Tag: Godliness

Godliness Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ 1 Comment

1Timothy 3:14-16 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou may know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 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. 

‘The mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preaches unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.’ Seven facts of the mystery of Godliness (continues): Seen of angels – divine revelation (3:16; 2Cor. 4:9; Eph. 3:9-10; 1Pet. 1:10-12). [Greek: optanomai] to discern clearly; to gaze upon with wide-open eyes as something remarkable. Previous to this angels had little knowledge of the necessity or reasons for and nature of human salvation (1Pet. 1:10-12). Now it is no longer a mystery to them or to men. Preached unto the Gentiles – divine inclusion (3:16; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:11-18; 3:1-6; Col. 3:11). Believed on in the world – divine propagation (3:16; Matt. 4:23-24; 9:35; Luke 4:16-19; Eph. 2:17). Received up into glory – divine ascension and exaltation (3:16; Luke 24:51; Eph. 1:20-23; Php. 2:9-11). The Greek: analambano is translated as “received up” (3:16; Mark 16:19; Luke 9:51; Acts 10:16); “taken up” (Acts 1:2, 11, 22; 7:43); and “take” (Acts 20:13-14; 23:31; Eph. 6:13, 16; 2Tim. 4:11). The same human body and nature God was manifested in, was resurrected and received up to glory (John 21:14).

These divine phrases of the mystery of godliness form one complete whole concerning the redemption of all things. No single part is now a mystery, because the many scriptures have made it all clear.

‘Godliness’ [Greek: eusebeia] reverence toward God; piety; religion. Translated “godliness” (3:16; 2:2; 4:7-8; 6:3-11; 2Tim. 3:5; Tit. 1:1; 2Pet. 1:3-7; 3:11) and “holiness” (Acts 3:12).

Godliness Part 1

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1Timothy 3:14-16 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou may know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 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. 

‘Hoping to come unto thee shortly.’ I hope to come to you shortly, but if I am delayed, you will know how to conduct yourself amongst other believers (3:14-15).

‘The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.’ Three names of the New Testament congregation: The house or household of God (3:15; Eph. 2:19-22; cp. Gal. 6:10). The congregations or assemblies of the living God (3:15; Eph. 3:15; 5:1). The pillar and ground of truth, the upholder of the great truth of the mystery of godliness (3:15-16). Another great truth upheld is the headship of God (1Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:10). Lucifer did not abide in this truth (John 8:44; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17). He is now denying it (1Jn. 2:18-23). Christians are now supposed to demonstrate it (Eph. 3:10; 4:11-16; 5:24; Heb. 13:7, 17; 1Pet. 5:1-6).

‘Without controversy’ [Greek: homologoumenos] confessedly.

‘The mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preaches unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.’ Seven facts of the mystery of Godliness: Great – divine fullness (3:16; John 1:16-17; Eph. 3:19; Col. 1:19; 2:9). God was manifest in the flesh – the incarnation (3:16; Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-39; John 1:14; Rom. 8:3; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 1:5-6; 2:6-18). Justified in the Spirit – divine vindication (3:16; Acts 2:22-28, 36; 3:14-18; Rom. 1:3-4; Eph. 1:20-23; Php. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-24; 2:14-17; Heb. 1:3-9; 2:5-18; 1Pet. 3:22).

To be continued…

Life and Godliness

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2Peter 1:3-7 According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 

‘Divine’ [Greek: theios] that which belongs to the Godhead. ‘Power’ [Greek: dunamis] inherent power; power to reproduce itself, like a dynamo.

‘All things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us’ this divine power is capable of giving one all things of life and godliness through the proper knowledge. ‘To glory and virtue’ the object of Christian calling.

‘Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises’ by His glorious power (1:3). ‘By these you might be partakers of the divine nature’ seven blessings of the promises are given: Like precious faith (1:1; Rom. 10:17); righteousness (1:1; 1Cor. 1:30); grace and peace (1:2); all things that pertain to life and godliness (1:3; Tit. 2:11-12); glory and virtue (1:3); the divine nature (1:4); escape from corruption and lust (1:4).

‘Corruption’ [Greek: phthora] moral corruption, decay, ruin, depravity, wickedness (1:4; 2:12, 19; Rom. 8:21; 1Cor. 15:42, 50; Gal. 6:8). Also translated “perish” (Col. 2:22) and “be destroyed” (2:12).

‘Beside this’ along with this, or by the side of your obtaining precious faith (1:1). ‘Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge’ there are seven steps in spiritual arithmetic: Add to faith virtue (Christian Virtues); add to virtue knowledge (1:5); add to knowledge temperance (Gal. 5:22); add to temperance patience; add to patience godliness (1Tim. 3:16); add to godliness brotherly kindness; add to brotherly kindness love (1Cor. 13:4).

Do These Things – You Shall Never Fall

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Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall 2Pet. 1:10 KJV

Christians are warned to give diligence to meeting certain terms of God lest they fall into sin and be lost. The theory that God will not punish, judge, and condemn His people when they backslide and persist in sin and rebellion has no foundation in any attribute, act, promise, prophecy, covenant, or revelation of God. He has been just and good to all in all ages. He is completely impartial; nothing can cause Him to act contrary His nature as He has revealed it. God has given hundreds of warnings for men not to backslide lest they die in their sin and rebellion and suffer the fate of all sinners. Heb. 6:1-2, 4-9; 2:1-4; 10:26-29; 2Pet. 2:20-22; Rev. 2:5  If we do the things mentioned here, we will never fall.  Let’s have a look at what they are:

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  2Pet. 1:3-7 KJV

Through God’s divine power we are given ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness! HOW?  Through the knowledge of Him that hath called us!  By getting to know God as our love grow in relationship with Him when we read and implement the Word in our lives, Php. 1:9-11 He enables us through His power to get the things that is relevant to life and godliness.  Never that which is sinful or that can lead to temptation. Jas. 1:2-16 We were called to glory and virtue, that which is attained when answering the call on our lives Acts 10:34, 35; John 3:16-20 to follow in Christ’s footsteps 1Pet. 2:21 when we make the decision to represent Him on earth.. John 14:10-12

AFTER we have escaped the corruption that is in this world through lust, we are then given exceeding great and precious promises that we might be partakers of the divine nature!  With diligence Christian virtues are added to our precious faith; 2Pet. 1:1; Rom. 10:17 and to virtue knowledge; Php. 1:9-11  And to knowledge temperance; Gal. 5:22 and to temperance patience; Gal. 5:22 and to patience godliness Tit. 2:11-12 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 1Cor. 13:4

Verse 8 says that if these things are flourishing in us, then we shall “neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  And an important warning follows in verse 9:

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins

I choose to be diligent, making my “calling and election sure,” declaring that I will do these things so that I may never fall. In Jesus Name, amen.