1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels… The greatness and importance of the truth which the Church was to maintain is given as a motive to fidelity on the part of Christians. I. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN FLESH AND SPIRIT. "He was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit." For it is not what appeals to our natural observation, to our sensuous nature, or to our purely intellectual faculties, which awakens the conviction that He is our Lord, but it is His Divine touch, felt upon heart and conscience, which leads us, like Thomas, to fall at His feet and say, "My Lord and my God." II. THE SECOND SUGGESTED CONTRAST IS BETWEEN THE ANGELS AND THE NATIONS. "He was seen of angels and preached unto the Gentiles." These are again natural opposites. Angels are the blessed inhabitants of a higher sphere; Gentiles are the most corrupt and debased inhabitants of this lower world. And it is His glory that His claims have been admitted by opposing and divergent nationalities, by the most varied types of men, as rightful King of all the world. III. THE LAST CONTRAST DRAWN HERE IS BETWEEN THE EARTHLY AND THE HEAVENLY. "He was believed on in the world, received up into glory." What a contrast between the celestial brightness and purity in which He is enshrined, and the disease, the death, and the sin prevailing in the world. I know not how we Christians could still work hopefully if it were not that Jesus, the Almighty purifier, the one Saviour, can be believed on, and is believed on by us in the world — as One able and willing to bring salvation to the lost and degraded. (A. Rowland, LL. B.) Parallel Verses KJV: And 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. |
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