1 Timothy 3:16

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

And undeniably, great is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Καὶ ὁμολογουμένως μέγα ἐστὶν τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον: Θεὸς ἐφανερώθη ἐν σαρκί, ἐδικαιώθη ἐν Πνεύματι, ὤφθη ἀγγέλοις, ἐκηρύχθη ἐν Ἔθνεσιν, ἐπιστεύθη ἐν κόσμῳ, ἀνελήφθη ἐν δόξῃ.

Transliteration

And homologoumenōs mega estin the tēs eusebeias mystērion: Theos ephanerōthē in sarki, edikaiōthē in Pneumati, ōphthē angelois, ekērychthē in Ethnesin, episteuthē in kosmō, anelēphthē in doxē.

Grammar Details

• *homologoumenōs*: adverb - confessedly/by common confession
• *mega*: adjective, nominative, neuter, singular - great
• *estin*: verb, present, active, indicative, 3rd person, singular - is
• *tēs*: article, genitive, feminine, singular - of the
• *eusebeias*: noun, genitive, feminine, singular - godliness/piety
• *mystērion*: noun, nominative, neuter, singular - mystery
• *Theos*: noun, nominative, masculine, singular - God
• *ephanerōthē*: verb, aorist, passive, indicative, 3rd person, singular - was manifested/revealed
• *sarki*: noun, dative, feminine, singular - flesh
• *edikaiōthē*: verb, aorist, passive, indicative, 3rd person, singular - was justified/vindicated
• *Pneumati*: noun, dative, neuter, singular - Spirit
• *ōphthē*: verb, aorist, passive, indicative, 3rd person, singular - was seen
• *angelois*: noun, dative, masculine, plural - angels/messengers
• *ekērychthē*: verb, aorist, passive, indicative, 3rd person, singular - was proclaimed/preached
• *Ethnesin*: noun, dative, neuter, plural - nations/Gentiles
• *episteuthē*: verb, aorist, passive, indicative, 3rd person, singular - was believed on
• *kosmō*: noun, dative, masculine, singular - world
• *anelēphthē*: verb, aorist, passive, indicative, 3rd person, singular - was taken up
• *doxē*: noun, dative, feminine, singular - glory

Word Meanings

• *homologoumenōs*: confessedly/by common confession/undeniably
• *mega*: great/important/profound
• *eusebeias*: godliness/piety/devotion to God
• *mystērion*: mystery/secret/hidden truth
• *Theos*: God/deity
• *ephanerōthē*: was manifested/revealed/appeared
• *sarki*: flesh/body/human nature
• *edikaiōthē*: was justified/vindicated/shown to be righteous
• *Pneumati*: Spirit/spirit/spiritual realm
• *ōphthē*: was seen/appeared to
• *angelois*: angels/messengers
• *ekērychthē*: was proclaimed/preached/announced
• *Ethnesin*: nations/Gentiles/peoples
• *episteuthē*: was believed on/trusted in
• *kosmō*: world/creation/universe
• *anelēphthē*: was taken up/received up/ascended
• *doxē*: glory/splendor/majesty

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And{G2532} without controversy{G3672} great{G3173} is{G2076} the mystery{G3466} of godliness;{G2150} He{G2316} who was manifested{G5319} in{G1722} the flesh,{G4561} Justified{G1344} in{G1722} the spirit,{G4151} Seen{G3700} of angels,{G32} Preached{G2784} among{G1722} the nations,{G1484} Believed on{G4100} in{G1722} the world,{G2889} Received up{G353} in{G1722} glory.{G1391}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And{G2532} without controversy{G3672} great{G3173} is{G2076}{(G5748)} the mystery{G3466} of godliness{G2150}: God{G2316} was manifest{G5319}{(G5681)} in{G1722} the flesh{G4561}, justified{G1344}{(G5681)} in{G1722} the Spirit{G4151}, seen{G3700}{(G5681)} of angels{G32}, preached{G2784}{(G5681)} unto{G1722} the Gentiles{G1484}, believed on{G4100}{(G5681)} in{G1722} the world{G2889}, received up{G353}{(G5681)} into{G1722} glory{G1391}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And with out naye great is that mistery of godlines: God was shewed in the flesshe was iustified in the sprete was sene of angels was preached vnto the gentyls was beleved on in erth and receaved vp in glory.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  and without naye, greate is that mystery of godlynes. God was shewed in the flesh: was iustified in the sprete: was sene of angels: was preached vnto the Heythen: was beleued on in the worlde: was receaued vp in glory.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And without doubt, great is that misterie of godlynesse: God was shewed in the flesshe, was iustified in the spirite, was seene among the angels, was preached vnto the gentiles, was beleued on in the worlde, and was receaued vp in glorie.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, And received up in glory.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety -- God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Referenced Verses

