1 Timothy 3:16

Without controversy. Literally, “by common consent.” Many commentators believe this verse refers to a well-known hymn of the earth church.

Mystery. See 1 Tim. 3:9; see on Rom. 11:25. “The mystery of godliness” (1 Tim. 3:15) is the basis for every hope and the source of all comfort.

Godliness. See on ch. 2:2. The triumph of God’s grace over the forces of evil in a man’s life will always be cause for wonder and gratitude.

God. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “he who.” The reference is clearly to Jesus, in and through whom the divine secret has been revealed.

Manifest. See on John 1:14.

In the flesh. Jesus Christ, though possessing “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (see on Col. 2:9), divested Himself of His heavenly prerogatives (see on Phil. 2:5-8) and lived in the sphere of men, even to the possession of a human body (see on 1 Tim. 2:5). For a discussion of Christ’s human nature see Vol. V, p. 917.

Justified. Gr. dikaiod, “to be declared righteous.” For a discussion of Christ as the “Just One” see on Acts 7:52. Christ was declared righteous because He was sinless (see on John 8:46). Men are declared righteous when they seek His imputed righteousness (see on Rom. 4:25).

In the Spirit. Or, “in spirit,” that is, with respect to spiritual things. The Saviour faced life with a spirit of complete dedication to the will of God, and it was this attitude that kept Him from sin. Christ came to be man’s substitute, and it was His record as a human being that proved God altogether just in His requirements and in His judgments.

See on angels. That is, every phase of Christ’s earthly life, from birth to resurrection and ascension, was viewed by the angels. They were witnesses to His perfection of character and utter selflessness (see Matt. 4:11; Luke 2:9-15; 22:43; Heb. 1:6).

Gentiles. That is, the nations, to whom the Lord Himself had commanded the apostles to go (see Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

Believed. Paul here chronologically traces the success of Christ’s mission from the incarnation to His favorable reception in the hearts of sincere men. Paul thus attests the rapid progress of the gospel into all the known world (see on Col. 1:23).

Received up. Gr. analamband. The same word is used in the ascension narrative (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:2, 11, 22).

Into glory. Literally, “in glory,” that is, the reception that welcomed Jesus when He ascended to heaven was glorious.