676. aprositos

Lexical Summary

aprositos: Unapproachable

Original Word: ἀπρόσιτος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: aprositos
Pronunciation: ah-PRO-see-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ros'-ee-tos)
KJV: which no man can approach
NASB: unapproachable
Word Origin: [from G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and a derivative of a comparative of G4314 (πρός - against) and eimi "to go"]

1. inaccessible

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

which no man can approach.

From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of a comparative of pros and eimi (to go); inaccessible -- which no man can approach.

see GREEK a

see GREEK pros

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and a comp. of pros and eimi (to go)
Definition
unapproachable
NASB Translation
unapproachable (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 676: ἀπρόσιτος

ἀπρόσιτος, ἀπρόσιτον (προσιεναι to go to), unapproachable, inaccessible: φῶς ἀπρόσιτον, 1 Timothy 6:16 (Polybius, Diodorus (Strabo), Philo, Lcian, Plutarch; φέγγος ἀπρόσιτον, Tatian c. 20; δόξα (φῶς), Chrysostom (vi. 66, Montf. edition) on Isaiah 6:2.)

Topical Lexicon

Entry for Strong’s Greek 676 — ἀπρόσιτος (aprositos)

Divine Transcendence in 1 Timothy 6:16

The sole New Testament occurrence of ἀπρόσιτος appears in Paul’s doxology: “He alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; no one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:16). The term “unapproachable” sets God apart from every created being, underscoring His absolute otherness. The verse gathers four truths into a single burst of praise—immortality, unapproachable light, invisibility, and eternal sovereignty—thereby framing Christian theology of God’s holiness in unforgettable terms.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

Although ἀπρόσιτος itself is not in the Septuagint, the thought-world of “unapproachable light” pervades Scripture:

• Exodus 19:12-24: A boundary around Sinai kept Israel from breaking through to the LORD’s blazing presence.
• Leviticus 16:2: Even Aaron may not enter the Holy of Holies at will, “lest he die.”
• Psalm 104:2: God “wraps Himself in light as with a garment.”
• Isaiah 6:1-5: Seraphim veil themselves before the throne’s radiance.

These passages cultivate the sense that God’s presence is life-giving yet lethal to sin-marred humanity. Paul’s use of ἀπρόσιτος gathers this canonical witness into a single adjective.

Christological Fulfillment

Paradoxically, the same apostle proclaims that through Jesus Christ “we have boldness and access with confidence by faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:12). The incarnate Son bridges the chasm:
• John 1:14-18—“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son…has made Him known.”
• Hebrews 10:19-22—By His blood we “enter the Most Holy Place.”

Thus God remains essentially unapproachable in His naked glory, yet graciously approachable in His mediating Son. The tension safeguards reverence while nurturing intimacy.

Theological Themes

1. Holiness and Purity

The adjective intensifies the moral gulf between Creator and creature. Light symbolizes purity (1 John 1:5), so “unapproachable light” stresses sin’s incompatibility with God’s nature.

2. Sovereign Self-Existence

Attaching ἀπρόσιτος to divine immortality signals that God’s life is self-contained (John 5:26). Creaturely life derives; God’s life simply is.

3. Invisibility and Revelation

“No one has ever seen Him” connects ἀπρόσιτος to the doctrine of divine invisibility. God must act to reveal Himself; we cannot rise to Him by intellect or mysticism alone (Matthew 11:25-27).

4. Eschatological Vision

Although presently unapproachable, believers are promised the beatific vision: “They will see His face” (Revelation 22:4). The future sight will not contradict 1 Timothy 6:16 but will occur because resurrection glory will equip saints to endure what is now impossible.

Historical Reception

• Early Fathers (e.g., Gregory of Nyssa, Chrysostom) invoked 1 Timothy 6:16 when warning against speculative intrusion into divine mysteries.
• Medieval theologians contrasted the “lumen gloriae” (light of glory) granted to the blessed with the “lumen naturae,” echoing the text’s boundary.
• Reformers appealed to the verse to critique images of the divine essence, preserving the transcendence safeguarded by ἀπρόσιτος.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

1. Worship: The verse calls congregations to mingled awe and joy—awestruck at God’s majesty, joyful that Christ grants access.
2. Holiness: Ministry that trivializes sin dulls the sense of what makes God unapproachable; preaching should recover that edge (Hebrews 12:28-29).
3. Prayer: Confidence before the throne (Hebrews 4:16) must be balanced by reverent humility; ἀπρόσιτος supplies that counterweight.
4. Evangelism: Presenting God’s blazing holiness exposits humanity’s need for the gospel and elevates the grace that makes approach possible.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 676 crystallizes a thread woven through redemptive history: the God of Scripture is simultaneously infinitely distant in glory and graciously near in Jesus Christ. “Unapproachable light” guards His holiness; the cross opens the way. Holding both truths together fuels vibrant, reverent, and Christ-centered ministry.

Forms and Transliterations

απροσιτον απρόσιτον ἀπρόσιτον aprositon aprósiton

Englishman's Concordance

1 Timothy 6:16 Adj-ANS
GRK: φῶς οἰκῶν ἀπρόσιτον ὃν εἶδεν
NAS: and dwells in unapproachable light,
KJV: which no man can approach unto; whom
INT: in light dwelling unapproachable whom did see

Strong's Greek 676
1 Occurrence

ἀπρόσιτον — 1 Occ.