Survey of the Letters of Paul:  1 Timothy 3:16

1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Let us begin our study of verse 16 in the Barclay Commentary...

A HYMN OF THE CHURCH

1 Timothy 3:16

As everyone must confess, great is the secret which God has revealed to us in our religion:

He who was manifested in the flesh:
He who was vindicated by the Spirit:
He who was seen by angels:
He who has been preached among the nations:
He in whom men have believed all over the world:
He who was taken up into glory.

THE great interest of this passage is that here we have a fragment of one of the hymns of the early Church. It is a setting of belief in Christ to poetry and to music, a hymn in which men and women sang their creed. We cannot expect from poetry the precision of statement for which we would look in a creed; but we must try to see what each line in this hymn is saying to us.

...the commentary is going to make six points here.  Each point is a part of the verse, which is paraphrased and indicated in red:

(1) He who was manifested in the flesh. Right at the beginning, it stresses the real humanity of Jesus. It says: ‘Look at Jesus, and you will see the mind and the heart and the action of God, in a form that everyone can understand.’

(2) He who was vindicated by the Spirit. This is a difficult line. There are three things it may mean.

(a) It may mean that all through his earthly days Jesus was kept sinless by the power of the Spirit. It is the Spirit who gives us guidance; our error is that we so often refuse the [unction of the] Spirit’s guidance. It was Jesus’ perfect submission to the Spirit of God which kept him without sin.

(b) It may mean that Jesus’ claims were justified by the action of the Spirit [which] dwelt in him. When Jesus was accused by the scribes and Pharisees of bringing about cures by the power of the devil, his answer was: ‘If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you’ (Matthew 12:28). The power that was in Jesus was the power of the Spirit [power of God through the Spirit], and the mighty acts which he performed were the evidence of the tremendous claims which he made.

(c) It may be that this is a reference to the resurrection. Jesus was taken and crucified as a criminal upon a [stake], but through the power of the Spirit he rose again; the verdict of those who killed him was demonstrated to be false, and he was vindicated. No matter how we take this line, its meaning is that the Spirit is the power [that] proved Jesus to be what he claimed to be.

Quoted verse:
Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

(3) He who was seen by angels. Again there are three possible meanings:

(a) It may be a reference to Jesus’ life before he came to earth.

(b) It may be a reference to his life on earth. Even on earth, the hosts of heaven were looking on at his tremendous contest with evil.

(c) It may connect with the belief of everyone in the time of Jesus that the air was full of demonic and angelic powers. Many of these powers were hostile to God and to human beings, and set on the destruction of Jesus. Paul at least once argued that they were intent on the destruction of Jesus through ignorance, and that Jesus brought to them and to men and women the wisdom which had been hidden since the world began (1 Corinthians 2:7–8). This phrase may mean that Jesus brought the truth even to the angelic and demonic powers who had never known it. However we take it, it means that the work of Jesus is so tremendous that it includes both heaven and earth.

Quoted verse:
1 Corinthians 2:7-8
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

(4) He who has been preached among the nations. Here we have the great truth that Jesus was not the exclusive possession of a particular race or nation. He was not the Messiah who had come to raise the Jews to earthly greatness, but the Saviour of the whole wide world.

(5) He in whom men have believed all over the world. Here is an almost miraculous truth stated with utter simplicity. After Jesus had died and risen again and ascended to his glory, the number of his followers was 120 (Acts 1:15). All that his followers had to offer was the story of a Galilaean carpenter who had been crucified on a hilltop in Palestine as a criminal. And yet, before seventy years had passed, that story had gone out to the ends of the earth, and men and women of every nation accepted this crucified Jesus as Saviour and Lord. In this simple phrase, there is the whole wonder of the expansion of the Church, an expansion which by any human standards is incredible.

(6) He who was taken up into glory. This is a reference to the ascension. The story of Jesus begins in heaven and ends in heaven. He lived as a servant; he was branded as a criminal; he was crucified on a cross; he rose with the nail prints still upon him; but the end is glory. ~Barclay Commentary

Now to the other commentaries.

