1 Timothy 3:16

1 TIMOTHY—NOTE ON 1 Timothy 3:16 Paul offers a poetic exposition of the gospel—perhaps a hymn—whose source is unknown. mystery of godliness. See note on v. 9. Great indeed, we confess. This introduction may be calling on the Ephesian church to affirm this statement and its doctrinal implications. The basic idea is clear: God the Son has been revealed in human flesh (resulting in the crucifixion, line 1); he was vindicated by the resurrection (line 2); afterward he was seen by angels in victory (line 3); the message of salvation has been proclaimed among the nations, that is, among the Gentiles (line 4); this preaching has been effective (believed on, line 5); taken up (line 6) seems most naturally to refer to the ascension, although chronologically it would precede lines 4 and 5.