King James Version

What Does 1 Timothy 3:16 Mean?

1 Timothy 3:16 in the King James Version says “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen ... — study this verse from 1 Timothy chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 Timothy 3:16 · KJV


Context

14

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. ground: or, stay

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness (καὶ ὁμολογουμένως μέγα ἐστὶν τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον, kai homologoumenōs mega estin to tēs eusebeias mystērion)—'by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness.' Homologoumenōs means confessedly, admittedly, universally acknowledged. Mystērion is mystery—revealed truth. What follows is likely an early Christian hymn or confession about Christ:

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—This sixfold confession celebrates Christ's incarnation (manifest in flesh), vindication (justified in Spirit—His resurrection), angelic witness, global proclamation, worldwide faith, and ascension. Phaneroō (manifest) means revealed, made visible. Dikaioō (justified) means vindicated, declared righteous.

The 'mystery of godliness' is Christ Himself—God incarnate. This poetic confession summarizes the gospel: divine Son took flesh, died, rose vindicated by the Spirit, was witnessed by angels, proclaimed to nations, believed worldwide, and ascended in glory. This is Christianity's heart—not abstract philosophy but historical Person and events.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Early Christian worship included hymns and confessions summarizing core beliefs (Philippians 2:6-11, Colossians 1:15-20). This may be a liturgical piece the Ephesian church sang or recited. The sixfold structure (possibly originally three couplets in Greek) presents Christ's story from incarnation to ascension—the gospel in poetic form. These confessions served both worship and teaching, embedding theology in memorable forms.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is Christ Himself called 'the mystery of godliness'—how does He reveal godly living?
  2. How does this sixfold confession summarize the entire gospel story?
  3. What role do hymns and confessions play in teaching and reinforcing core Christian beliefs?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
καὶ1 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁμολογουμένως2 of 26

without controversy

G3672

confessedly

μέγα3 of 26

great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

ἐστὶν4 of 26

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τὸ5 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τῆς6 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εὐσεβείας7 of 26

of godliness

G2150

piety; specially, the gospel scheme

μυστήριον·8 of 26

the mystery

G3466

a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)

Θεὸς9 of 26

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐφανερώθη10 of 26

was manifest

G5319

to render apparent (literally or figuratively)

ἐν11 of 26

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

σαρκί12 of 26

the flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ἐδικαιώθη13 of 26

justified

G1344

to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent

ἐν14 of 26

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πνεύματι15 of 26

the Spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ὤφθη16 of 26

seen

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

ἀγγέλοις17 of 26

of angels

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

ἐκηρύχθη18 of 26

preached

G2784

to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)

ἐν19 of 26

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἔθνεσιν20 of 26

the Gentiles

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ἐπιστεύθη21 of 26

believed on

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

ἐν22 of 26

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

κόσμῳ23 of 26

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἀνελήφθη24 of 26

received up

G353

to take up

ἐν25 of 26

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

δόξῃ26 of 26

glory

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Timothy 3:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Timothy 3:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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