And, without controversy - Undeniably, certainly. The object of the apostle is to say that the truth which he was about to state admitted of no dispute. ~ Barnes Notes

Great is the mystery - What follows is so, the incarnation of Christ, his birth of a virgin, the union of the two natures, divine and human, in his person; this is a mystery, which though revealed, and so to be believed, is not to be discerned nor accounted for, nor the modus of it to be comprehended by reason: and it is a great one ~John Gill [edited]

Of godliness - The word “godliness” means, properly, piety, reverence, or religiousness. It is used here, however, for the gospel scheme, to wit, that which the apostle proceeds to state. This “mystery,” which had “been hidden from ages and from generations, and which was now manifest” Colossians 1:26, was the great doctrine on which depended “religion” everywhere, or was that which constituted the Christian scheme. ~ Barnes Notes

Quoted verse:
Colossians 1:26
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

God, actually, He who (hos). The correct text, not theos (God) the reading of the Textus Receptus (Syrian text) nor ho (neuter relative, agreeing with mustērion) the reading of the Western documents. Westcott and Hort print this relative clause as a fragment of a Christian hymn (like Ephesians 5:14) in six strophes [stanzas]. That is probably correct. At any rate hos (who) is correct and there is asyndeton (no connective) in the verbs. Christ, to whom hos refers, is the mystery (Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2). ~Robertson's Word Pictures

Quoted verses:
Ephesians 5:14
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

The commentary says "and arise from the dead": living saints are sometimes among dead sinners, and it becomes them to arise from among them, and quit their company. ~John Gill

Colossians 1:27
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Was manifest - Margin, “Manifested.” The meaning is, “appeared” in the flesh. ~ Barnes Notes

In the flesh - In the form of a servant, the fashion of a man, for three and thirty years. ~John Wesley Notes

Justified in the Spirit - Justified in the spirit - First aorist passive indicative of dikaioō, to declare righteous, to vindicate. Christ was vindicated in his own spirit (Hebrews 9:14) before men by overcoming death and rising from the dead (Romans 1:3.). ~Robertson's Word Pictures

Quoted verses:
Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Romans 1:3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Seen of angels - They were attendants on his ministry, and came to him in times of distress, peril, and want; compare Luke 2:9-13; Luke 22:43; Luke 24:4; Hebrews 1:6; Matthew 4:11. They felt an interest in him and his work, and they gladly came to him in his sorrows and troubles. The design of the apostle is to give an impressive view of the grandeur and glory of that work which attracted the attention of the heavenly hosts, and which drew them from the skies that they might proclaim his advent, sustain him in his temptations, witness his crucifixion, and watch over him in the tomb. The work of Christ, though despised by people, excited the deepest interest in heaven; compare notes on 1 Peter 1:12. ~ Barnes Notes

Quoted verses:
The first five speaking to angels on earth and seeing to Jesus:
Luke 2:9-13
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Luke 22:43
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

Luke 24:4
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

Hebrews 1:6
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Matthew 4:11
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

1 Peter 1:12
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Preached unto the Gentiles - This is placed by the apostle among the “great” things which constituted the “mystery” of religion. The meaning is, that it was a glorious truth that salvation might be, and should be, proclaimed to all mankind, and that this was a part of the important truths made known in the gospel. Elsewhere this is called, by way of eminence, “the mystery of the gospel;” that is, the grand truth which had not been known until the coming of the Saviour; see the Ephesians 6:19 note; Colossians 1:26-27; Colossians 4:3 notes. Before his coming, a wall of partition had divided the Jewish and Gentile world. The Jews regarded the rest of mankind as excluded from the covenant mercies of God, and it was one of the principal stumblingblocks in their way, in regard to the gospel, that it proclaimed that all the race was on a level, that that middle wall of partition was broken down, and that salvation might now be published to all people; compare Acts 22:21; Ephesians 2:14-15; Romans 3:22; Romans 10:11-20. ~ Barnes Notes

