Great Is the Mystery of Godliness – 1 Timothy 3:14-16

Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:6 that the mystery of the gospel is “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”  Paul refers to this mystery in the hymn he quotes when he says Jesus is “proclaimed among the nations.”  How the church behaves is critical to how successful it is in proclaiming the gospel among the nations.

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.  (1 Timothy 3:14-16 ESV)

Paul states here in summary form the reason he has written Timothy and the church, and that is so that they would understand the household responsibilities they all have.  The church is God’s household, His family as it is comprised of those who have clear relationship to Him.  In every household there are “rules” of conduct.  Paul has been showing Timothy those “rules” in regards to doctrine and behavior.

The other metaphor Paul uses for the church is a pillar that supports a roof.  In this case the church is to support the truth of the gospel, as Paul has been saying.  Our responsibility is to maintain the purity of the gospel, the mystery of godliness as Paul describes it, and its proclamation.

As an aid to that Paul uses a Christian hymn that poetically describes the gospel.  Jesus is God manifested through a human nature.  The Holy Spirit vindicated or proved his special character by working miracles through him. Angels saw him as the Son of God and served him.  He has been made known to all nations, not just Israel, and many have believed.  He was resurrected and taken to glory from which he leads his church.