Daily Devotions
1 Timothy
"God was manifested in the flesh..."
Text: 1 Timothy 3:16
THE PERSONIFICATION OF GODLINESS
Paul presented the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in a very unique manner in 1 Timothy 3:16.
“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. “God was manifested in the flesh”
a) The deity of Christ Jesus was always upheld and defended.
b) Jesus was both God and Man at the same time.
2. “Justified in the Spirit”
a) The Spirit declared that Jesus was indeed the Perfect Son of God and Son of Man.
b) He was declared fully righteous in His own right.
3. “Seen by angels”
a) Angels attended to Him (Mark 1:13).
b) They bear witness of His divine and human attributes.
4. “Preached among the Gentiles”
a) Jesus personally preached to Israel.
b) His disciples went on to preach about Him as the Son of God to Israel.
c) This gospel ministry was extended to Gentiles.
i) All may come to full salvation in Christ Jesus the Lord.
ii) There is no distinction between Jew and Gentile in Christ.
5. “Believed on in the world”
a) This is a reference to the world at large.
b) Those who understood the message of the gospel of Christ believed in Him.
i) As the Saviour of mankind.
ii) As the Lord.
6. “Received up in glory”
a) This is a reference to the Ascension of Christ Jesus (Acts 1:9-11).
b) The Lord Jesus has returned to His Father in heaven.
c) He will one day return to Earth.
These are great truths. They are the chief tenets of the Gospel of Christ. Together they represent “the mystery of godliness”.