16
There is no doubt that godliness is a great mystery. Jesus appeared in a body. The Holy Spirit proved that he was the Son of God. He was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations. People in the world believed in him. He was taken up to heaven in glory.
Reference
Greek: ἐκεῖ (ekeî)
there; by extension, thither
Greek: διστάζω (distázō)
properly, to duplicate, i.e. (mentally) to waver (in opinion)
Hebrew: qᵉṭar
a knot (as tied up), i.e. (figuratively) a riddle; also a vertebra (as if a knot)
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Greek: θεοσέβεια (theosébeia)
devoutness, i.e. piety
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Hebrew: gâdêl
large (literally or figuratively)
Greek: μυστήριον (mystḗrion)
a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)
Greek: Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs)
Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Greek: χρώς (chrṓs)
the body (properly, its surface or skin)
Hebrew: bâsâr
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ὅσιος (hósios)
and from G40 (ἅγιος), which relates to purity from defilement), i.e. hallowed (pious, sacred, sure)
Greek: φάντασμα (phántasma)
(properly concrete) a (mere) show ("phantasm"), i.e. spectre
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Hebrew: bar
the heir (apparent to the throne)
Greek: κύριος (kýrios)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Hebrew: ʼĕlâhh
God
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Hebrew: ʻim
{adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)}
Hebrew: ʼĕlôhîym
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: μέσος (mésos)
middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)
Hebrew: bêyn
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: δῆμος (dēmos)
the public (as bound together socially)
Hebrew: ʻam
{a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock}
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Hebrew: chedel
rest, i.e. the state of the dead
Greek: τοῦτον (toûton)
this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Hebrew: galgal
a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)
Greek: κλέος (kléos)
renown (as if being called)
Hebrew: heder
honour; used (figuratively) for the capital city (Jerusalem)
Faith
Colossians 1:23
Glory
John 1:14
Hebrews 1:3
Parallel theme
Romans 16:25
Luke 24:4
1 John 1:2
References God
Mark 16:19
1 Peter 3:22
Isaiah 9:6
Spirit
1 Peter 1:12
Verse Explanation
Paul concludes with a profound statement about the mystery of godliness, proclaiming Christ's manifestation in the flesh, vindication by the Spirit, appearance to angels, proclamation among nations, belief throughout the world, and reception into glory.
History
1st century AD: This verse reflects an early Christian confession concerning the incarnation, resurrection, proclamation, and exaltation of Jesus Christ.