fill the interweb with rants about the most powerful superheroes. 

According to the Apostle Paul there’s one Person so phenomenal, so staggering, so astonishing that there is zero doubt He’s the most breathtaking Being that’s ever existed in the universe. Check out His awesome qualities. Totally eternal and completely unkillable. Absolutely unapproachable. An appearance so dazzling you can never really see Him. Fame and reputation exceeded by no one. Unlimited and never-ending power. 

If you haven’t figured it out yet, Paul is talking about God. Specifically God the Father. In a letter to his spiritual son Timothy, the apostle reminds him of Whose team he’s on. Our Heavenly Dad “who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (v16). 

Paul wants us to remember exactly Who’s got out back when the chips are down. 

Think of the Father this way. The First Person of the Trinity possesses such mind-bending qualities that we can best describe Him by what he’s not. Immortal. Inaccessible. Invisible. Invaluable. Inexhaustible.

As with anything in the Bible, context is critical for this passage. Flip back the pages of history to the first century. Specifically, around 62 to 64 A.D. The scene is a church in a large port city of Ephesus on the west coast of what we know as Turkey. Paul planted this church on one of his legendary Mediterranean tours. A few years later, Tim is in the process of putting out a blazing doctrinal dumpster fire. 

After the apostle left town to tell others about Jesus, false teachers distracted folks in the Ephesian church from following Christ with a toxic stew of religious urban legends, limitless family histories, conspiracy theories, outright lies, and downright demonic doctrine (1Tim 1:4; 4:1-2). Paul began straightening out the mess but had a divine assignment over in Macedonia and put young Pastor Tim in charge (1Tim 1:3). 

This entire letter contains the apostle’s instructions and encouragement to his protege in Ephesus. What a great reminder that what we read in the Bible aren’t a bunch of fairy tales or mythical stories invented to inspire. The book we call 1st Timothy is a real letter to a real person in a real place facing real problems. Here in this verse, Paul wants Pastor Tim to get his eyes off the earthly problem and up on Great Big God. (Hint, hint. We should do the same.)

First of all, God “alone” (v16) is the only One who possesses these qualities. He’s unique. One of a kind. He slams the door on any other pretenders or contenders in the book of Isaiah, “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides Me there is no God” (Is 45:5). All of the qualities that follow are unique to God and God only. Think of it this way. He holds the exclusive divine copyright and trademark on all of them.

First of all, only God “has immortality” (v16). The Greek word here is athanasia, which literally means the “undeath.” It describes something or someone who has endless existence, everlasting, or undying. God is the one who never dies. He is the only one who always exists. Back when Moses stumbled on a supernatural brush fire, God tells the Big Mo that His name is in fact “the Great I Am” (Gen 3:14). The One who always was and always will be. He’s the Undeath.

He’s totally immortal.

Not only can you not kill Him, you can’t get anywhere near Him. He “dwells in unapproachable light” (v16). The word in the original language here (Gr. aproristos) simply means inaccessible. You’ve heard folks say, “Don’t go there!” (usually accompanied by a wagging finger and shaking head). Well, when it comes to God, it’s “Can’t go there!” 

God’s light is so incredibly intense that we can never get anywhere near Him. An expensive pair of Oakleys or Ray-Bans won’t help. Welders goggles aren’t enough. Or in the words of Smashmouth, you might as well be walking on the sun! You simply can’t get near Him. 

He’s absolutely inaccessible.

God’s blinding light is just one reason why “no one has ever seen or can see” (v16) Him. Paul uses a word (Gr. horao) that means so much more than laying your eyes on our Heavenly Father. He’s talking about not just observing but perceiving, understanding, and experiencing the physical presence of God. You can literally translate this phrase “no one has the power to experience Him.” 

Jesus tells a Samaritan divorcee how His Dad is “spirit” (Jn 4:24). Flip back to Exodus for the time Moses asks God for just a peak at His glory (Ex 33:18-23). Can’t do that, says Almighty God. Wouldn’t end well for any mortal man. Without some sort of supernatural protection, God’s holy presence is 100% fatal. You’re not seeing or experiencing God. The Father is so blindingly brilliant that you’re never catching a glimpse of Him. 

He’s completely invisible.

Paul says that as we stand in jaw-dropping awe of our Heavenly Father’s immortality, inaccessibility, and invisibility, “to Him be honor and eternal dominion” (v16). “Honor,” or the Greek word time’, means worth or value given someone or something. It’s the idea of reverence, respect, fame, or great price. Remember when Jesus Himself got the Rodney Dangerfield treatment back in Nazareth? “A prophet has no honor (Gr. time’) in his own hometown” (Jn 4:44). 

God’s value is completely off the charts. Jesus gives a two powerful illustrations comparing knowing God with buried treasure in a field and the most expensive pearl on the planet. He is priceless. He is precious. There’s nothing that comes close to His worth. 

He’s positively invaluable.

Ultimately, God the Father also has “eternal dominion” over the entire universe (v16). There are no term limits in heave. He’s always and forever in charge. And He’s no weak or wimpy ruler. He has what Paul likes to call kratos or “dominion.” This is incredible force, power, strength, or might. God has complete control and absolute authority.

The crazy thing is that He uses His supernatural power for those who place their trust in His Son. A few years back, the apostle told his Ephesian friends about “the immeasurable greatness of His power (Gr. kratos) toward us who believe” (Eph 1:19). Our Heavenly Dad has unlimited capacity. He’s the ultimate source of renewable energy.

He’s utterly inexhaustible.

So we’ve just described God who never dies, we can’t go near, who can’t be seen, who’s richer than Bill Gates and makes a nuclear reactor look like a AA battery. That’s all pretty awesome but, on the surface, doesn’t seem to do much for you and me. That’s exactly where Christ comes in.

Jesus made the immortal mortal so that I could live. The Son of God willingly gave up His life and tasted death so I don’t have to (Is 53:4-6; 2Cor 5:21).

Jesus made the inaccessible accessible so that I could come near. Because He faced temptation but never sinned, Jesus allows me to approach God’s unapproachable throne (Heb 4:15-16).

Jesus made the invisible visible so that I could see God. The Rabbi/Carpenter is “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). When the disciples asked Christ to show them His Dad, He says one look at the Son is exactly the same as looking at the Father (Jn 14:7). 

Jesus paid the invaluable price for my sin that cost Him everything. He willingly emptied His wallet to cover the expense of my rebellion with His precious blood that’s more valuable than any precious metal (1Pet 1:18-19). 

Jesus gives me the inexhaustible power of His grace that will never run out. His overwhelming strength is tailor-made for my underwhelming weakness (2Cor 12:9-10). His grace never runs out. Never. Ever.

It’s only through the Son that we can have a relationship with the Father. A Heavenly Dad who is immortal, invisible, inaccessible, invaluable, and inexhaustible. Because of that we can know, love, and worship the Greatest Being in the entire universe.