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14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you soon, 15 but [a]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how [b]one ought to conduct himself in (A)the household of God, which is the (B)church of (C)the living God, the (D)pillar and support of the truth. 16 And by common confession, great is (E)the mystery of godliness:

He who was (F)manifested in the flesh,
Was [c](G)vindicated [d]in the Spirit,
(H)Seen by angels,
(I)Proclaimed among the nations,
(J)Believed on in the world,
(K)Taken up in glory.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:15 Lit if I delay
  2. 1 Timothy 3:15 Or you ought to conduct yourself
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
  4. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or by

The Mystery of Godliness Described

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time. 15 But if I am delayed, I am writing[a] in order that you may know how one must conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay[b] of the truth. 16 And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness:

Who was revealed in the flesh,
    was vindicated by[c] the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
    was proclaimed among the Gentiles[d],
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:15 The words “I am writing” are not in the Greek text, but are an understood repetition from the previous clause
  2. 1 Timothy 3:15 Or “basis”; or “support”
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or perhaps “in”
  4. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or “nations”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context

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