“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.” – 1 Timothy 3:16

We find this unusual and compelling verse amid the instruction to pastor and preacher Timothy. It’s complex and rich, full of the revelation of Christ but put in simple terms that we’ll examine to find the depth of purpose in this writing. There are many verses we won’t use for length of post considerations. Perhaps you’ll think of some related verses.

This verse is oddly placed between the teaching of what makes a qualified bishop or deacon in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and before a prophetic warning in chapter 4 about some who shall depart from the true faith to chase fables forbidding that which is lawful in the New Covenant.

There are many verses like this in Scripture; God gives us a foundation upon which our faith is built, reminding us who we are supposed to worship and what happened that brought in the New Covenant. The Old Testament Jews were constantly reminded of how God brought them out of Egypt. God did this so that they might not stray. Some verses in the New Testament are designed to summarize and remind us of the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the destruction of the Old Covenant, Christ’s current office, our duties in the body, and His return.

It’s indeed a Gospel verse. It begins:

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness”

One of the remarkable things about this verse is there’s no claim as to a lack of controversy over the mystery of godliness. Well, that might seem odd. Millions have been slaughtered for the name of Jesus; nations and empires have fallen, and risen, and fallen again upon His word. Jesus is by far the most controversial name in history. It’s reviled, spit at, laughed at, ignored, used as a cuss, and railed against, and those that claim it are treated upon the scale from pity to murderous rage. But, it’s believed on, called upon, depended upon, glorified, and sought both in the light and in the depths of darkest despair by those coming to the awareness of Christ and God’s sainted believers.

Keep in mind that in Bible terms, the word mystery means being revealed. It does not mean some hidden thing or strange understanding that only the learned, priest or a mystic can proclaim. The Bible explains each mystery it shows; it’s a book of revelations. The Bible is the only and best source for finding the answer to every mystery within its pages. Everything the Bible proclaims, it also demonstrates. Every Law is also exemplified.

The first phrase doesn’t say that there’s no controversy about Jesus Christ; it says there’s not a controversy that the mystery of Christ is great. That simple fact is incontrovertible. The revelation of the Son of God is indeed great. So too, is the manner in which God forges His followers upon the trials of faith and service, regenerating them into the likeness of Christ and further purifying their hearts with each refining.

The revelation of godliness is so great that millions have died, age after age, in every land on earth to bring it to fruition. Nobody can deny it. To the believer and unbeliever alike, the faithful and the heathen, the wise and the simple, the religious and spiritual, there is no controversy that the mystery of God is great and captivating, causing the full range of emotions in believers and unbelievers alike.

All have wondered at the notion of God. We were built that way; to seek Him and to know Him. Though most admire the mystery of His creation, why do they not marvel at Him; why do they not pursue? This is the mystery revealed by our sin.

What is godliness? When we first set out to teach this some time ago, searching the Holy Bible for a definition of godliness proved difficult. Having learned much since then, we see it hinted at in places. An online dictionary defines it thusly: “The character or quality of being godly; conformity to the will and law of God; piety.” Conformity to the will and Law of God is not a terrible description.

To have the character and qualities of being Godly, one must know God, be like God, and follow God by keeping His Law-word while seeking His will. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us to “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

That’s an immense undertaking, a lifetime pursuit of allowing the Holy Spirit of God to transform you into a son of God, in His likeness (Romans 8:29). It’s easy to see an ungodly person or thing, but blessed be the man that shows himself to be God’s man in all things (1 Peter 1:16).

We learn in 1 Timothy 3:12, just before our topic verse, that all who live godly shall suffer persecution. After our verse, 1 Timothy 4:8 says in part: “godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Godliness is profitable that it may go well with us now and reap the blessings of God’s rewards in eternity. And We find in 2 Peter that we ought to be holy in all conversation (all we show outwardly) and godliness.

The first Psalm provides a satisfactory definition of godliness as well. We are to be godly that whatsoever we do will prosper.

“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” – Psalm 1:1-3

And what better than for all men to delight in the Law of the Almighty, seeking the face of the Lord, praying without ceasing, bringing forth good fruit, laying up treasures in heaven, and always going about to please the one that saved you and gave you the promise of life now and eternity to come: indeed, without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness.

After that introductory phrase, the text takes a shift. Though we’ve searched the Scriptures for an adequate definition of godliness, we take this verse as self-defining about the mystery and godliness, for there is nothing hidden; all is brought to light by God to those that love Him.

The great mystery from before time and through all ages, evident in creation, hinted at and pointed to within God’s holy word arrived in the flesh as John Baptist declared; “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” If you want to know godliness, look to Christ, for He is God.

“God was manifest in the flesh”

The phrase here starts the revelation of the mystery by defining the life and work of Jesus Christ; God in man. And what a great mystery, Christ was prophesied to be a man, born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Malachi points to His arrival in chapter 3 and verse 1. And as the time drew near (Matthew 1:23), God, as He’s always done, delivered upon His promise.

