GOOD CHRISTIAN OVERSEERS, Dr. Samuel Lee
THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS
Passage: 1_Timothy 3:14~4:5  
Key verse: 3:16
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church(A) of the living God,(B) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(C) from which true godliness(D) springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,(E)
was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,(F)
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.(G)
4 The Spirit(H) clearly says that in later times(I) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(J) and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(K) 3 They forbid people to marry(L) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(M) which God created(N) to be received with thanksgiving(O) by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,(P) and nothing is to be rejected(Q) if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God(R) and prayer.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
Cross references
- 1 Timothy 3:15 : ver 5; S 1Co 10:32
- 1 Timothy 3:15 : S Mt 16:16
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Ro 16:25
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : S 1Ti 2:2
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Jn 1:14
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : Ps 9:11; Col 1:23
- 1 Timothy 3:16 : S Mk 16:19
- 1 Timothy 4:1 : Jn 16:13; S Ac 8:29; 1Co 2:10
- 1 Timothy 4:1 : 2Ti 3:1; 2Pe 3:3
- 1 Timothy 4:1 : S Mk 13:5
- 1 Timothy 4:2 : Eph 4:19
- 1 Timothy 4:3 : Heb 13:4
- 1 Timothy 4:3 : Col 2:16
- 1 Timothy 4:3 : Ge 1:29; 9:3
- 1 Timothy 4:3 : ver 4; Ro 14:6; 1Co 10:30
- 1 Timothy 4:4 : Ge 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31; Mk 7:18, 19; Ro 14:14-18
- 1 Timothy 4:4 : S Ac 10:15
- 1 Timothy 4:5 : S Heb 4:12
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
Paul reminded Timothy of why he was writing. It was a gentle reminder that people ought to conduct their lives in a way that reflects who they are: the church of the living God. It is a mystery now made known: the appearance of Christ who came to heal the dead and godless world. Christ Jesus is the source of godliness and life for the world. Our conduct in the Lord is the expression of our faith in the greatness of the gospel of Jesus.
2. Everything God created is good (4:1-5)
We live in times where men abandon faith in Jesus and follow the teachings of hypocritical liars whose consciences are dead. An ascetic life is different from a godly life. All things are created by a good God, and everything God created is good. We depend on God alone for all things. In Jesus, he created us newly. He is all we need to be saved.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating a good world. Thank you for Jesus, my source of godliness and life.
One Word: Christ Jesus, our source of life