1 Timothy 3:14-16 – Grappling with the Truth

In verse 14, Paul told Timothy that he would be going to Ephesus to meet up with him soon. In anticipation that he might be delayed, he gave him some interim instructions on how every believer ought to conduct himself.

From verse 15, we discover several things about the church: Firstly, the church is the household of God. Secondly, she is the church of the Living God. It is comforting to note that each time we gather and meet in church, we are meeting God, Who is alive and present. Thirdly, the church is the pillar and support of the truth. The church has been entrusted with the truth. And as custodian of the truth, one key role of the church is to be a pillar and support of that truth.

What is this truth? Why is it called a “great confession” and a “mystery of godliness”? It is truth as opposed to all the heresies propagated by the false teachers. It is a confession, a creed that states the basic belief about Christ. It is a mystery because it is something that cannot be known via speculation and needs a revelation to disclose. Verse 16 tells us that it is the revelation of God Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. It did not come through human speculation but divine revelation. Here Paul quoted a part of an ancient hymn to elaborate the essence and the centrality of Christ in the truth. It briefly gives a synopsis of Jesus Christ, the God incarnate in human flesh. There are six vital parts.

Firstly, He was revealed in the flesh. In Jesus Christ, the invisible God made Himself visible in human form. Secondly, He was vindicated in the Spirit. In raising Jesus’ human body from the dead, the Holy Spirit has declared Him the righteous Son of God. Thirdly, He was seen by angels. The idea is about Christ being attended to by angels. On many occasions in His life, angels attended to Him. The angels announced His birth, ministered to Him during and after the temptation, strengthened Him at Gethsemane, rolled away the stone from His burial cave at His resurrection, etc. Fourthly, He was proclaimed among the nations. After His resurrection, He gave instruction that the Gospel, which is His redemptive plan, should be preached to the world. Mark 16:20 recorded that “… they (the early disciples) went out and preached everywhere ….” Fifthly, He was believed on in the world. Paul was alluding to the success of the Gospel as people responded positively to it by faith. Finally, He was taken up in glory.  This probably refers to Christ’s ascension. In referring to Christ’s ascension, Acts 1:9 tells us that He was taken up into glory.

We are the church of Jesus Christ. We confess His Lordship over us individually and corporately. This is all the more reason for us to live and conduct our life in line with our proclamation of His Lordship. It behooves us therefore to live our life to bring glory to His name!