What a Glorious Mystery!

The Mystery of Godliness
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

In verse 14 Paul shares his hope and desire to visit. But what was more important to him, was the truths that he was writing about. He want Timothy to understand what was most important, where his trust should be, and where his faith was to be grounded. Paul wants Timothy to live in godliness and to know that God is his strength. In verse 15, he is stressing the importance of the Church. The passage describes the church as God's family, especially with reference to authority and responsibility within the Church and the home. The focus is on God's authority over the church and the behavior of people in the church. It is a gathering where God clearly manifests His presence to His people. He is "living" thus active among His people, not distant. Paul's reference to the Church being a "pillar and buttress of the truth" is an encouragement to "hold up" the gospel before the world and defend against the attacks of false teaching. Pillar and buttress's are strong and an integral and important part of architecture, they have to be strong, because of what they are holding up. We as the Church must not take lightly what we have freely been given!

V.16: He was manifested in the flesh,vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. This refers to God glorious revealed plan of salvation! It is truly great and beyond comprehension. Paul is reminding Timothy of the life of Christ and affirming His power and who He was. Why would Christ come to save me a sinner!?! It something I will never fully comprehend, but it does make my heart rejoice and more amazed at God's infinite love!

"Consequently, Paul's readers are reminded of their confession that the first advent of Christ introduced a new way of life in the present age. The hymn combines snapshots of important points of that past appearance (lines 1, 2, 3, 6) with references to the salvation introduced by that event (lines 4, 5). The appearance of the God-man is the essence of the new lifestyle (godliness) that, Paul urges, must characterize the church as it gathers for worship and when it relates with the world. Our confession of Christ is our acknowledgment of the call to service and godly living." - BGW Commentary

What an amazing gift we have been given! What an amazing call we have received! What an amazing God we get to serve! OH! WHAT A GLORIOUS MYSTERY!

Who can comprehend
Your holy ways O Lord
Your glorious power without end
From which the stars were born
How could we ever understand
The moving of Your hand?
How could we ever come to grasp
The One who never began?

Oh, what a glorious mystery You are
Oh, what a glorious mystery You are
Though we only see in part
You’ve completely won our hearts
Oh, what a glorious mystery You are

Who can comprehend
Your gracious mercy Lord
Great loving kindness that would send
A Savior to be born?
Why would you, Jesus, die for us
Who cursed Your perfect name?
Why would You come to reconcile
Those who caused Your shame?

- Stephen Altrogee (SGM Music)