God was in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19, John 14:10-11); what more straightforward statement than “I and my Father are one.” – John 10:30. We take the virgin birth as sufficient. Christ is the deity in the flesh, having the pure and perfect blood of the Father. The Scripture is fulfilled from Genesis forward up to the virgin birth. The immaculate blood of Christ (God in flesh) is sufficient for the remission of sin. Jesus is the Son of God, and God the Son.

Also, see Isaiah 53:2-5.

What a thing that Holy God would have you to know that Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He was stricken and smitten, tortured to death for your sin, but He had done no wrong and knew no sin. We supposed it correct to point out that He rose from the grave again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), showing Himself among many witnesses, and to Thomas, the holes in His hands and side were still there (John 20:27-28). Having power from the Father to lay down His life and take it up again: God was manifest in the flesh.

“justified in the Spirit”

Jesus is the incarnate Word, the Spirit in flesh. Not simply was the Scripture fulfilled when Christ arrived, but the Word was justified becoming God in flesh; in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (John 1:14, Colossians 2:9).

This is the most difficult of all the phrases in this verse. Jesus is justified in the Spirit. He didn’t become Christ after the Holy Spirit alighted upon Him in the form of a dove. He was always God the Son. The build of the dove was so that John Baptist, and you, by his recorded testimony in the book of John, might know that this same Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and Christ (John 1:32-33).

How can the unjust justify? The notion that Jesus was not Christ until His baptism by John is erroneous. His mother (Luke 1:30-35) and her husband (Matthew 1:18-21) were both told. Simeon in the temple saw Jesus as a personal fulfillment of prophecy and global fulfillment for the salvation of His people (Luke 2:25-32) – Daniel’s 70 weeks were coming to their end – Jesus arrived right on time according to the Scriptures. John leapt in the womb (Luke 1:41-42) and knew that Christ was among them before he saw the image of a dove (John 1:26-27). Jesus taught the Pharisees at 12 years old (Luke 2:46-47).

The triune God is One (1 John 5:7 and John 1:1-3). What will those that deny His deity say when they see him? Well, nothing; they’ll be flat on their faces, speechless, scared out of their minds. Here’s what a true believer and His best friend on earth did when he saw Christ: Revelation 1:17.

Still, we admit this is one of the most complex things to understand anywhere in Scripture. It’s much easier to accept by faith for a believer, but the Godhead is often a sticking point for the lost man trying to understand who and what God is. Those who don’t believe will know what Just is when they see face-to-face He who justifies.

Shifting gears, we’ll examine some aspects of this more.

“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession” – 1 Timothy 6:13

Not that Christ needed any justification by men, but Pontius Pilate found Him not guilty of the things the Jews charged. Jesus committed no offense, and in this, He was justified in all He did and said.

“And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.” – Luke 23:3

Also, we’ll say that Pilot found no fault with Jesus, even after Jesus essentially told Pilot that he himself knew Christ was the King of the Jews.

Jesus was justified at His trial, but the Jews would hear none of it and thrice asked, with increasing vehemence, that Jesus be crucified. Jesus was found not guilty, justified as God in the flesh, and just according to the Spirit as recorded in the word of God. Jesus was justified in all He did and now does; the guilt of His death, therefore, is upon the Jews.

He swears His covenants by Himself since there is none higher; it’s important to note that it’s God who justifies Himself; He needs no man for this. Indeed, being sinners, none can justify God or Christ.

Being the Son of God, He thought it not robbery to be equal with God (Philippians 2:6). Jesus, doing miracles, teaching, and preaching, all in the spirit of truth, operated as the finger of God (Luke 11:20).

But we think Pentecost also provides a sure clue.

Note: see Joel 2:28-32, Matthew 24:29-30, and Acts 2:16-21 together. Jesus was justified in the Spirit for destroying Jerusalem.

The Apostles did err at times, and some had a season of doubt. Still, the Holy Spirit was sent to lead, guide, and direct them into all truth (John 14:17, John 16:13). The arrival of the Holy Spirit justified all of Jesus’ life and ministries, being the Son of man and the Son of God. What surer evidence than the Holy Spirit sent from God fulfilling Christ’s promise of power from heaven?

“16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Acts 2:16-21

When the Spirit was poured out from the Father, Peter was reminded by the Spirit of Joel 2:28-32 and the end of the Old Covenant and the birth of the New Covenant. This is, in part, what Christ spoke of in Matthew 24:29-30. The period from Pentecost through Jerusalem’s destruction fulfilled Joel’s prophecy, justifying Christ by the Spirit as the rightful heir of all things and the Judge of the quick and the dead, great High Priest, for a better covenant. The New Covenant, which was sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, was brought in; the Old Covenant necessarily passed away.

