14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but [a]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act 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 Beyond question, great is (E)the mystery of godliness:

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:15 Lit if I delay
  2. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or by

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly; 15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know [a]how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and [b]ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness;

[c]He who was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the spirit,
Seen of angels,
Preached among the [d]nations,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:15 Or, how thou oughtest to behave thyself
  2. 1 Timothy 3:15 Or, stay
  3. 1 Timothy 3:16 The word God, in place of He who, rests on no sufficient ancient evidence. Some ancient authorities read which.
  4. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or, Gentiles

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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit