Editorial – November 2025

‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness’, 1 Tim. 3. 16

Verses 14 to 16 of chapter 3 constitute the core, climax, and key to 1 Timothy and explain Paul’s reasons for writing. The focus is godliness. It is more than correct beliefs; it is the outworking of those beliefs in holy living. This is what the erring Ephesian elders and other false teachers were tragically undermining. Our broken world of sin and sorrow desperately needs to encounter faithful witnesses to Christ, not only by lip, but modelling true godliness. The assembly is collectively called to bear testimony to Christ, as the pillar and buttress of the truth, v. 15.

Whilst godliness must be realized and exhibited in our lives as God’s people, verse 16 shows that it has had its ultimate expression in Christ, incarnate and glorified. This verse contains a pithy and polished summary of the truth that the church defends and displays, six sublime statements about Christ.

The first two lines present Christ’s work accomplished. ‘Manifested in flesh’, JND, describes the period when Christ was visibly present on earth as man, Heb. 9. 26; 1 Pet. 1. 20.

His heavenly pre-existence is implied. ‘Justified in the spirit’, RV, refers not to the Holy Spirit but to the ‘spirit realm’ into which He was raised from the dead - to possess a glorified spiritual body. 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 18 ESV forms a close parallel, ‘put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit’.

The next couplet describes Christ’s work proclaimed. ‘Seen of angels’ carries an active sense ‘to show oneself’. Christ presented Himself to the angelic hosts upon His triumphant ascension to the throne of God, ‘Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him, 1 Pet. 3. 22. Christ descended below angels in His humiliation; He rose far above them in His exaltation. ‘Preached unto the Gentiles’; in the gospel, Christ is proclaimed to the nations. The word suggests an imperial herald proclaiming the message of the emperor. He speaks with dignity, clarity, and authority. So should we.

The third couplet proclaims Christ’s work acknowledged. ‘Believed on in the world’; the preaching of the gospel has resulted in the exercise of faith on the part of multitudes the world over. ‘Our testimony among you was believed’, 2 Thess. 1. 10. ‘Received up in glory’ NKJV, describes the circumstances of Christ’s ascension, attended by glory, Acts 1. 9. If the first statement has God come down to dwell with man, then this final statement has man received up into the dwelling place of God. The movement of thought is from the earthly realm, to the heavenly, back to the earthly, and finally back to the heavenly. This structure emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Christ’s work in space. He has brought together the earthly and heavenly spheres of existence. He reconciles needy men and women to God. Correspondingly, godly people are heavenly minded, Col. 3. 1-4.

We are grateful to the Lord’s servants who have laid before us the fruits of their meditations during the past year, and we look to Him for blessing and guidance in the year ahead.

Ken Totton
Ministry Articles Editor