Paul explained his reason for writing this epistle and, in particular, what he had just said. He did so to impress on Timothy a view of the church that was foundational to all his instructions in this letter.
3:14-15 In view of the context Paul evidently was thinking of the local church when he spoke of it as a household and as a pedestal. The first figure is common in Paul's writings (2 Tim. 1:16; Titus 1:11; cf. vv. 5, 12). The local church is a family of believers (cf. 5:1-2). It should, therefore, conduct its corporate life as a family rather than as a business, a country club, an entertainment center, a military group, or some other organization.
"This metaphor served to elevate the community of believers as the location' of God's presence on earth. The church has become His base of operation in the world."137
The second figure is of a pedestal that supports something set on top of it.138Each local church supports the witness of each believer in it and holds that testimony up before the world. Paul did not elaborate how it does this here, though the models suggested by the terms "shepherd"("pastor"), "elder,""overseer,"and "deacon"provide some clues.139What the believer proclaims is the "truth,"the whole truth God has revealed in His Word but especially God's redemptive plan.
3:16 His mention of this message led Paul to glorify it. By common confession among Christians this mystery of godliness is great. It is a mystery in that God has made His plan known to us only by special revelation in the New Testament (cf. Eph. 3). It is a mystery of godliness in that it leads to and results in godliness in those who accept it. It is great in its preeminent importance and in its worldwide scope.
Paul evidently quoted a fragment of a hymn or a statement of the apostolic church that summarized this message. It appears to have been such in view of its concise rhythmic parallelism and assonance in Greek.140Three couplets depict Jesus Christ as the essence of this mystery and view His work as completed.
". . . this phrase the mystery of godlinessforms a connection between the appearance of Christ, which the hymn celebrates, and Christian living: the mysteryis the essence of godliness."141
God revealed Jesus Christ in flesh (human nature) in His incarnation, and the Holy Spirit vindicated His claims in His resurrection. Angels saw and worshipped Him following His resurrection and ascension into heaven, and His disciples proclaimed Him to all people through the worldwide preaching of the gospel. Those who accept the gospel on earth believe on Him, and God received and exalted Him in glory following His ascension.
This saying presents the work of Christ as comprehensive in time. From His incarnation on Jesus Christ is the most important figure in human history. Notice also that two realms are in view in this hymn, the earthly and the heavenly. There are three references to the earthly realm in lines 1, 4, and 5. Likewise there are three references to the heavenly realm in lines 2, 3, and 6. Thus the movement of thought is alternately from the earthly realm, to the heavenly, back to the earthly, and finally back to the heavenly. This structure emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Christ's work in space. He has brought together the earthly and heavenly spheres of existence. He has reconciled human beings to God.
Specifically, He has bridged the gap between things that have always been poles apart. These are flesh (the physical) and spirit (the spiritual), angels (those closest to God) and Gentiles (those farthest from God), and the world (the present sphere of existence) and heaven (the future sphere of existence).
"The first of the three couplets presents Christ's work accomplished, the second his work made known, and the third his work acknowledged."142
