Reformation Seminary - John 6 - Second Part

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KJV John 6:22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. [Objective Faithless Justification - demolished]

30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

35 And Jesus said unto them, I AM the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - "Therefore it was a foolish commandment, a grievous, hard and unbearable commandment. But what did Abraham do? He closes his senses, takes his reason captive, and obeys the voice of God, goes, and does as God commanded him."

Luther's Sermons - Matthew 22:34-46.
Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

TEXT - Matthew 22:34-46

8. It was also a foolish command God gave to Abraham, to slay his son, Genesis 22:2. For if reason had been the judge in this, both it and all mankind would have come to no other conclusion than this: It is an unfriendly and hostile command, how can it be from God, since God himself said to Abraham that he would multiply his seed through this son, and it would become as innumerable as the stars of the firmament and as the sand by the sea. Therefore it was a foolish commandment, a grievous, hard and unbearable commandment. But what did Abraham do? He closes his senses, takes his reason captive, and obeys the voice of God, goes, and does as God commanded him. By this he proved that he obeyed from the heart; otherwise, even if he had put his son to death a hundred times, God would not have cared for it; but God was pleased that the deed came from his heart and was done in true love to God; yea, it came from a heart that must have thought: Even if my son dies, God is almighty and faithful, he will keep his word, he will find ways and means beyond that which I am able to devise; only obey, there is no danger. Had he not had this boldness and this faith, how could his fatherheart have killed his only and well beloved son?

9. The Jews later wanted to follow this example and, like Abraham, offered their children unto God, hoping thereby to perform a service well-pleasing to God; but it was far from it. These poor people came to the conclusion:

The service of Abraham was pleasing to God, therefore will ours also be, and consequently they killed one child after another. O, how many healthy, noble and beautiful children perished! The prophets protested against this service, they preached, warned and wrote against it, telling the people that it was deception, but all was in vain. Yea, many a prophet lost his life because of this, as the history in the books of the kings shows.

10. But why was this service of the Jews displeasing to God? For the reason that it did not come from their heart, and was not done out of love to God; but they simply looked upon the service, and did it without the command and word of God; but God saith: My dear sirs, I was not concerned about the fact that Abraham offered up his son, but that he proved by this act that he loved me with his whole heart. There must be first love in the heart, then follows the service that will be pleasing to God; for all the works of the law tend to the end thereby to prove our love to God, which is in the heart; which love the law requires, and will have above everything else.

Gardening, Blossoms, and Fragrant Surprises

 

Ruby spice

I was gathering roses for yesterday's service when I was stopped by a powerful, intense, and unexpected fragrance. I was used to various delights during the summer, but this was...could it be? Yes, my biggest Clethra, now a giant shrub, was sending out the sweetest, most cinnamon aroma. The tiny flowers were gone, but the butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees had enjoyed their stay. No wonder they are called 

• Summersweet, 
• Sweet pepperbush,
• Coastal sweet pepperbush, and
• Sweet spice.

Three Enchanted Peace roses had a terrible time with Japanese beetles and then drought, but they began blooming in earnest in the last week. They are prolific, already at 7 feet, fragrant, and always displaying a variety of colors.

Veterans Honor continues to be the star of all red roses.
Two more opened up today.

My neighbor says, "They are so delicate and beautiful, they don't look real." The David Austin English roses had a tough summer and I was expecting very few more. I glanced out the back door and saw 10 roses, two different colors, and fragrant beyond belief. I cut them for the vase and passed them to the neighbor. Their three daughters love the roses. The oldest had to hold back her tears when she got her first vase of roses a few months ago. 

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 18 - "This Gospel consists of two questions. In the first the lawyer on behalf of the other Pharisees asks Christ: Which is the great commandment in the law? In the second the Lord asks the Pharisees and the lawyer: Whose son is David? These two questions concern every Christian; for he who wishes to be a Christian must thoroughly understand them. First, what the law is, and the purpose it serves; and secondly, who Christ is, and what we may expect from him."

