Jesus is God, According to 1 Timothy 3:16
The claim that Jesus is God has been a central tenet of Christian faith since the early church. One of the most profound biblical affirmations of this truth is found in 1 Timothy 3:16, where the Apostle Paul expresses a statement of mystery and reverence concerning the nature of Christ:
"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." (1 Timothy 3:16, KJV)
This verse encapsulates the incarnation, the divine nature of Christ, and His redemptive work, forming one of the clearest declarations that Jesus is indeed God. The following chapter will provide a deep dive into each aspect of this verse using Bible verses, expository study, comprehensive commentary, and exhaustive references from Strong’s Concordance.
The Mystery of Godliness
The verse opens with “without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.” The term "mystery" (Greek: mystērion, Strong's G3466) here doesn’t refer to something that cannot be understood but rather to a truth once hidden and now revealed. Paul uses this term to express something profound and beyond human comprehension that has been made known through Christ.
The "mystery of godliness" specifically refers to God's plan for salvation and the revelation of His divine nature through Jesus Christ. This concept of godliness (eusebeia, Strong’s G2150) implies a life lived in devotion and alignment with God, made possible only through the relationship with Christ.
Colossians 1:26-27 states, "The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
This mystery of godliness, then, is bound up in the person of Jesus Christ, who provides access to God and reveals His nature in the flesh.
“God Was Manifest in the Flesh”
The phrase “God was manifest in the flesh” is central to Paul’s argument. The Greek term used here for "manifest" (phaneroō, Strong's G5319) means “to make visible” or “to reveal.” This confirms that God took on a visible, human form. This concept aligns with the doctrine of the Incarnation, where Jesus, fully divine, also became fully human.
John 1:1, 14 supports this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Here, John affirms that Jesus, the Word, is both fully God and became flesh.
In Philippians 2:6-7, Paul similarly describes Jesus' incarnation, “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
Justified in the Spirit
The phrase “justified in the Spirit” implies that Jesus was declared righteous or proven true through the Holy Spirit. The word justified (dikaioō, Strong's G1344) means "to declare righteous" or "to vindicate." In Jesus’ case, this happened in several ways, especially through His resurrection, which was a testament to His divinity and sinless nature.
Romans 1:4 affirms, “[He] was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”
The Spirit was active throughout Jesus' ministry—from His conception to His baptism and His resurrection. This connection to the Spirit demonstrates Jesus’ holiness, righteousness, and identity as God incarnate.
Seen by Angels
The phrase “seen by angels” confirms the heavenly recognition and witness of Jesus' divine mission. Throughout the Bible, angels ministered to and recognized Jesus. Angels announced His birth (Luke 2:13-14), strengthened Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), and proclaimed His resurrection (Matthew 28:5-7).
This angelic witness emphasizes the significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, reinforcing His divine nature.
In Hebrews 1:6, we see that God commands all the angels to worship Jesus: “And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God's angels worship him.’” This recognition by the angels points to Jesus’ divinity, as worship is due only to God.
Preached unto the Gentiles
The phrase “preached unto the Gentiles” reflects the global mission of Christ. Jesus was not just a savior for Israel but for all nations. After His resurrection, the Gospel was spread among the Gentiles, fulfilling God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:3).
Acts 10:34-35 says, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Jesus’ message is universal, signifying His role as God’s provision for all people.
Believed on in the World
The phrase “believed on in the world” affirms that Jesus' message and identity have been accepted and trusted by people across the globe. The spread of faith in Jesus as the Son of God fulfills Old Testament prophecies and underscores His divine authority and the transformative power of the Gospel.
John 3:16 captures this belief: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The world’s acceptance and belief in Jesus attest to His divine nature.
Received Up in Glory
Finally, “received up in glory” refers to Jesus' ascension into heaven, where He was exalted to God’s right hand. The term glory (doxa, Strong's G1391) represents honor, splendor, and divine majesty. This ascension not only affirmed Jesus' divine status but also marked His victory over sin and death.
Acts 1:9 describes the event: “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”
Additionally, Hebrews 1:3 tells us, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Conclusion
In 1 Timothy 3:16, Paul captures the essence of Jesus' divine nature. Each phrase reveals an aspect of His identity as God manifest in the flesh, fulfilling the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. Jesus, as God incarnate, lived, died, rose, and ascended, making salvation accessible to humanity. This profound mystery of godliness remains the cornerstone of Christian belief, confirming that Jesus is indeed God.
The Apostle Paul, through this verse, invites believers to embrace the mystery of godliness with reverence and awe, recognizing Jesus as both God and Savior.
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