There are 31,102 verses in the Bible. That’s a lot! If you memorized one verse per day, you could have the whole Bible memorized in just over 85 years. Of course, every verse in the Bible ultimately is about Jesus Christ—Someone is coming (summary of the Old Testament books), Someone is here (summary of Matthew through John), Someone is coming again (summary of Acts through Revelation). But, if you could memorize one verse that would give you an overview of the life, purpose, greatness and truth of that Someone, start with 1 Timothy 3:16.
You will probably notice in your Bible that most of the verse is set apart in its formatting, similar to the way that the book of Psalms or other poetic sections in your Bible might appear. In doing so, the translators help us to see six pivotal truths about Jesus Christ that are integral to the story of the Bible. But, before Paul gets to those six transforming truths, he introduces them with these words: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.” What is he telling us?
Paul emphasizes truth’s certainty: “without controversy.” The Greek word literally means, “that which one confesses,” and it is defined as “most certain, uncontestable, undeniable, beyond dispute, without doubt.” Think about God using that word to describe the truth of Jesus Christ—it is without controversy and beyond dispute. Only a foolish mortal would deny or argue against the undeniable!
Paul emphasizes truth’s supremacy: “great is.” The truth of Jesus Christ and God’s plan to save mankind is of surpassing importance. Nothing compares. It is likened to oxygen—we cannot survive without it. There is not (and never will be) anything greater or more important in your life.
Paul emphasizes truth’s clarity: “the mystery.” The word does not mean mysterious or incapable of being understood. Quite the opposite. That which (i.e., “the mystery of Christ,” Eph. 3:4) “was not made known” in “other ages…has now been revealed” (3:5). God’s plan for salvation through His Son has been clearly revealed in the gospel.
Paul emphasizes truth’s relevancy: “of godliness.” On the one hand, “godliness” stands for the entire Christian system, which has been revealed. On the other hand, the truth of Jesus Christ leads one to a life of “godliness,” referring to one’s devotion and conformity to God’s will, as one seeks to please God in all things.
The truth of Jesus Christ is certain, supreme, clear and relevant to our lives! As the Lord’s church, we are “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). We must know it! We must teach it and defend it! Let’s study this together.