Luther's Sermons - Matthew 22:34-46.
Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

TEXT - Matthew 22:34-46

34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

1. This Gospel consists of two questions. In the first the lawyer on behalf of the other Pharisees asks Christ: Which is the great commandment in the law? In the second the Lord asks the Pharisees and the lawyer: Whose son is David? These two questions concern every Christian; for he who wishes to be a Christian must thoroughly understand them. First, what the law is, and the purpose it serves; and secondly, who Christ is, and what we may expect from him.

2. Christ explains here to the Pharisees the law, telling them what the sum of the whole law is, so that they are completely silenced both at his speech and his question, and know less than nothing of what the law is and who Christ is. From this it follows, that although unbelief may appear as wisdom and holiness before the world, it is nevertheless folly and unrighteousness before God, especially where the knowledge of the two questions mentioned above is wanting.

For he who does not know how he stands before the law, and what he may expect from Christ, surely has not the wisdom of God, no matter how wise and prudent he may pretend to be. Let us therefore consider the first question, namely: What the law is; what it commands and how it is to be spiritually interpreted.

3. When the lawyer asked Christ, which was the great commandment in the law, the Lord said to him: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.”

4. As if the Lord would say: He who possesses love to God, and love to his neighbor, has all things, and therefore fulfills the law; for the whole law and all the prophets point to these two themes, namely: how God and our neighbor are to be loved.

5. Now one may wish to ask: How can you harmonize this statement, that all things are to be comprehended in these two commandments, since there was given to the Jews circumcision and many other commandments? To answer this, let us see in the first place how Christ explains the law, namely, that it must be kept with the heart. In other words, the law must be spiritually comprehended; for he who does not lay hold of the law with the heart and with the Spirit, will certainly not fulfill it. Therefore the Lord here gives to the lawyer the ground and real substance of the law, and says that these are the greatest commandments, to love God with the heart and our neighbor as ourselves.

The 50th Anniversary of Seminex - Endless Navel Gazing. Inbreeding - Braun Earned a Concordia Seminary PhD

This is why female bishops seem inappropriate.

Tom Fisher Points Out That the Lax and Corrupt NT Translations Omit God and Faith

 

Dear Pastor Jackson,

Jesus is God and man in one person! Luther taught us to believe this. Scripture also clearly teaches this in Colossians 2:9:

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:1-15

Notice that precious little word "Godhead" in Colossians 2:9 immediately brings to mind the Holy Trinity: God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus bodily!

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9

This is the Jesus we believe in: God and man in one person! We confess this in the Athanasian Creed:

"Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believes faithfully the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man.

God of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man of the substance of His mother, born in the world;

Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.

Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood;

Who, although He be God and Man, yet He is not two, but one Christ:

One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking the manhood into God;

One altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person.

For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ;

Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead;

He ascended into heaven; He sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty; from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give account of their own works." (The Lutheran Hymnal, CPH, 1941, pg. 53)

Notice that precious little word 'Godhead' occurs three times in the Athanasian Creed. It is there because it is in God's Word: Colossians 2:9:

 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9 KJV

Is this little word 'Godhead' precious to your faith? It is precious to my faith!! I am at this moment opening my Bible to Colossians 2:9 and read as follows:

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, Colossians 2:9 NIV

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

Let's try another Bible from my vast library. So I select another Bible and read:

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, Colossians 2:9 ESV

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

Let's try another Bible. So I select another Bible and read:

9 For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, Colossians 2:9 RSV

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

My library is vast so let's try another Bible. So I select another Bible and read:

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, Colossians 2:9 NASB

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

Will I ever find it??? Well, let's try another Bible. So I select another Bible and read:

For in him, bodily, lives the fullness of all that God is. Colossians 2:9 Complete Jewish Bible 

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

Will I ever find it??? Maybe it's really NOT in God's Word! Well, let's try another Bible. So I select another Bible and read:

9-10 Yet it is in him that God gives a full and complete expression of himself (within the physical limits that he set himself in Christ). Moreover, your own completeness is only realised in him, who is the authority over all authorities, and the supreme power over all powers. Colossians 2:9 PHILLIPS 

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

Will I ever find it??? Maybe it's really NOT in God's Word! The majority of Bibles omit it. Well, let's try another Bible. So I select another Bible and read:

9 For the full content of divine nature lives in Christ, in his humanity, Colossians 2:9 Good News Translation 

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

Will I ever find it??? Maybe it's really NOT in God's Word! The majority of Bibles omit it. Maybe scholars have found older more accurate manuscripts that omit it. Well, let's try another Bible. So I select another Bible and read:

Make sure that no one leads you astray with an empty and deceitful philosophy that depends on human tradition[a] and worldly principles, and not on Christ.

God Has Given You Life in Christ. 9 For it is in him that the entire fullness of deity dwells in bodily form,[b] 10 and you share this fullness in him who is the head of every ruler and power.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Colossians 2:8 Human tradition: literally, “philosophy,” a word that occurs only here in the New Testament. In this context, it refers not to systematic thought but to religious speculations.
2. Colossians 2:9 The entire fullness of deity dwells in bodily form: i.e., in the risen and glorified body of Christ. Colossians 2:9 New Catholic Bible

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

Will I ever find it??? Maybe it's really NOT in God's Word! The majority of Bibles omit it. Maybe scholars have found older more accurate manuscripts that omit it. Maybe modern scholars have better more accurate and scientific methods to produce more accurate translations. Well, let's try another Bible. So I select another Bible and read:

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, Colossians 2:9 NRSV 

WHAT!!! Where is my precious little Word 'Godhead'??

Will I ever find it??? Maybe it's really NOT in God's Word! The majority of Bibles omit it. Maybe scholars have found older more accurate manuscripts that omit it. Maybe modern scholars have better more accurate and scientific methods to produce more accurate translations. Maybe their Dynamic equivalent paraphrasing more accurately translates the Greek text. Well, let's try another Bible. So I select another Bible and read:

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9 King James Bible 

I finally found it!! It's been in the King James Bible for over 400 years!! Wait a minute! The King James Bible is the Bible of the reformation to the English speaking world at a time when English became the international language. It's the only English translation with the seal and approval of the most powerful King in the world: King James of England!!! Tyndale prayed while being burnt at the stake for God to open the eyes of the King of England. God answered Tyndale's prayer as he gave his life for translating the Word of God into English. God has promised to preserve His Word He inspired the apostles and prophets to write in Psalm 12:

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Psalms 12:6,7

Wow!! I will trust God and His Word rather than men no matter how smart, erudite, and scientific they appear to be!!!! Away with your 'older more accurate manuscripts' footnote nonsense. Doubt creating footnotes are NEVER found in the Bibles (TEXTUS RECEPTUS, King James Bible, Luther's Bible) chosen by God. God's Word is pure, certain, and eternal. Away with your dynamic equivalent paraphrasing. God's Bible translations (King James Bible, Luther's 1545 German Bible, etc) are exact, literal translations of the Greek Text (TEXTUS RECEPTUS) and Hebrew Masoretic Text. Away with your older, more accurate, scientific Greek Texts (Vaticanus, Sinaticus, Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society etc.). God REJECTED all of these corrupted Greek texts and CHOSE the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS to be the foundation of all translations ( King James Bible, Luther's 1545 German Bible, etc) for the reformation of the world. 

Perhaps Colossians 2:9 is an isolated occurrence. Let's take a look at all the English translations and see how many omit that precious little word 'God' from 1 Timothy 3:16:

And beyond controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

ASV

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

AMP

And great, we confess, is the mystery [the hidden truth] of godliness: He (Jesus Christ) who was revealed in human flesh, Was justified and vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

AMPC

And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory.

BRG

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.

CSB

And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

CEB

Without question, the mystery of godliness is great: he was revealed as a human, declared righteous by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached throughout the nations, believed in around the world, and taken up in glory.

CJB

Great beyond all question is the formerly hidden truth underlying our faith: He was manifested physically and proved righteous spiritually, seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations, trusted throughout the world and raised up in glory to heaven.

