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Daily Devotions

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 
Day 
Day 55

"Great is the mystery of godliness..."

Text: 1 Timothy 3:16

THE WORD “MYSTERY”

The apostle Paul used the word “mystery” a number of times. Essentially the word “mystery” simply means “revelation of knowledge”. The word in the normal sense of the English language does not apply. The word must be understood from its theological perspective. Here is a short list of Paul’s use of the word “mystery”.

1. The mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:4)

2. The fellowship of the mystery (Ephesians 3:9)

3. The mystery of the faith (1 Timothy 3:9)

 

AN ADDITIONAL APPLICATION

In the following text, Paul employed and added a further application of the word “mystery”.

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.”

1 Timothy 3:16

 

1. “And without controversy”

a) This phrase translates an adverb in the Greek text (“homologoumenos mega”).
b) The NKJV translation is possible:- “without controversy”.
c) It simply means “undeniably”.
d) Understood literally, it means “a confession that is undeniable and great”.

 

2. What is this focus?

a) The key word here is “godliness”.
b) Ordinarily it is simply an abstract noun.
c) But in this particular context the focus is the Lord Jesus Christ who personifies “godliness”.

 

3. The Personification of true “godliness”

a) It is not merely an abstract idea.
b) Jesus is the living embodiment of true godliness.
i) An abstract idea is personified in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
ii) This is truly a mystery that is revealed by God.
iii) No one else can be spoken of as the personification of godliness.

Only the Lord Jesus Christ has been able to fully personify genuine and full godliness!