TRUE 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

Paul hoped to come to the Ephesians soon. But even if he could not, he still wanted to let them know how to act in the church, for it is the foundation of the truth. The church community is so precious, and we must value it highly. The church is God’s household. For the church, Jesus became one of us, died and ascended, and sent down the Holy Spirit from heaven. The church built on the gospel extends to all the nations and reveals his glory. True godliness guides our lives according to the gospel truth and builds up the church.

Then Paul rebuked those who taught false teachings, which forbid people from eating certain foods and taught that marriage is sinful. These false teachers acted as if they practiced some extra way to godliness, but their ideas were against God’s truth and were influenced by demonic forces.

Paul taught them Genesis to plant the faith that all that God made was good. God also blessed man and woman with marriage as his chief blessing in the Garden. We must receive God’s blessings with thanksgiving. True godliness is not rejecting God’s blessings but accepting them with faith and gratitude.

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who truly makes us godly through his death and resurrection. Please help me to build up the church on the truth.

One Word: True godliness comes from believing in the gospel of Jesus and living for his glory