CEV

Here is the great mystery of our religion: Christ came as a human. The Spirit proved that he pleased God, and he was seen by angels. Christ was preached to the nations. People in this world put their faith in him, and he was taken up to glory.

DARBY

And confessedly the mystery of piety is great. God has been manifested in flesh, has been justified in [the] Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among [the] nations, has been believed on in [the] world, has been received up in glory.

DLNT

And the mystery of godliness is confessedly great: Who was revealed in the flesh, was declared-righteous in the spirit; was seen by messengers, was proclaimed among the nations; was believed in the world, was taken-up in glory.

DRA

And evidently great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory.

ERV

Without a doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great: Christ was shown to us in human form; the Spirit proved that he was right; he was seen by angels. The message about him was told to the nations; people in the world believed in him; he was taken up to heaven in glory.

EASY

Yes, the message that God has shown us about Jesus Christ is very great. We all agree to this: God showed him to us as a man. God's Spirit showed that he always did what was right. Angels saw him. People taught his message in many countries of the world. People in the world believed in him. God took him up to be with himself in heaven.

EHV

Undeniably, great is the mystery of godliness: He was revealed in flesh, was justified in spirit, was seen by messengers, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

ESV

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.

ESVUK

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.

EXB

·Without doubt [or And we all agree], ·the secret of our life of worship [or the truth revealed in our faith/worship; L the mystery of godliness; v. 9] is great [C what follows may be from an early Christian hymn]: He ·was shown to us [appeared; was revealed] in ·a human body [T the flesh], ·proved right [vindicated] ·in spirit [or by the Spirit], and seen by angels. He was proclaimed ·to [among] the ·nations [Gentiles], believed in ·by [or in; throughout] the world, and taken up in glory.

GNV

And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

GW

The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great: He  appeared in his human nature, was approved by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was announced throughout the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken to heaven in glory.

GNT

No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion: He appeared in human form, was shown to be right by the Spirit, and was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, and was taken up to heaven.

HCSB

And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

ICB

Without doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great: He was shown to us in a human body, proved right by the Spirit, and seen by angels. He was preached to the nations, believed in by the world, and taken to heaven in glory.

ISV

By common confession, the secret of our godly worship is great: In flesh was he revealed to sight, vindicated by the Spirit’s might, adored by angels singing. To nations was he manifest, believing souls found peace and rest, our Lord in heaven reigning!

PHILLIPS

At the moment of writing I hope to be with you soon, but if there should be any considerable delay then what I have written will show you the sort of character men of God’s household ought to have. It is, remember, the Church of the living God, the pillar and the foundation of the truth. No one can deny that this religion of ours is a tremendous mystery, resting as it does on the one who showed himself as a human being, and met, as such, every demand of the Spirit in the sight of angels as well as of men. Then, after his restoration to the Heaven from whence he came, he has been proclaimed among men of different nationalities and believed in all parts of the world.

JUB

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.

KJV

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.

AKJV

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.

LSB

And by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

LEB

And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness: Who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the Gentiles, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

TLB

It is quite true that the way to live a godly life is not an easy matter. But the answer lies in Christ, who came to earth as a man, was proved spotless and pure in his Spirit, was served by angels, was preached among the nations, was accepted by men everywhere, and was received up again to his glory in heaven.

MSG

I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I’m delayed, I’m writing this letter so you’ll know how things ought to go in God’s household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth. This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough: He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

MEV

Without question, great is the mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.

MOUNCE

And undeniably great is the mystery of godliness, who was revealed in flesh, was vindicated in spirit, appeared to angels; was preached among the nations, was believed in the world, was taken up in glory.

NOG

The mystery that gives us our reverence for God is acknowledged to be great: He appeared in his human nature, was approved by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was announced throughout the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken to heaven in glory.

NABRE

Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

NASB

Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

NASB1995

By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

NCB

Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was made visible in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

NCV

Without doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great: He was shown to us in a human body, proved right in spirit, and seen by angels. He was proclaimed to the nations, believed in by the world, and taken up in glory.

