The Mystery of Godliness

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come(A) to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,(B) which is the church of the living God,(C) the pillar and foundation of the truth.(D) 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness(E) is great:

He[a] was manifested in the flesh,(F)
vindicated in the Spirit,(G)
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed(H) on in the world,
taken up in glory.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:16 Other mss read God

The Truths of Our Faith

14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith[a]:

Christ[b] was revealed in a human body
    and vindicated by the Spirit.[c]
He was seen by angels
    and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
    and taken to heaven in glory.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:16a Or of godliness.
  2. 3:16b Greek He who; other manuscripts read God.
  3. 3:16c Or in his spirit.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church(A) of the living God,(B) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(C) from which true godliness(D) springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,(E)
    was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,(F)
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit