1 Timothy 3:14-16·~1 min
The Mystery of Godliness
Paul says he hopes to come soon, but writes in case he is delayed so Timothy will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. He closes by naming the mystery of godliness as great by common confession.
A14lthough I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things 15in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great:
Section summaryPaul says he writes these things in case his arrival is delayed so that Timothy will know how one ought to conduct oneself in God's household, the church of the living God, which upholds the truth. He then ends with the shared confession that the mystery of godliness is great.
Role in the chapterThis closing section gathers the practical instructions of the letter under their deepest purpose. Church order matters because the church belongs to the living God and holds forth His truth.