NET

And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

NIRV

There is no doubt that true godliness comes from this great mystery. Jesus came as a human being. The Holy Spirit proved that he was the Son of God. He was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations. People in the world believed in him. He was taken up to heaven in glory.

NIV

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

NIVUK

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

NKJV

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

NLV

It is important to know the secret of God-like living, which is: Christ came to earth as a Man. He was pure in His Spirit. He was seen by angels. The nations heard about Him. Men everywhere put their trust in Him. He was taken up into heaven.

NLT

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

NMB

And there is no denying, great is the mystery of godliness: God was shown in the flesh, was confirmed in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached to the Gentiles, was believed on in earth, and received up in glory.

NRSVA

Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

NRSVACE

Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

NRSVCE

Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

NRSVUE

Without any doubt, the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

NTFE

Indeed, the mystery of godliness is certainly great: He was revealed in the flesh, and vindicated in the spirit; he appeared to angels, and was announced to Gentiles; he was believed in the world, and taken up in glory.

OJB

And confessedly great is the sod of chasidus [in Moshiach 3:9], who was manifested in basar, was vindicated [proven just] by the Ruach HaKodesh, was seen by malachim, was proclaimed among the Nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in kavod.

RGT

And admittedly, the mystery of godliness is great: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

RSV

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

RSVCE

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

TLV

Now beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He was revealed in the flesh, Vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Trusted throughout the world, Taken up in glory.

VOICE

and I think you will agree that the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in the flesh, proven right in the Spirit; He was seen by the heavenly messengers, preached to outsider nations. He was believed in the world, taken up to the heavens in glory.

WEB

Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

WE

God's plan is very great as we all know. Here it is: we saw God as a man; God's Spirit proved he was right; angels saw him; the nations were told about him; people of the world believed in him; God took him up into heaven.

WYC

And openly it is a great sacrament of piety, that thing that was showed in flesh, it is justified in Spirit [And openly it is a great sacrament of piety, that that is showed in flesh, is justified in Spirit], it appeared to angels, it is preached to heathen men, it is believed in the world, it is taken up into glory.

YLT

and, confessedly, great is the secret of piety -- God was manifested in flesh, declared righteous in spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

The vast majority of English translations omit that precious little word 'God' from 1 Timothy 3:16. REMEMBER God only used ONE English Bible for the reformation: the King James Bible. God has used this Bible( King James Bible) for over 400 years and continues to use it. Would God continue to use an English Bible with errors and omissions in it? Absolutely not!! God continues to confirm His pure Word in the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS and all literal translations (King James Bible, Luther's 1545 Bible, etc) emanating from it. In contrast God continues to expose errors, omissions, and proven false doctrine in the corrupt Greek texts (Vaticanus, Sinaticus, Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society) and all translations (NIV, ESV, NASB, RSV, NKJV, Beck's etc) emanating from them. Remember that all the corrupted Greek texts (Vaticanus, Sinaticus,  Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society, etc.) omit the Greek word 'Theos' (God) from 1 Timothy 3:16. 

