The “mystery of godliness” is a phrase found in 1 Timothy 3:16 that refers to the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God come in the flesh. It reads: “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (ESV). This verse packs a lot of theology into a succinct statement about who Jesus is and what He accomplished in His earthly ministry.
Let’s break down each phrase:
- “He was manifested in the flesh” – This affirms the incarnation, that Jesus is fully God yet took on human flesh and became a man. The divine Son of God took on humanity (see John 1:14).
- “Vindicated by the Spirit” – Most scholars take this to refer to Jesus’ resurrection by the power of the Holy Spirit, proving His deity (see Romans 1:4).
- “Seen by angels” – Angels were present at Jesus’ birth, His temptation, His agony in Gethsemane, and His resurrection and ascension. They were eyewitnesses to the majestic events of His life (see Luke 2:13-15; Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43; Acts 1:10-11).
- “Proclaimed among the nations” – This predicts the preaching of the gospel throughout the world, to both Jews and Gentiles (see Matthew 28:19-20).
- “Believed on in the world” – Though many rejected Jesus, many also trusted in Him as Lord and Savior just as the Scripture foretold (see Isaiah 53:1; Romans 10:17).
- “Taken up in glory” – Jesus ascended bodily into heaven in the presence of His disciples, to the right hand of God in glory (see Acts 1:9-11).
In summary, this verse encapsulates the good news of who Jesus is and what He came to do. He is the God-man, the Son of God in human flesh. His perfect life, atoning death for sins, resurrection, ascension, and future return in glory are all hinted at in this powerful verse. As Paul says, this truth about Jesus Christ is the core of “true godliness” and what the Christian faith is all about. It is the “mystery” or sacred secret now revealed to us by God in Scripture.
Jesus Christ, the God-Man
The fact that Jesus is fully God and fully man in one person is essential to the gospel message. By becoming human while remaining divine, Jesus is uniquely qualified to be the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). As Anselm of Canterbury famously stated in his 11th century work Cur Deus Homo, “He ought to be both, that he may be the Mediator between God and man, able to suffer death on account of his humanity, and able to overcome it on account of his righteousness.”
The Bible teaches Christ’s dual nature as God and man throughout. For example:
- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14)
- “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7)
- “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)
- “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law…” (Galatians 4:4)
Church history provides extensive theological reflection on how Christ can be fully divine and fully human at the same time. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD declared that Jesus is:
To be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son.
In summary, Christ possesses the full perfect nature of God and the full perfect nature of man in one hypostatic union. He is the unique God-man. This allows Him to represent both God and humanity perfectly as mediator and savior.
Christ’s Vindication through the Resurrection
A key event proving Jesus’ claims to deity was His resurrection from the dead. As Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:16, Christ was “vindicated by the Spirit” in His resurrection. Romans 1:4 similarly states that Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.”
The fact of the empty tomb, Christ’s post-resurrection appearances to over 500 eyewitnesses (1 Cor 15:3-8), and the dramatic change in the disciples after seeing the risen Lord bear unmistakable testimony that God approved and vindicated Jesus’ claims by raising Him from death. The resurrection set Him apart as fully divine. In raising Christ, God “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them” (Col 2:15).
Furthermore, Jesus predicted His death and resurrection multiple times during His ministry (Matt 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:18-19; Mark 8:31, 9:30-32, 10:32-34; Luke 9:22, 18:31-34). The fact that it happened just as He said it would provides further evidence that Jesus is the Son of God who speaks with absolute authority.
For these and other reasons, William Lane Craig concludes that “The resurrection of Jesus seems to be on firm historical ground, established by the evidence that has come down to us from the first Christian believers until today.” It remains a central pillar of the Christian faith.
The Ascension and Heavenly Reign
After Christ rose from the dead and appeared to many witnesses, He ascended bodily into heaven. Mark 16:19 states, “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” Luke 24:50-51 and Acts 1:9 also describe Jesus being taken up into heaven.
The ascension marked the completion of Christ’s earthly ministry. Theologian Wayne Grudem explains that it signified “the end of his earthly work and the beginning of his heavenly reign.” Jesus returned in triumph to the Father to reign as Lord of all (Eph 1:20-23). The ascension, like the resurrection, provides further evidence of Christ’s deity and exaltation.
Moreover, the ascension is important because it means Jesus is now actively interceding for believers before the Father as heavenly high priest: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25). Christ’s ongoing ministry of intercession for the saints implies His deity and lordship (Rom 8:34).
Believers thus have great assurance because their risen Lord is seated in glory at God’s right hand, having accomplished redemption for them. His ascension and heavenly reign highlight Christ’s divinity and centrality to the mystery of godliness.
