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.
Summary: Looking back at the whole passage allows us to consider what it really is.
Before we move on, let’s take a moment to look at this verse as a whole.
Paul doesn’t explain where this saying or poem came from or how it was used. At the time Paul was writing this, there was no “New Testament” as we know it today. Instead, they seem to have relied heavily on ‘word of mouth’ and the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s entire letter to Timothy is essentially a collection of instructions on how to run a church. The “sayings” provide foundational truths like “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) and “Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1).
This passage goes a bit further.
It sounds almost like a hymn or perhaps a creed. If it is a creed, a formal statement of beliefs, then it is quite complete. God’s Son becomes flesh, is vindicated, seen, preached, believed, and exalted. If you had to fit an explanation of what Christianity is all about on the back of a business card, it is hard to improve on 1 Timothy 3:16.
The only thing missing are the explanations Scripture gives of how it all works. Which raises the question, “What is needed to be saved?” Do you need to know what repentance is to repent? Does a person need to understand how sanctification works to be sanctified?
Or, is it all about Jesus?
Is the Scripture true that says “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”? (Romans 10:13, Joel 2:32)
Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Is it any more complicated than all that?
From the standpoint of an overseer, yes. They have to be able to discern the good from the bad. Much of what is in Paul’s letter to Timothy addresses this topic. Yet, when it comes to our faith in Jesus as individuals, is it about what we know or who we know?
Application: Trust in Jesus.
Food for Thought: From the standpoint of the average believer who is not a church leader or a theologian, what is the most important thing for them to know?
I took a slightly different approach to the question, I told myself what I needed to hear when I first started walking with Jesus. I don’t know if I would have listened to myself.
We can truly “Give it all to Jesus.” The good, the bad; the joy, the sorrow; our dreams, our disappointments. Nothing we give to Him will lessen His relationship with us, in fact, that is us stepping closer to Him. Faith and hope are alive in us, and really encapsulates selfless love in our motives, trusting in His way as we walk, and saying “yes” to the Holy Spirit. We are given the grace to be transformed into a life where faith and hope live in us. When we fail, Jesus is ready to hear our confession. Repentance opens the door to transformation. The Word of God contains the answers to every question about true life.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Thank you, Chris!
I like your approach. What you needed to hear has a lot in common with all of us need to hear.
From the standpoint of the average believer who is not a church leader or a theologian, what is the most important thing for them to know?
Jesus has left so the Holy Spirit could come and minister to all. Our Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby could come.
As believers we are to study our bibles with other believers, and listen to the Holy Spirit as He teaches Gods truths to us.
John 16:5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [and taken complete possession of them].
7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment:
9 about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message];
10 about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me;
11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.
Thank you, Ron!
You have boiled it down to the basics! Listen to God’s Word and his Holy Spirit!