This “is” a glorious truth; and taken in all its bearings, and in reference to the views which then prevailed, and which have always more or less prevailed about the distinctions made among people by caste and rank, there is scarcely anymore glorious truth connected with the Christian revelation, or one which will exert a wider influence in promoting the welfare of man. The word “Spirit,” here, it is evident, refers to the Holy Spirit, because: (1) it is not possible to attach any intelligible idea to the phrase, “he was justified by his own spirit, or soul;”. The expressions which follow in this verse refer to God “as” thus manifested in the flesh; to the Saviour as he appeared on earth, regarded as a divine and human being. This clause is a very apt and full interpretation of the word "Moriah", the name of the mount in which Jehovah would manifest himself, and be seen, Genesis 22:2. To the Gentiles, therefore, he was proclaimed as having pulled down the middle wall of partition between them and the Jews; that, through him, God had granted unto them repentance unto life; and that they also might have redemption in his blood, the forgiveness of sins. Angelic beings look upon this with the deepest anxiety, though they have no personal interest in it; man, though all his great interests are concentrated on it, regards it as a fable, disbelieves it all, and treats it with contempt and scorn. Of course we must always be subject to the will of Christ in the things we do and say, but there is room for tradition and custom as well. The words thus contracted were designated by a faint line or dash over them. The directions given in this chapter concerning bishops and deacons should be carefully weighed by every branch of the Christian Church. 4. In like manner, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and his agency in the conversion of every sinner, prove the same thing, and furnish the grand argument in vindication of the Redeemer that he was sent from God. It was the fact that he thus appeared and sustained this character, which made the things which are immediately specified so remarkable, and so worthy of attention. God was manifest in the flesh - If we take in the whole of the 14th, 15th, and 16th verses, we may make a consistent translation in the following manner, and the whole paragraph will stand thus: Hoping to see thee shortly; but should I tarry long, these things I now write unto thee, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God. The same truth is abundantly taught elsewhere; compare, ho“which,” referring to “mystery;” for how could a mystery “be manifested in the flesh?” Nor could it it be. Before his coming, a wall of partition had divided the Jewish and Gentile world. hos“who,” unless that should refer to one who was more than a man; for how absurd would it be to say that “a man was manifested, or appeared in the flesh!” How else could a man appear? The closing verse of this chapter 1 Timothy 3:16 gives us a most elevated view of the plan of salvation. The question which has excited so much controversy is, whether the original Greek word was Θεὸς Theos“God,” or whether it was ὅς hos“who,” or ὁ ho“which.” The controversy has turned, to a considerable degree, on the reading in the “Codex Alexandrinus;” and a remark or two on the method in which the manuscripts in the New Testament were written, will show the true nature of the controversy. Justified in the Spirit - By the miracles which were wrought by the apostle in and through the name of Jesus; as well as by his resurrection from the dead, through the energy of the Holy Ghost, by which he was proved to be the Son of God with power. If, however, we take the word seen, in its Jewish acceptation, for made known, we may here retain the term angels in its common acceptation; for it is certain that previously to our Lord's ascension to heaven, these holy beings could have little knowledge of the necessity, reasons, and economy of human salvation; nor of the nature of Christ as God and man. But why is this regarded as so remarkable as to be mentioned thus? And then he proceeds to show what this mystery of godliness is, which he sums up in the six following particulars: The insertion of, Θεος for ὁς, or ὁς for Θεος, may be easily accounted for. The same truth is abundantly taught elsewhere; compare Matthew 1:23; John 1:14. TITLE: “THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS” OPEN: A. Scripture tells us: 1. Justified in the Spirit - That is, the incarnate person above referred to; the Redeemer, regarded as God and man. The Vulgate and the Syriac read it: “who,” or “which.” The Vulgate is, “Great is the sacrament of piety which was manifested in the flesh.” The Syriac, “Great is the mystery of godliness, that he was manifested in the flesh.” The “probability” in regard to the correct reading here, as it seems to me, is, that the word, as originally written, was Θεός Theos- “God.” At the same time, however, the evidence is not so clear that it can be properly used in an argument. The church is the guardian of the truth; 1 Timothy 3:15. A full investigation may be found in Wetstein. 1 Timothy 3:16. It is not the object of these notes to enter into the examination of questions of this nature. to God.” 2. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory. They are the support and foundation. How strange it is that “man” feels no more interest in these things! I examined this MS. about thirty years ago, and this was the conviction that rested then on my mind. But the passage is not “necessary” to prove the doctrine which is affirmed, on the supposition that that is the correct reading. (2) as the Holy Spirit performed so important a part in the work of Christ, it is natural to suppose there would be some allusion here to him; and. It is entrusted with the Bible, to preserve uncorrupted, and to transmit to distant ages and lands. The Christian religion has broken down the barrier among nations, and has proclaimed that all people may be saved; yet the mass of people look on this with entire unconcern. It was an event that was fitted to excite the deepest interest in heaven itself. St. Peter informs us that the angels desire to look into these things, 1 Peter 1:12. And it is to preserve the truth by the holy lives of its members, and to show in their walk what is the appropriate influence of truth on the soul. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to condense more interesting and sublime thought into so narrow a compass as this. Seen of angels - They were attendants on his ministry, and came to him in times of distress, peril, and want; compare Luke 2:9-13; Luke 22:43; Luke 24:4; Hebrews 1:6; Matthew 4:11. 1 Timothy 2 1 Timothy 4 1 Timothy 3:16 The Message (MSG) 14-16 I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I’m delayed, I’m writing this letter so you’ll know how things ought to go in God’s household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. Seen of angels - By αγγελοι here, some understand not those celestial or infernal beings commonly called angels, but apostles and other persons who became messengers, to carry far and wide and attest the truth of his resurrection from the dead. And, without controversy - Και ὁμολογουμενες· And confessedly, by general consent, it is a thing which no man can or ought to dispute; any phrase of this kind expresses the meaning of the original. 