“seen of angels”

Angels announced the birth of Christ (Luke 2:9-14), attended to Christ after the temping (Mark 1:13), in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), at His resurrection (Matthew 28:5-6), and at His ascension to the right hand of Power (Acts 1:10). And see Hebrews 1:6.

Angels were very involved in the ministry of our Lord. Though Christ was despised by mighty men and those wise in their conceit (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), all of heaven was keenly interested in this most important (so far, He’s coming back) of days in all of human history.

Some are interested in angels. We thank the Father for His angels, but more so, we thank God for His messages delivered by them. However, studying angels in the Bible has never been a priority. But they’re often in Scripture pointing to the power of God and delivering the message of hope in Christ to His people. If one were to study them, look for their announcements more than any other aspect, for God’s promises and plan are in the messages.

“preached unto the Gentiles”

Jesus healed a Gentile Roman Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13). Somebody told the centurion, or he witnessed Jesus’ ministry, but most importantly, he believed. Jesus said of him: “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

After receiving the Holy Spirit, later in Acts 15, Peter was called upon to preach unto the Gentile Cornelius in Acts 10:34-44.

Also, in Acts 15, a sect of the Pharisees (Judaizers) claimed the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. Peter explains that this is not so.

“6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” – Acts 15:6-11

The preaching of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ by His death, burial, and resurrection has gone out to all men. And in Romans 11:13, Paul claims the office of the “Apostle of the Gentiles.”

The mystery of godliness in the Gospel has even been preached unto the Gentiles on TCJ: here, here, here, and others.

“believed on in the world”

“9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” – 1 John 5:9-10

Either you believe in Jesus Christ, or you don’t. We that believe have the witness in us and do testify that these things are so: 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. This is the record; God has given us eternal life in Jesus Christ by belief through faith in His finished work on the cross.

Excerpt from Walking Dead Man:

“11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” – John 3:11-12

“There is murder, war, adultery, child trafficking, and on and on the list of grievous sins could go. From the earliest days of history, Holy God has sent many witnesses into the world to testify of the things they have seen and heard of God. Jesus says if you can’t hear of the earthly things, how shall you believe the heavenly things? If you won’t believe that God made you in the first place, how will you believe He can make you anew by His Spirit?”

“1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” – Hebrews 1:1-3

God, in these last days, has spoken unto us by his Son, and we heard.

We believe all men are sinners born that way by inheritance of sin from the first man, Adam. We believe that all men are sinners, and because of sin, all men are appointed once to die, then to stand in judgment before God Almighty. We believe that death and wrath abide on all men because of their sin; this wrath is outer darkness, eternal torment, hell, and burning alive. We believe and do know that under our own power, we cannot cease from sin, that the consequences of sin are eternal damnation, that following the Law cannot save anybody’s soul from death and eternal torment, and that no amount of appeasement toward God Almighty or good works on our part could save us. Man is totally depraved, and without God, he is lost forever, having no power on his own to save himself.

But we believe and do know that “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Having been the enemy of the Almighty, Christ made peace between God and us by His literal bodily blood sacrifice on a cross at a place called Golgotha in Israel just outside the city gates of Jerusalem some 2000 years ago. That same Jesus was and is the Christ of God. And He was buried in a never before used tomb owned by one Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent man. And we believe that this same Jesus Christ rose from the dead again the third day and was seen by apostles and other eyewitnesses over a 40-day-long period, including being seen and spoken with in the presence of 500 brethren at once. Christ was alive again in power and glory, teaching and preparing His men for the birth of the New Covenant by the Holy Spirit that would come into them. Then, also witnessed by many, He ascended into a cloud out of sight and, still today, is seated in judgment at the right hand of Majesty in heaven.

This same Jesus, the Christ, is the highest Judge and final authority in all things. We believe He is ruling and reigning in heaven and earth in the affairs of men and nations until His literal bodily return, the day of which no man knows, but you must be ready for that final day when He will judge the quick and the dead.

After His resurrection and ascension, He sent the destructive forces of the first-century Roman Empire against the temple and Jerusalem in 70AD to show that the Old Covenant temple worship system was completed in Him, ending it once for all.

We know and testify that He has forgiven us our sins and saved us from the wrath of God, death, and hell, having, by His grace, given us eternal life. And we do testify that if any would believe in the power of God to forgive you of your sin and save your immortal soul through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning death, burial, and resurrection, Holy God is faithful to forgive your sin and save your soul. You, too, can enter into the New Covenant by Christ’s blood having life everlasting in heaven with Holy God.

We further believe and do know by the Holy Spirit in us that the real Holy Bible is the perfect, inspired Word of God, holy and inerrant, the words of God to all men, given by Him that you might know Him and His mind toward you.

“received up into glory”

“7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:7-11

All that Christ has done, in our topic verse, is the revelation of the mystery to man, showing evidence in abundance that they might be brought back from their course toward hell and made one with Christ in God.