THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

Passage: 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Key verse: 3:16

NIV

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church(A) of the living God,(B) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(C) from which true godliness(D) springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,(E)
    was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,(F)
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.(G)

4 The Spirit(H) clearly says that in later times(I) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(J) and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(K) 3 They forbid people to marry(L) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(M) which God created(N) to be received with thanksgiving(O) by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,(P) and nothing is to be rejected(Q) if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God(R) and prayer.

Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Mystery of Godliness

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 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. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

(A)He[a] was manifested in the flesh,
    vindicated[b] by the Spirit,[c]
        (B)seen by angels,
(C)proclaimed among the nations,
    (D)believed on in the world,
        (E)taken up in glory.

Some Will Depart from the Faith

4 Now (F)the Spirit expressly says that (G)in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to (H)deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of (I)liars whose consciences are seared, 3 (J)who forbid marriage and (K)require abstinence from foods (L)that God created (M)to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For (N)everything created by God is good, and (O)nothing is to be rejected if it is (P)received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy (Q)by the word of God and prayer.

Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which
  2. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The greatness of Jesus (3:14-16)

Paul reminded Timothy of why he was writing. It was a gentle reminder that people ought to conduct their lives in a way that reflects who they are: the church of the living God. It is a mystery now made known: the appearance of Christ who came to heal the dead and godless world. Christ Jesus is the source of godliness and life for the world. Our conduct in the Lord is the expression of our faith in the greatness of the gospel of Jesus.

2. Everything God created is good (4:1-5)

We live in times where men abandon faith in Jesus and follow the teachings of hypocritical liars whose consciences are dead. An ascetic life is different from a godly life. All things are created by a good God, and everything God created is good. We depend on God alone for all things. In Jesus, he created us newly. He is all we need to be saved.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating a good world. Thank you for Jesus, my source of godliness and life.

One Word: Christ Jesus, our source of life