Paul the apostle wrote to
Timothy concerning the church in Ephesus where Timothy was to pastor.
Although Paul hoped to soon visit with Timothy, if he was delayed,
this letter would serve to help him know how “to behave”
himself “in the house of God, which is the church of the living
God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” As we end our study
of chapter three of Paul's letter to Timothy, he reveals more about
this “pillar and ground of the truth” as he shares about
“the mystery of godliness” in verse sixteen where we read:
And without controversy
great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world, received up into glory.
The verse begins, “And
without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:...” As
a continuation of Paul's words concerning how to conduct himself in
the church, Paul added, “And without controversy”
or “by consent of all and confessedly” “great”
which means “splendid, prepared on a grand scale and stately”
“is the mystery” which refers to the “hidden thing or
secret” “of godliness” or “reverence, respect and
piety towards God”. The “mystery of godliness” can be
summed up in one word, “Christ”, and Paul goes on to give six
actions that give proof to his determination.
The
verse continues, “...God
was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of
angels,...” The first action
presented by Paul was, “God” who
is “the Godhead and Trinity” “was manifest”
which means “to make manifest or visible or known what has
been hidden or unknown whether by words, deeds or in any other way”
“in the flesh” or “in a body”. The gospel of John in
chapter one and verse fourteen tells us:
And the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of
the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Jesus
Christ is the “word”
made or manifested in the flesh. The second action was, “justified”
which means “to show,
exhibit, evince, pronounce and declare one to be righteous” “in
the Spirit” which we noticed is capitalized and refers to “the
third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal and
coeternal with the Father and the Son”. Jesus Christ died for our
sins, was delivered through the resurrection, and was justified
before the Heavenly Father as a perfect sacrifice in our place. The
third action listed is “seen of angels” or “looked at
and beheld by “messengers and envoys from God”. The “angels”
worshipped him according to the book of Hebrews in chapter one and
verse six:
“And again, when he
brings in the first-begotten into the world,
he said, And let all
the angels of God worship him.”
This list would seem to be
enough, but Paul continued with three more.
The
verse continues, “...
preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up
into glory.” Paul, speaking of
Jesus, wrote that He was, “preached”
or “heralded and proclaimed” “unto the Gentiles”
which refers to “a multitude, tribe, nation, or people
group associated or living together” which is stated by Paul in the
book of The Acts of the Apostles in chapter thirteen and verse
forty-seven:
For so has
the Lord commanded us, saying,
I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles,
that you
should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Paul
continued with, “believed on”
or “persuaded, credited with, confident and entrusted” “in
the world” or among “the
inhabitants of the earth, men and the human family”. Though the
gospel was first sent unto the Jewish people, those within the world
“believed” upon Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Finally
the sixth action mentioned by Paul was that Christ was “received
up” or “taken, raised or carried” “into glory”
which refers to “splendor, brightness and majesty”. Jesus'
ascension into heaven after his resurrection exalted Him to the right
hand of God where he lives, makes intercession and has all power
given unto Him by the Heavenly Father.”
As we think through this
“mystery of godliness” mentioned by Paul, let us review
the list of actions one by one and remember that all of these were
done because the Heavenly Father desired to save mankind. Without the
motive of saving man, none of these actions would have been
necessary. However, because God loves us so much, He set forth each
of these activities of Christ. When we ponder these things, we can
understand why this is “a mystery” or wonder that God
would do so much for us. Our response should be one of humility,
reverence and praise as we consider the great and Almighty God and
His provision for our sins through Jesus Christ His Son. May we ever
praise His name from now to everlasting!
Next
time Paul begins a new chapter and shares concerning “the
latter times”, so read ahead,
and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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