1 Timothy 3:14–16 (ESV)
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we
confess, is the mystery of godliness:
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.
This concludes the section dedicated to the Church’s organization (chs 2–3). We are not free to amend or depart from God’s revealed
will concerning the outward organization of His Church, because it is the pillar and buttress of the truth—the Church of the living God that confesses the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a fallen world. In love, God has made us members of His Church by the
Holy Spirit. By grace, the Savior’s truth has been made manifest to us and, through faith, we will follow Him in glory.
I pray: “Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on
Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace.” Amen. [LSB]