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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Timothy 3:16 - 3:16
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Without controversy (homologoumenōs). Old adverb from the participle homologoumenos from homologeō. Here only in N.T. “Confessedly.”
Great (mega). See note on Eph 5:32. “A great mystery.”
The mystery of godliness (to tēs eusebeias mustērion). See 1Ti 3:9 “the mystery of the faith,” and 1Ti 2:2 for eusebeia. Here the phrase explains “a pillar and stay of the truth” (1Ti 3:15). See in particular 1Co 1:27. “The revealed secret of true religion, the mystery of Christianity, the Person of Christ” (Lock).
He who (hos). The correct text, not theos (God) the reading of the Textus Receptus (Syrian text) nor ho (neuter relative, agreeing with mustērion) the reading of the Western documents. Westcott and Hort print this relative clause as a fragment of a Christian hymn (like Eph 5:14) in six strophes. That is probably correct. At any rate hos (who) is correct and there is asyndeton (no connective) in the verbs. Christ, to whom hos refers, is the mystery (Col 1:27; Col 2:2).
Was manifested (ephanerōthē). First aorist passive indicative of phaneroō, to manifest. Here used to describe the incarnation (en sarki) of Christ (an answer also to the Docetic Gnostics). The verb is used by Paul elsewhere of the incarnation (Rom 16:26; Col 1:26) as well as of the second coming (Col 3:4).
Justified in the spirit (edikaiōthē en pneumati). First aorist passive indicative of dikaioō, to declare righteous, to vindicate. Christ was vindicated in his own spirit (Heb 9:14) before men by overcoming death and rising from the dead (Rom 1:3.).
Seen of angels (ōphthē aggelois). First aorist passive indicative of horaō, to see, with either the instrumental or the dative case of angels (aggelois). The words were probably suggested by the appearance of Jesus (ōphthē, the usual form for the resurrection appearances of Christ) of the angels at the tomb and at the ascension of Christ. See note on Phi 2:10; 1Pe 3:22 for the appearance of Jesus to the angels in heaven at the ascension. Some would take “angels” here to be “messengers” (the women).
Preached among the nations (ekēruchthē en ethnesin). First aorist passive indicative of kērussō, to proclaim. The word ethnos may mean “all creation” (Col 1:23) and not just Gentiles as distinct from Jews. Paul had done more of this heralding of Christ among the Gentiles than any one else. It was his glory (Eph 3:1, Eph 3:8). Cf. 1Ti 2:7.
Believed on in the world (episteuthē en kosmōi). First aorist indicative passive again of pisteuō, to believe (2Th 1:10). Cf. 1Ti 1:15; 2Co 5:19.
Received up in glory (anelēmphthē en doxēi). First aorist passive again (six verbs in the same voice and tense in succession, a rhythmic arrangement like a hymn). Cf. Rom 8:29. This time the verb is analambanō, the verb used of the ascension (Act 1:11, Act 1:22, which see). In a wonderful way this stanza of a hymn presents the outline of the life of Christ.