Quoted verses:
Ephesians 6:19
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Colossians 1:26-27
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Colossians 4:3
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Acts 22:21
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

Ephesians 2:14-15
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 10:11-20
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

The Jew had no special advantage for salvation by being a Jew; the Gentile was not excluded from the hope of salvation. The plan of redemption was adapted “to man” as such - without regard to his complexion, country, customs, or laws. The blood of Christ was shed for all, and wherever a human being could be found, salvation might be freely offered him. This “is” a glorious truth; and taken in all its bearings, and in reference to the views which then prevailed, and which have always more or less prevailed about the distinctions made among people by caste and rank, there is scarcely anymore glorious truth connected with the Christian revelation, or one which will exert a wider influence in promoting the welfare of man. It is a great privilege to be permitted to proclaim that all people, in one respect - and that the most important - are on a level; that they are all equally the objects of the divine compassion; that Christ died for one as really as for another; that birth, wealth, elevated rank, or beauty of complexion, contribute nothing to the salvation of one man; and that poverty, a darker skin, slavery, or a meaner rank, do nothing to exclude another from the favor of his Maker.  ~ Barnes Notes

Believed on in the world - This also is mentioned among the “great” things which constitute the mystery of revealed religion. But why is this regarded as so remarkable as to be mentioned thus? In point of importance, how can it be mentioned in connection with the fact that God was manifest in the flesh; that he was vindicated by the Holy Spirit; that he was an object of intense interest to angelic hosts, and that his coming had broken down the walls which had separated the world, and placed them now on a level? I answer, perhaps the following circumstances may have induced the apostle to place this among the remarkable things evincing the greatness of this truth:

(1) The strong “improbability” arising from the greatness of the “mystery,” that the doctrines respecting the incarnate Deity would be believed. Such is the incomprehensible nature of many of the truths connected with the incarnation; so strange does it seem that God would become incarnate; so amazing that he should appear in human flesh and blood, and that the incarnate Son of God should die, that it might be regarded as a wonderful thing that such a doctrine had in fact obtained credence in the world. But it was a glorious truth that all the natural improbabilities in the case had been overcome, and that people had accredited the announcement.

(2) the strong improbability that his message would be believed, arising from the “wickedness of the human heart.” Man, in all his history, had shown a strong reluctance to believe any message from God, or any truth whatever revealed by him. The Jews had rejected his prophets and put them to death Matthew 23; Acts 7; and had at last put his own Son - their Messiah - to death. Man everywhere had shown his strong inclination to unbelief. There is in the human soul no elementary principle or germ of faith in God. Every man is an unbeliever by nature - an infidel first; a Christian afterward; an infidel as he comes into the world; a believer only as he is made so by grace. The apostle, therefore, regarded it as a glorious fact that the message respecting the Saviour “had been” believed in the world. It overcame such a strong and universal reluctance to confide in God, that it showed that there was more than human power in operation to overcome this reluctance.

(3) the extent to which this had been done may have been a reason why he thought it worthy of the place which he gives it here. It had been embraced, not by a few, but by thousands in all lands where the gospel had been published; and it was proof of the truth of the doctrine, and of the great power of God, that such high mysteries as those relating to redemption, and so much opposed to the natural feelings of the human heart, should have been embraced by so many. The same thing occurs now. The gospel makes its way against the native incredulity [disbelief] of the world, and every new convert is an additional demonstration that it is from God, and a new illustration of the greatness of this mystery. ~ Barnes Notes

Received up into glory - To heaven; compare John 17:5; see the notes on Acts 1:9. This is mentioned as among the “great” or remarkable things pertaining to “godliness,” or the Christian revelation, because it was an event which had not elsewhere occurred, and was the crowning grandeur of the work of Christ. It was an event that was fitted to excite the deepest interest in heaven itself. No event of more importance has ever occurred in the universe, of which we have any knowledge, than the re-ascension of the triumphant Son of God to glory after having accomplished the redemption of a world. ~ Barnes Notes

Quoted verses:
John 17:5
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Acts 1:9
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  ~ Barnes Notes

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