Note 5 at 1 Tim. 3:16: In 1 Timothy 3:16 we are looking at a first century confession of faith that many believe was sung as a hymn in the early New Testament church.

Paul begins with the statement, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness." "Without controversy" is the Greek adverb HOMOLOGOUMENOS that is derived from the Greek word HOMOLOGEO meaning "to agree with" or "confess."

"Great" means: of supreme importance and significance. The mystery of godliness is great, not because it is a riddle and cannot be known, but because it is hidden to the natural man and known only to believing hearts.

This mystery is what godliness is all about. Paul tells us that the secret is none other than Christ Himself indwelling us (Col. 1:27). It is not a philosophy, or a religion, but rather it is a person-Jesus Christ our Lord living in the heart of a believer.

Note 6 at 1 Tim. 3:16: This hymn (see note 5 at this verse) unfolds the mystery of Christ in six ways:

(1) "God was manifest in the flesh." This is referring back to the "living God" of verse 15. Jesus was God manifest in the flesh (Jn. 1:1, 14). "In the flesh" refers to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This is a direct reference to the deity of Jesus (see ref. j at this verse for a listing of notes on the deity of Christ). Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. This means Jesus became a human being. He ate, slept, bled and died as any other man does.

(2) He was "justified in the Spirit." "Justified" is the Greek verb DIKAIOO and means in this passage "to show, exhibit, evidence, one to be righteous" (Thayer). In other words, Jesus was declared righteous through the power of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by His works. ". . . no man can do these miracles. . .except God be with him" (Jn. 3:2). Jesus said, "Which of you convinceth me of sin?. . ." (Jn. 8:46). 1 Peter 2:22 states, "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth" (NIV). He was ". . .holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners. . ." (Heb. 7:26).

(3) He "was seen of angels." The Greek word for "seen" is OPTANOMAI and means "to look at, or behold" (Thayer). Jesus was constantly under observation. Angels were present at his birth (Lk. 2:9-11), temptation (Mt. 4:11), agony in Gethsemane (Lk. 22:43), at his tomb (Lk. 24:4-5), and watched with His disciples as He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:10).

(4) Christ was preached unto the Gentiles. This is another way of saying "the nations." God ordained that the gospel of Christ is for all men of all nations. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Mt. 24:14).

(5) "Believed on in the world." Everywhere that Christ is preached faith comes (Rom. 10:17), and new believers are added to the body of Christ.

(6) "Received up into glory," refers to the ascension of Jesus back into heaven after His resurrection (Acts 1:9-11). It also means that not only Jesus, but more will be taken up into heaven with Him. Christ's ascension testified that the Father had accepted His redeeming work fully.