Mystery; Godliness
Mystery: Godliness
Great is the mystery of godliness…1 Timothy 3:16
Mystery in the Bible is something that was once hidden but is now revealed. Paul explains, but we speak of the wisdom of God in a mystery, hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God, 1 Corinthians 2:7-10. A similar explanation is given in Ephesians 3:3-6.
Paul is now writing to Timothy about what he is to teach in Ephesus regarding deacons; 1 Timothy 3:9: holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. Now in Verse 16, Paul is including the mystery of godliness. Godliness means just that: piety towards God, holiness. Not as some want godliness to mean: religion or doctrine. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ brings forth godliness, not religious doctrine, 1 Timothy 6:3-5.
The mystery of godliness is what God did. 1 Timothy 3:16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed in the world, received up in glory. In other words, godliness comes from Jesus. The gospel is what Jesus did. God responds to our faith (believing in Jesus) by giving us godliness. The very righteousness of Jesus. Righteousness is a gift; not a reward of faith. But the result of faith.
Paul defines godliness in a six-stanza prose: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, The Word became flesh
justified in the Spirit, The Spirit proves Jesus is the Word
seen by angels, From birth to ascension, angels attested Jesus as Lord
preached among the Gentiles, And He still is preached
believed on in the world, And He is still believed
received up in glory. And He is still in glory—for the time being!
Meanwhile, Jesus is still imparting holiness to those who believe on His name. Like you!