• John 1:14 : 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• Heb 1:3 : 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• Col 1:23 : 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, established and firm, and do not move away from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
• Luke 24:4 : 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly, two men stood by them in dazzling garments.
• Rom 16:25 : 25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past.
• Mark 16:19 : 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
• Acts 20:28 : 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
• Isa 9:6 : 6 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
• Matt 1:23 : 23 'Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel' (which means, 'God with us').
• Matt 3:16 : 16 After Jesus was baptized, He immediately came up from the water. At that moment, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Him.
• Luke 22:43 : 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
• 1 Tim 3:9 : 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
• Col 1:27 : 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
• Col 2:2 : 2 I do this so that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and that they may have all the riches of full assurance of understanding, which leads to the full knowledge of God's mystery—Christ himself.
• 2 Thess 1:10 : 10 On that day, when He comes to be glorified among His saints and marveled at by all who have believed—because our testimony to you was believed.
• 2 Thess 2:7 : 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only the one now restraining it will do so until he is taken out of the way.
• Rom 8:3 : 3 For what the law could not do, weakened as it was by the flesh, God did. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering, He condemned sin in the flesh.
• Rom 9:5 : 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, came Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
• Rom 10:12 : 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches to all who call on Him.
• Rom 10:18 : 18 But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: 'Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'
• Heb 2:9-9 : 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him—for whom and through whom everything exists—to bring many sons to glory by making the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 Both the One who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one Father. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, 'I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will sing Your praise.' 13 And again, 'I will put my trust in Him.' And again, 'Here am I, and the children God has given Me.'
• Heb 7:7 : 7 It is universally recognized that the lesser is blessed by the greater.
• Heb 8:1 : 1 Now here is the main point: We have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
• Heb 12:2 : 2 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
• 1 Pet 1:12 : 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things even angels long to look into.
• 1 Pet 1:20 : 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
• 1 Pet 3:18 : 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.
• 1 Pet 3:22 : 22 He is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.
• 1 John 1:2 : 2 the life was made visible, and we have seen it, and we testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us—
• 1 John 3:5 : 5 You know that He appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.
• 1 John 5:6-8 : 6 This is the One who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that testify on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one.
• Rev 1:17-18 : 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said, 'Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last, 18 'the living One. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.'
• Rev 7:9 : 9 After this, I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
• Rev 17:5 : 5 On her forehead was written a name: 'Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth.'
• Rev 17:7 : 7 Then the angel said to me, 'Why are you amazed? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her.'
• Matt 4:11 : 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
• Matt 13:11 : 11 Jesus replied, "The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven have been given to you to know, but not to them.
• Matt 28:2 : 2 Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven. Approaching the tomb, he rolled away the stone and sat on it.
• Mark 1:13 : 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels ministered to him.
• Mark 16:5 : 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
• Isa 50:5-7 : 5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn away. 6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from insults and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.
• Jer 23:5-6 : 5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch. He will reign as king, act wisely, and execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
• Mic 5:2 : 2 Therefore, he will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth, and the rest of his brothers will return to join the children of Israel.
• John 1:32-33 : 32 Then John testified, saying, 'I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him.' 33 I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
• John 6:62 : 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?
• John 13:3 : 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God,
• John 15:26 : 26 When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me.
• John 16:8-9 : 8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me;
• John 16:28 : 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.
• John 17:5 : 5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.
• John 20:12 : 12 She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.
• Acts 1:1-9 : 1 In my first account, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach. 2 Until the day He was taken up to heaven, after He had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3 After His suffering, He presented Himself alive to them with many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While He was with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, "You have heard from Me." 5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority." 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. 10 As they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, suddenly two men in white robes stood beside them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him go into heaven."
• Acts 1:19 : 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their own language, Akeldama, which means 'Field of Blood.'
• Acts 2:32-36 : 32 This Jesus God has raised up, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at My right hand, 35 until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’ 36 Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
• Acts 10:34 : 34 Then Peter began to speak: 'Now I truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
• Acts 13:46-48 : 46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, 'It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles.' 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
• Acts 14:27 : 27 When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
• Luke 24:51 : 51 While he was blessing them, he departed from them and was taken up to heaven.
• John 1:1-2 : 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
• Luke 2:10-14 : 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that is for all the people. 11 Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests."
• Luke 2:32 : 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."
• Ps 68:17-18 : 17 Why do you gaze with envy, you many-peaked mountains, at the mountain God has chosen for His dwelling? Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever. 18 The chariots of God are tens of thousands, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them at Sinai in holiness.
• Isa 7:14 : 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
• 1 Cor 2:7 : 7 Instead, we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom that God predestined before the ages for our glory.
• 1 Cor 15:47 : 47 The first man was from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven.
• Gal 2:8 : 8 (For He who worked through Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also worked through me for mine to the Gentiles)—
• Gal 4:4 : 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
• Eph 1:9 : 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ,
• Eph 3:3-9 : 3 that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I have briefly written about earlier. 4 By reading this, you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in past generations was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I became a servant, according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me through the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ, 10 so that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places,
• Eph 4:8-9 : 8 Therefore it says: 'When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.' 9 But what does 'he ascended' mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.
• Eph 6:19 : 19 Pray also for me, that words may be given to me to proclaim the mystery of the gospel boldly.
• Phil 2:6-8 : 6 Who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of humanity. And being found in appearance as a man, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
• Col 1:6 : 6 That gospel has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.
• Col 1:16-18 : 16 For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.
• Rom 1:3-4 : 3 concerning His Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh, 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ our Lord.