The Grace Notes devotions in 2024 are based on verses from 1 Timothy. Each devotion includes Greek, pastoral ministry notes, and prayer.
- January: Paul’s salutation (1 Tim 1:1–2).
- February: Paul’s purpose in writing to Timothy (1 Tim 1:3–11)
- March: Paul’s personal story (vv. 12–14) and the general gospel truths to be drawn from it (vv. 15–17).
- April: Paul’s repeated charge to Timothy to preach the truth in opposition to the false teachers (vv. 18–20)
- May: Paul’s instruction to Timothy about prayer—for whom, for what, and why (1 Tim 2:1–7)
- June: The roles of men and women in the life of the church (1 Tim. 2:8-15)
- July: Qualifications for overseers in the church (1 Tim 3:1-7)
- August: Qualifications for deacons in the church (1 Tim 3:8-13)
While only three verses, 1 Tim 3:14–16 is glorious. The heightened language in v. 16 is likely a hymn verse or a concise confession of faith. These lyrics are the basis for Paul’s instructions in chapters two and three.
14 Ταῦτά σοι γράφω, ἐλπίζων ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐν τάχει, 15 ἐὰν δὲ βραδύνω, ἵνα εἰδῇς πῶς δεῖ ἐν οἴκῳ θεοῦ ἀναστρέφεσθαι, ἥτις ἐστὶν ἐκκλησία θεοῦ ζῶντος, στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς ἀληθείας· 16 καὶ ὁμολογουμένως μέγα ἐστὶν τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον· Ὃς ἐφανερώθη ἐν σαρκί, ἐδικαιώθη ἐν πνεύματι, ὤφθη ἀγγέλοις, ἐκηρύχθη ἐν ἔθνεσιν, ἐπιστεύθη ἐν κόσμῳ, ἀνελήμφθη ἐν δόξῃ. [1]
14 Ταῦτά σοι γράφω, ἐλπίζων ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐν τάχει, 15 ἐὰν δὲ βραδύνω, ἵνα εἰδῇς πῶς δεῖ ἐν οἴκῳ θεοῦ ἀναστρέφεσθαι,
By ταῦτά, Paul is referring to his instructions about prayer, roles, and leaders in the church (chapters two and three). Though Paul wanted to travel to Timothy soon, it seemed possible, even likely (ἐὰν δὲ followed by a subjunctive verb), that he just might be delayed. Paul wrote this letter “in order that you may know how it is necessary to conduct oneself in God’s household.” Paul has in mind not just Timothy’s conduct, but the conduct of the believers and the leaders in the church (once again, see chapters two and three).
ἥτις ἐστὶν ἐκκλησία θεοῦ ζῶντος, στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς ἀληθείας·
Though its antecedent οἴκῳ is masculine, ἥτις is feminine by attraction to ἐκκλησία. God’s household is the church of the living God. As pastors we want never to forget this reality: we are serving among the people of the only true God. They are imperfect (as are we), but our God is perfect in every way. God’s people are precious, and they have a purpose: to be a “pillar and foundation of truth.” Pillars and foundations are parts of a building that hold up important and heavy things. God uses his church to hold up and out to the world his saving truth.
16 καὶ ὁμολογουμένως μέγα ἐστὶν τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον·
At the center of God’s truth is a person, his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Stated positively, all of God’s household agrees on (ὁμολογουμένως) the person and work of Jesus Christ. Stated negatively, no true member of God’s church can deny (ὁμολογουμένως) these Christological truths. God is the originator and the revealer of the mystery of godliness (εὐσεβείας μυστήριον) summarized in the hymn. He has revealed this mystery by his Son and by his Spirit. Apart from the content of these lyrics, there can be no people of God, no true godliness.
Ὃς ἐφανερώθη ἐν σαρκί, ἐδικαιώθη ἐν πνεύματι,
ὤφθη ἀγγέλοις, ἐκηρύχθη ἐν ἔθνεσιν,
ἐπιστεύθη ἐν κόσμῳ, ἀνελήμφθη ἐν δόξῃ.
He was manifested in flesh, vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Each line has an earthly (human/this world) element and a heavenly (divine/that world) element. The order is reversed in the middle line, creating a chiastic structure:
Earthly, heavenly
Heavenly, earthly
Earthly, heavenly
Line one proclaims Christ’s incarnation and resurrection, the miracles that mark the beginning and end of Christ’s redeeming work. The eternal Son was manifested in human flesh to redeem all human beings from sin, death, and hell; his resurrection by the power of the Holy Spirit declares that he truly is the holy one of God and the one who makes people holy.
Line two proclaims the audiences of Jesus Christ’s saving work. One audience saw it; the other audience heard about it. God’s holy angels watched the life and ministry of Jesus with great interest, especially his resurrection from the dead. The risen Savior has been proclaimed all around the world, in every country. That proclamation was begun by angels at the empty tomb on Easter morning, but this proclamation quickly became and ever remains the privilege of redeemed sinners.
Line three proclaims positive responses to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Here in the world many people have put their faith in him. At his glorious ascension, he was taken up in glory and seated at the right hand of our Father in heaven, forever to be praised by saints and angels there.
Dear brothers, when the failings of our flesh and the messiness of ministry drag us down, let’s sing this song. Let’s meditate on the mystery of godliness. Let’s (re-)fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ. And let’s dedicate ourselves once again to holding up God’s saving truth. The mystery of godliness is sublime—certainly sufficient to save, sanctify, and sustain us.
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for this ancient little hymn, cosmic in content. Keep reminding me that the mystery of godliness is as great as my risen and ascended Savior. By your Spirit continue to equip me, my fellow pastors, and all our churches to lift your truth high. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
P.S. For further reading, I recommend Pres. emeritus David Valleskey’s recent book, The Splendid Task of the Ministry: A Pastoral Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (NPH, 2023).
[1] Holmes, M. W. (2011–2013). The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (1 Ti 3:14–16). Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature.