1 Timothy 3:16 – He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
The book of 1 Timothy (as well as Titus) is really an outline of church leadership behavior. How leaders are to conduct themselves and the outlines of what qualifies you to lead in the church context.
Here, Paul wanted young Timothy to know how to “conduct himself” as a leader of a local church. But even past “conduct” the importance of a leader in a church is the protection of truth. When truth is compromised, it compromises the ministry, the church, and the enemy makes progress.
Here, in the final verse of the chapter, Paul is declaring the main truth to which a church should proclaim…the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Here, we see that God manifest in the flesh (not just in birth, but during His entire earthly ministry). Even though His own people rejected him, He was vindicated in the Spirit (the Spirit empowered Jesus to do miracles and even raise Himself from the dead (Romans 1:4).
This verse says He was “seen by angels” – meaning that many times angels were associated and involved int eh life and ministry of Jesus.
He “proclaimed among the nations” – He preached and died for the lost “I have come to seek and save the lost” – Like Jesus, we are to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth, where He is “believed on in the world”.
He was “received up in glory” – He ascended; He will return to take His church to share that glory.
For me, this verse is a reminder of the man we are to worship, praise, to showcase, to promote, to copy, and to do what Jesus was also called to do…” seek and save the lost”.
The person of Jesus, this is the truth. In a world where everyone likes to talk about “my truth” – as followers of Jesus, He is ours. So, our call to action, regardless of our position inside or outside of the church, is to proclaim this truth – Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
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