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.
Ver. 16. And without controversy] Learned Cameron beginneth this verse at those words before, "The pillar and ground of truth, and confessedly great is that mystery of godliness, God manifested in the flesh," &c. It being a usual form of speech among the Jews (as he proveth out of Maimonides) to preface these very words, "The pillar and ground of truth," to any special doctrine touching religion. The word here rendered "without controversy," signifieth "confessedly," q.d. It is so under the broad seal of public confession.
Great is the mystery of godliness] A mystery, because above natural capacity. And a "mystery of godliness" the gospel is called, because, being believed, it transformeth men into the same image, and stirs up in them admirable affections of piety.
God manifested] Out of the bosom of his Father, out of the womb of his mother, out of the types of the law, &c.
In the flesh] Christ condescended to our rags, he put on a lousy suit of ours, induit sordes nostras, he took our flesh, when it was tainted with treason; our base nature, after it was fallen; which was a wonderful fruit of love: as if one should wear a man's colours or livery after he is proclaimed traitor, it is a great grace to such a man; so here. (Dr Sibbs.)
Justified in the Spirit] Or, "by the Spirit," that is, by the divine nature, Romans 1:4, and by the Holy Ghost too; the second person raised up itself, but yet it was by the Holy Ghost too; which he used, not as an instrument, but as a common principle with himself, of equal dignity, only differing in order of persons. We shall also be justified and cleared of all false imputations at the resurrection, which shall be of names as well as of bodies. The sun shall scatter all the clouds, &c.