254ff The small, cursive Greek letters which are now used, were not commonly employed in transcribing the New Testament, if at all, until the ninth or tenth centuries. The true object is not to increase the “number” of ministers, it is to increase the number of those who are “qualified” for their work, and if a man has not the qualifications laid down by the inspired apostle, he had better seek some other calling. Believed on in the world - Was received by mankind as the promised Messiah, the Anointed of God, and the only Savior of fallen man. 1 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) 16 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. The blood of Christ was shed for all, and wherever a human being could be found, salvation might be freely offered him. Even those angelic beings have got an accession to their blessedness, by an increase of knowledge in the things which concern Jesus Christ, and the whole scheme of human salvation, through his incarnation, passion, death, resurrection, ascension, and glorification. Thus, πρ would be used for πατερ pater“father;” κς for κυριος kurios“Lord;” Θς for Θεος Theos“God,” etc. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. There is no “third” order. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness,.... What follows is so, the incarnation of Christ, his birth of a virgin, the union of the two natures, divine and human, in his person; this is a mystery, which though revealed, and so to be believed, is not to be discerned nor accounted for, nor the modus of it to be comprehended by reason: and it is a great one, next, if not equal, to the doctrine of a trinity of persons in the divine essence; and is a mystery of godliness, which tends to encourage internal and external religion, powerful and practical godliness in all the parts and branches of it; and is so beyond all dispute and doubt. What a thought! In this place, therefore, if the original uncials (capitals) were, Theos- “God.” At the same time, however, the evidence is not so clear that it can be properly used in an argument. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness, &c.] What follows is so, the incarnation … The apostle Paul in this chapter expressly designates the characteristics of those who should have charge of the church, but mentions only two, “bishops” and “deacons.” The former are ministers of the word, having charge of the spiritual interests of the church; the other are deacons, of whom there is no evidence that they were appointed to preach. It means to “vindicate,” and the sense is, that he was shown to be the Son of God by the agency of the Holy Spirit; he was thus vindicated from the charges alleged against him. FIRST TIMOTHY 3:16, IN CONTEXT. [26] (See however Apparat., p. 710, s.) [Ed. 3. This is a most striking part of the mystery of godliness, that one who was crucified as a malefactor, and whose kingdom is not of this world, and whose doctrines are opposed to all the sinful propensities of the human heart, should, wherever his Gospel is preached, be acknowledged as the only Savior of sinners, and the Judge of quick and dead! with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts. Why is there no mention of their qualifications? To me there is ample reason to believe that the Codex Alexandrinus originally read ΘΣ, God, in this place; but the stroke becoming faint by length of time and injudicious handling, of which the MS. in this place has had a large proportion, some person has supplied the place, most reprehensibly, with a thick black line. To ascertain which of these is the true reading, has been the great question; and it is with reference to this that the microscope has been resorted to in the examination of the Alexandrian manuscript. The Apostle Paul has reminded Timothy, whom he left in Ephesus, of the awesome possibilities of a church that exists in the midst of a pagan and sexually-degraded society. It is appointed to preserve it pure, and to transmit it to future ages. Not only the offices which are of Divine appointment, such as bishop, presbyter, and deacon, should be most religiously preserved in the Church; but, that they may have their full effect, the persons exercising them should be such as the apostle prescribes. Thus he descended on him at his baptism, Matthew 3:16; he was sent to convince the world of sin because it did not believe on him, John 16:8-9; the Saviour cast out devils by him, Matthew 12:28; the Spirit was given to him without measure, John 3:34, and the Spirit was sent down in accordance with his promise, to convert the hearts of people; Acts 2:33. 1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit,was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. And you also well know that God rescued me! Such a man would do more mischief on a farm, or in a workshop, or in a school, than all the good which he could do would compensate. This can be ascribed to nothing else but to the power of God, which went along with the ministry of the word. There is only one order of preachers in the church. 1 Timothy 3:16. The object of the apostle is to say that the truth which he was about to state admitted of no dispute. Keep the Message Alive 10-13 You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. This passage, therefore, should not be used to prove that there is anything unintelligible, or anything that surpasses human comprehension, in that doctrine, whatever may be the truth on that point; but that the doctrine which he now proceeds to state, and which had been so long concealed from mankind, was of the utmost consequence. This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our … Go to. 1-7 If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! The Jew had no special advantage for salvation by being a Jew; the Gentile was not excluded from the hope of salvation. Browse Sermons on 1 Timothy 3:16. This appears to have been the case in the Codex Alexandrinus, in this passage. Friend, this is probably how you have often heard this verse taught. Col. 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another. There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the … (3) as the “angels” are mentioned here as having been with him, and as the Holy Spirit is often mentioned in connection with him, it is natural to suppose that there would be some allusion to Him here. His reception into glory is of the utmost consequence to the Christian faith; as, in consequence, Jesus Christ in his human nature ever appears before the throne as our sacrifice and as our Mediator. In this place, therefore, if the original uncials (capitals) were Θ ¯C¯, standing for Θεὸς Theos“God,” and the line in the Θ , and the faint line over it, were obliterated from any cause, it would easily be mistaken for OC - ὅς hos- “who.”. Such is the difference between heaven and earth - angels and human beings! The plan of redemption was adapted “to man” as such - without regard to his complexion, country, customs, or laws.