και ομολογουμενως μεγα εστιν το της ευσεβειας μυστηριον θεος εφανερωθη εν σαρκι εδικαιωθη εν πνευματι ωφθη αγγελοις εκηρυχθη εν εθνεσιν επιστευθη εν κοσμω ανεληφθη εν δοξη 1 Timothy 3:16 Stephanus 1550 Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS (God chose this text for the reformation and rejected the Vaticanus text) Here is a corrupted Greek Text God rejected during the reformation: 16 καὶ ὁμολογουμένως μέγα ἐστὶν τὸ τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον· [a]Ὃς ἐφανερώθη ἐν σαρκί, ἐδικαιώθη ἐν πνεύματι, ὤφθη ἀγγέλοις, ἐκηρύχθη ἐν ἔθνεσιν, ἐπιστεύθη ἐν κόσμῳ, ἀνελήμφθη ἐν δόξῃ. Read full chapter Footnotes ΠΡΟΣ ΤΙΜΟΘΕΟΝ Α΄ 3:16 Ὃς WH Treg NIV ] θεὸς RP This is from the corrupt SBL Greek New Testament Text. Notice the footnote references the ultra corrupt Westcott-Hort text. Both omit: θεος (pronounced 'Theos' :God) Here is the ultra corrupt Westcott-Hort Greek Text: 16 και ομολογουμενως μεγα εστιν το της ευσεβειας μυστηριον ος εφανερωθη εν σαρκι εδικαιωθη εν πνευματι ωφθη αγγελοις εκηρυχθη εν εθνεσιν επιστευθη εν κοσμω ανελημφθη εν δοξη I must stress that God REJECTED the corrupt Vaticanus Greek Text and the corrupt Greek texts (Westcott-Hort, Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society, etc) emanating from it. All of the modern English Bibles (NIV, ESV, RSV, NASB, Beck's, NKJV, Etc) are obviously also corrupt since they are translated from the corrupt Vaticanus family of Greek Texts (Vaticanus, Sinaticus, Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society etc). All of these corrupt Bibles create doubt in the text of the Word of God. If the text is in doubt then nothing is certain. This sort of doubt completely destroys your Christian faith.  God did not want anyone to doubt the text of His Word so He only allowed one reformation text to be used and flourish during the reformation: the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS and all the translations (King James Bible, Luther's German Bible of 1545, etc) emanating from it. So the TEXTUS RECEPTUS, King James Bible, and Luther's Bible of 1545 reigned supreme and were the ONLY reformation Bibles published for over 300 years until wicked Westcott-Hort created their own corrupted Greek Text in 1881, followed by the corrupt Nestle-Aland Text in 1898. See Pastor Jackson's book (The King James Version, Apostolic Texts, Precise Translation versus Fraudulent Texts and Heretical Translations, Gregory L Jackson, PhD.; ISBN 9798429093451) beginning on page 170 for a detailed history of how the Bible was corrupted by evil wicked men. Now I must become very CONFRONTATIONAL against you wicked, evil Lutheran 'pastors' who stubbornly continue to create doubt in the text of God's Word by using corrupt Bible translations (NIV, ESV, RSV, NKJV, NASB, Beck's, etc). Doesn't it bother you that the ESV, NIV, NKJV, NASB, RSV, etc, all bracket or footnote Mark 16:9-20 as most likely not being in the text at all? Why aren't you alarmed that the word 'God' is omitted from 1 Timothy 3:16? Has your wicked vile reasoning completely destroyed your faith and blinded your understanding to the point you don't even care that the word "Godhead" is omitted from Colossians 2:9? You are all lying and deceiving by God's name by promoting and using corrupt  Bibles that create doubt in the very text of God's Word. All I hear from you blasphemous vipers is: "God's Word only exists in the original autographs. The autographs are gone, therefore all Bibles contain some errors and omissions." You vile liars and deceivers. God has promised to preserve His Word that He inspired the prophets and apostles to write. He has perfectly preserved His Word that He inspired the prophets to write in the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS and the literal translations (King James Bible, Luther's German Bible of 1545, etc) emanating from it. Why do you show such vile satanic hatred against the TEXTUS RECEPTUS, King James Bible, and Luther's 1545 German Bible?? Obviously God clearly CHOSE these Bibles and REJECTED all the corrupted Bibles (Vaticanus, Sinaticus Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society, NIV, ESV, RSV, NKJV, Beck's, etc) that you continue to use and promote. You are lying and deceiving by God's name and Word. Even worse you openly and fearlessly blaspheme God the Holy Ghost who has obviously attached Himself to His pure Word in the TEXTUS RECEPTUS, King James Bible, Luther's 1545, etc). REPENT!! You have fallen from grace. Your vile, wicked reasoning has completely destroyed your Christian faith. There can be no doubt in the text of the Word of God.  The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Psalms 12:6,7  Here stands the invincible Word of God. We must believe God and His Word rather than you vile, wicked Lutheran pastors who lie and deceive by God's name and Word.  In Christ, Tom Fisher