Angelic Witnesses to Christ’s Life
1 Timothy 3:16 notes that Jesus was “seen by angels” during His time on earth. Scripture records angels being present at significant points in Christ’s life and ministry:
- His birth – The angel Gabriel foretold the birth of Christ (Luke 1:26-35). An angel announced His birth to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-15). A multitude of the heavenly host praised God at the news of His birth (Luke 2:13-14).
- His temptation – After Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, angels came and ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13).
- His agony in Gethsemane – As Jesus agonized in prayer, “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43).
- His resurrection – An angel rolled away the stone from the tomb (Matthew 28:2). Angels announced His resurrection to the women at the tomb (Matthew 28:5-7; Luke 24:5-7).
- His ascension – As the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven, two angels appeared and told them He would return in the same way (Acts 1:10-11).
The angels, as heavenly servants of God, were privileged witnesses to the climactic events of Christ’s life. Their presence demonstrates heaven’s vested interest in the Son of God come as savior of the world. It also confirms that Jesus’ life was of utmost importance in God’s plan of redemption.
The Proclamation of the Gospel to the World
An important part of the mystery of godliness is the spreading of the gospel throughout the world. 1 Timothy 3:16 notes Jesus was “proclaimed among the nations.” Though Jesus’ earthly ministry was focused on the Jews (Matt 15:24), He ultimately commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19). Jesus is the savior of both Jews and Gentiles alike (Rom 1:16).
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues to “Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia” (Acts 2:9). The gospel quickly spread beyond Judea and Samaria through the missions work of Peter, Paul, and others. Paul later affirmed that the gospel was “bearing fruit and growing in the whole world” (Col 1:6) and that it had been “proclaimed in all creation under heaven” (Col 1:23).
Jesus’ original followers turned the world upside down with the gospel message (Acts 17:6). Today, the global reach of Evangelical Christianity in particular testifies to the ongoing fulfillment of God’s plan to make disciples of “all nations” (Matt 28:19). The proclamation of Christ among all peoples of the world is central to the mystery of godliness.
Saving Faith in Christ
Those who place their faith in Christ receive eternal life and become partakers of the divine nature (John 3:16, 2 Peter 1:4). 1 Timothy 3:16 notes that Jesus was “believed on in the world.” His life, death, and resurrection not only accomplished salvation, but the message of that salvation has literally transformed countless lives over millennia as people embrace Him in faith.
Paul expresses amazement that the gospel is “bearing fruit and increasing in the whole world” (Col 1:6). In the book of Acts alone, thousands came to faith in Christ through the apostles’ preaching. The explosive growth of the early church through conversions to Christianity in the face of intense persecution testifies to the power of the gospel (Acts 17:6).
Saving faith in Christ rests on accepting His atoning death and sacrifice for our sins (Rom 3:22-26). As Paul told the Corinthians, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures…” (1 Cor 15:3).
Christianity has persisted to today because millions continue to find Jesus Christ worthy of wholehearted trust. The transformative power of His salvation through faith remains available to “everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). Faith in Christ is a central aspect of the mystery of godliness.
Implications for the Christian Life
What are the key implications of “the mystery of godliness” for how Christians should live? Here are a few thoughts:
- Worship Christ wholeheartedly as Lord – If Jesus is indeed fully God come in the flesh, He deserves our full worship and allegiance as Lord (Phil 2:10-11). We obey and serve Him.
- Proclaim the gospel – Since Christ was proclaimed throughout the world, we too should spread the good news of salvation in Christ (Matt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8).
- Have assurance of salvation – Believing in Christ, we share in His victory over sin and death. Our eternal destiny is secure in Him (1 John 5:13).
- Pray to Christ our mediator – Jesus serves as our great high priest who intercedes on our behalf before the Father (Heb 4:14-16). We can draw near to God through faith in Him.
- Wait eagerly for His return – We live with patience and hope until the glorious day when Christ will return as conquering king (Titus 2:13). The mystery of godliness will be consummated.
In all things, we are to live unto Christ – the God-man who accomplished our redemption (2 Cor 5:15). The mystery of godliness should compel us to renewed obedience and thanksgiving.
Conclusion
The mystery of godliness speaks to the extraordinary truth of Jesus Christ come as God in the flesh to save sinners. His incarnation, sinless life, atoning death, resurrection, ascension to glory, and future return all comprise the mystery God has revealed. This good news is now proclaimed throughout the world so that many may come to saving faith in Him.
Christians joyfully embrace Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man. We stand in awe of the gospel message. We worship Jesus as Savior and Lord, while anxiously awaiting His return when every knee shall bow. The mystery of godliness at the heart of the Christian faith gives us glorious hope and assurance.