1 Timothy 3:16 “By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared i…”

1 Timothy 3:16

By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

American Standard Version

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Geneva Bible 1599

And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.

Darby Translation

And confessedly the mystery of piety is great. God has been manifested in flesh, has been justified in [the] Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among [the] nations, has been believed on in [the] world, has been received up in glory.

Young's Literal Translation

and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety — God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!

Bible in Basic English

And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.

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Cross references

“without”

Hebrews 7:7

Hebrews 7:7 · BSB

And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

“the mystery”

Romans 16:25 Colossians 2:2 1 Corinthians 2:7 1 Timothy 3:9 Ephesians 1:9 Ephesians 6:19

Romans 16:25 · BSB

Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past

Colossians 2:2 · BSB

that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,

1 Corinthians 2:7 · BSB

No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

1 Timothy 3:9 · BSB

They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Ephesians 1:9 · BSB

And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ

Ephesians 6:19 · BSB

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,

“God”

John 1:14 Hebrews 1:3 Philippians 2:6–8 1 John 1:2 Isaiah 9:6 Matthew 1:23

John 1:14 · BSB

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 1:3 · BSB

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on h…

Philippians 2:6–8 · BSB

Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

1 John 1:2 · BSB

And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

Isaiah 9:6 · BSB

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:23 · BSB

“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us” ).

“manifest”

1 John 3:5

1 John 3:5 · BSB

But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

“justified”

1 John 5:6–8 Matthew 3:16 Acts 2:32–36 Isaiah 50:5–7 John 15:26 1 Peter 3:18

1 John 5:6–8 · BSB

This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.

Matthew 3:16 · BSB

As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.

Acts 2:32–36 · BSB

God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.

Isaiah 50:5–7 · BSB

The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back.

John 15:26 · BSB

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.

1 Peter 3:18 · BSB

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

“seen”

Luke 24:4 1 Peter 1:12 Luke 22:43 John 20:12 Mark 1:13 Matthew 4:11

Luke 24:4 · BSB

While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them.

1 Peter 1:12 · BSB

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look in…

Luke 22:43 · BSB

Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.

John 20:12 · BSB

and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.

Mark 1:13 · BSB

and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

Matthew 4:11 · BSB

Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.

“preached”

Colossians 1:27 Romans 10:18 Acts 10:34 Galatians 2:8 Luke 2:32 Acts 13:46–48

Colossians 1:27 · BSB

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Romans 10:18 · BSB

But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Acts 10:34 · BSB

Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,

Galatians 2:8 · BSB

For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.

Luke 2:32 · BSB

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”

Acts 13:46–48 · BSB

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

“believed”

Colossians 1:23 Colossians 1:6 Revelation 7:9 Acts 14:27

Colossians 1:23 · BSB

if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Colossians 1:6 · BSB

that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.

Revelation 7:9 · BSB

After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in th…

Acts 14:27 · BSB

When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

“received”

Mark 16:19 1 Peter 3:22 Hebrews 12:2 Luke 24:51 John 13:3 Ephesians 4:8–10

Mark 16:19 · BSB

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

1 Peter 3:22 · BSB

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

Hebrews 12:2 · BSB

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Luke 24:51 · BSB

While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.

John 13:3 · BSB

Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.

Ephesians 4:8–10 · BSB

This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”

Also

1 Peter 1:20 2 Thessalonians 1:10

1 Peter 1:20 · BSB

He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 · BSB

on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Read 1 Timothy 3