The Mystery of Godliness

by Doy Moyer Paul through the Spirit provides what early Christians confessed, possibly even sang. He calls it the “mystery of godliness.” Yet what had been a mystery was revealed and understood through Jesus (Ephesians 3:1-6). “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit,…

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How old is “young” in I Timothy 4:12?

Question: Hello brother, May I know who can be considered as young in the church based on I Timothy 4? Thank you. Answer: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (I Timothy 4:12). The Greek word neotetos simply…

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Does I Timothy 3:11 refer to both elders and deacons’ wives?

Question: In I Timothy 3:11, where it says “Likewise their wives,” do you think the word “their” means both elder and deacons wives? Or is this word a specific reference to deacons’ wives? I ask this because in context this verse falls under the qualification of a deacon. Answer: Actually, in Greek, it just says…

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You don’t interpret I Timothy 4:1-4 correctly

Question: I happened upon your site and didn’t have time for the whole thing but I thought I may help you with a correct interpretation of a passage you quote from St. Paul at the top: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving…

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What are endless myths and genealogies?

Question: Regarding I Timothy 1:4-6: In verse 4 what are the myths and endless genealogies being talked about? And in verse 6 and verse 3 who are the “some men” or the “certain men” who are teaching false doctrine? Thanks. Answer: “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that…

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How do you define “church” and “scripture?”

Question: How do you respond to I Timothy 3:15 where Paul refers to the “church of the living God” as “the pillar and bulwark of faith?” As a follow up how do we define “church?” There seem to be literally thousands of different churches, with almost all claiming to be Bible-based, full gospel or something…

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What was Paul referring to when he talked about endless genealogies?

Question: In reading Albert Barnes’ Notes on I Timothy, he talks about genealogies which are referring to the verse I Timothy 1:4 “nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.” Albert Barnes states that the Hebrews kept careful genealogical records because…

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