1 Timothy 3:14 - Meaning and Application

He ends the chapter with a special instruction to Timothy. Paul hoped to come to him soon, to give more direction and help in the work, and to see that Christianity was firmly planted and growing well in Ephesus. That is why he wrote in a shorter form. But he also wrote so that, if he was delayed, Timothy would know how to conduct himself in the house of God, how to act as an evangelist, that is, a gospel worker, and as Paul’s representative.

Those who serve in the house of God must take care to live well, so they do not bring shame on God’s house or on the worthy name they bear. Ministers should watch their conduct as well as their prayers and sermons. Their office requires good behavior, because in this work, any behavior will not do. Timothy needed to know how to act, not only in the church where he was then staying for a time, but also in other churches, since as an evangelist and Paul’s substitute he would move from place to place. So it is not only the church at Ephesus, but the whole Christian church, that is here called the house of God, the church of the living God.

God is the living God. He is the source of life, he has life in himself, and he gives life, breath, and all things to his creatures. In him we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:25, 28). The church is God’s house because he dwells there. The Lord has chosen Zion to live there. “This is my resting place; here I will dwell, for I have chosen it” (Psalm 132:14). There we may see God’s power and glory (Psalm 63:2).

This is a great support to the church, that it is the church of the living God, the true God, unlike false gods, which are silent and dead idols. As God’s church, it is the pillar and foundation of truth. This may mean that the church itself holds up and displays the truth, not that the Bible depends on the church, as Roman Catholic teachers claim. Rather, truth supports the church, and the church holds out the Scriptures and the teaching of Christ, like a pillar on which a public message is posted. Through the church, even to heavenly rulers and powers, the many-sided wisdom of God is made known (Ephesians 3:10).

Some take this to mean Timothy himself, and by extension other faithful ministers. They are pillars and foundations of truth in the sense that it is their work to protect, uphold, and spread Christ’s truth in the church. The apostles were said to be pillars (Galatians 2:9). We should be eager and fair in seeking truth for ourselves. We should buy the truth at any cost and not think any effort too great to find it (Proverbs 23:23). We should also guard it carefully and never give it up for any reason. And we should publish it faithfully, passing it on to the next generation without corruption.

If a church stops being the pillar and foundation of truth, then we may and should leave it. Our loyalty to truth must come before our loyalty to any church. We are not bound to stay in a church once it no longer holds up the truth.

But what truth are churches and ministers meant to uphold? Paul says, “Without question, great is the mystery of godliness.” The scholar Camero joins this with what came before, so the thought becomes, “The pillar and foundation of the truth, and without question, great is the mystery of godliness.” He understands this mystery as the truth being upheld.

Christianity is a mystery, something reason alone could not discover and cannot fully grasp, because it is above reason, though never against it. It is not a mystery of philosophy or clever speculation, but of godliness, since it is meant to lead people into godliness. In that way, it rises far above the mysteries of the Gentiles, that is, the pagan nations. It is also a revealed mystery, not hidden away and sealed shut. Yet it remains a mystery, even though it has now been partly revealed.

What is this mystery of godliness? It is Christ. Paul gives six things about Christ that make up this mystery. First, he is God revealed in the flesh. This proves that he is God, the eternal Word made flesh and shown to us in human life. When God chose to reveal himself to people, he did so by sending his own Son in the incarnation, the Son taking on human nature. “The Word became flesh” (John 1:14).

Second, he was justified in the Spirit. Though he was accused as a sinner and put to death like a criminal, he was raised by the Spirit and so cleared from all the lies spoken against him. He was made sin for us and handed over for our offenses, but when he rose again, he was justified in the Spirit. That is, it was shown that his sacrifice was accepted, and so he rose for our justification, just as he was delivered for our offenses (Romans 4:25). He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).

Third, he was seen by angels. They worshiped him (Hebrews 1:6). They were present at his incarnation, his temptation, his agony, his death, his resurrection, and his ascension. This adds much to his honor and shows how great his standing was in heaven, since angels served him. He is Lord over angels.

Fourth, he was preached among the Gentiles. This is a major part of the mystery of godliness, that Christ was offered to the Gentiles as Redeemer and Savior. Before, salvation had come through the Jews, but now the dividing wall was broken down, and the Gentiles were brought in. “I have made you a light for the Gentiles” (Acts 13:47).

Fifth, he was believed on in the world, so his preaching was not wasted. Many Gentiles welcomed the gospel that the Jews rejected. Who would have expected the world, which lies in wickedness, to believe in the Son of God and receive as Savior the one who was crucified at Jerusalem? Yet, despite every prejudice against him, he was believed on.

Sixth, he was taken up in glory, in his ascension. This happened before many believed on him in the world, but it is listed last because it was the crown of his exaltation. It also includes his sitting at the right hand of God, where he lives forever to intercede and has all authority in heaven and on earth. This matters too because in the coming discussion about apostasy, some would deny that he remained in heaven, while claiming to bring him down on their altars in consecrated wafers.

Notice, first, that the one who was revealed in flesh was truly God, God by nature, not merely by office. That is what makes this a mystery. Second, God was revealed in real flesh.

Since the children share in flesh and blood, he also shared in the same human nature (Hebrews 2:14). Even more amazing, he was revealed in human flesh after all people had corrupted their way, while he himself was holy from birth.

Third, godliness is a mystery in every part of it, from beginning to end, from Christ’s coming into the world to his ascension. Fourth, since it is such a great mystery, we should humbly worship it and believe it with reverence. We should not probe into it too curiously, or speak too confidently about it beyond what Holy Scripture has shown us.