1 Timothy 3:16
What does 1 Timothy 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 3:16 means
Paul concludes with a confession: great indeed is “the mystery of godliness.” Its substance is Christ. He was manifested in the flesh—God’s Son truly became man. He was justified in the spirit—vindicated by the Spirit’s power, supremely in resurrection. He was seen by angels—Heaven recognized and attended His mission. He was preached among the nations—the gospel is for all peoples. He was believed on in the world—He saves and gathers a global church. He was received up in glory—exalted to the Father’s right hand. Godliness springs from this gospel; the church lives holy lives because it holds fast to Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety--God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And evidently great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And confessedly the mystery of piety is great.God has been manifested in flesh, has been justified in [the] Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among [the] nations, has been believed on in [the] world, has been received up in glory.
Context
This climactic hymn anchors the chapter’s practical instructions in Christ’s person and work. The “mystery” referenced in verse 9 now stands fully displayed. Since the church is the pillar and ground of this truth (verse 15), its leaders and members must embody conduct worthy of the gospel they confess. The confession ends the chapter by lifting eyes from qualifications to the Savior who empowers and defines true godliness.
v.15but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
v.16This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 17:7
And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
- Mark 1:13
And he was in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:10
when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.
- Acts 1:1
The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
- 1 John 1:2
(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us);
- Revelation 17:5
and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
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