Prior to Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, it was impossible for a human being to develop characteristics of godliness. Paul referred to godliness, the spontaneous feeling of the heart toward God (G2150), as a mystery (1 Timothy 3:15). Paul also linked godliness with the Christian dispensation and more specifically with the gospel of Jesus Christ, indicating that godliness is the result of the work that Jesus did when he came to earth 2000 years ago. Paul said:

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. (1 Timothy 3:16)

The fact that Jesus was able to become a human being, was able to live a perfect life and subsequently to die for the sins of the world is something that our finite human minds have a hard time comprehending, but historical records confirm that these things did actually happen and we know that these events were the beginning of what is now known as Christianity, a belief system that has continued to spread throughout the world since these events took place.

Paul said believers must train themselves for godliness because it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Paul told Timothy, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:7-10). Even though it was hard for Paul to develop godliness, he assured Timothy that it was worth the effort. Paul emphasized the reliability of his statement about godliness by indicating that it was “trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance” (1 Timothy 4:9). This was the second time in his letter to Timothy that Paul used that statement. The first time was in reference to Jesus Christ coming into the world to save sinners (1Timothy 1:15). Paul’s duplicate use of the previous statement was like him putting bookends on an important collection of thoughts that he wanted to keep intact and transfer to Timothy as the essence of his life’s work.

Paul wrapped up his discussion of the mystery of godliness by focusing on the believer’s motive for pursuing godliness. Paul was concerned because some people thought godliness was a means of gaining an advantage as a believer. Paul told Timothy, “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:3-8). Paul said those who imagined that godliness would help them to get ahead in their walk with the Lord were depraved in mind and deprived of the truth” (1 Timothy 6:5). In other words, Paul was saying that these individuals were not true believers.

Paul pointed out in his second letter to Timothy that there was a form of godliness that did not come from worshiping God. Paul talked about this issue in the context of the godlessness of the last days. Paul said, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-7). Paul told Timothy to avoid people who appear to be godly, but want nothing to do with God. Paul said these kind of people are dangerous because they try to make themselves out to be more godly than others and prey on “weak women, burdened by sins” (2 Timothy 3:6).

In his final instructions to Timothy, Paul reminded Timothy that suffering should be expected to be a part of a believer’s pursuit of godliness. “Paul encouraged Timothy that though there is suffering in this life, there is also the assurance of future blessing. The believer who continues trusting in Christ and remains faithful to his call will certainly receive a blessed reward in heaven” (note on 2 Timothy 2:12, 13). Paul also made note of the fact that the Lord had rescued him from all of his sufferings (2 Timothy 3:11) and, told Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:12-13). Paul’s comparison of people who want to live a godly life with evil people and imposters accentuated the mystery of godliness in that it revealed the supernatural aspect of someone desiring to live a godly life knowing that he will be persecuted. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that a godly life can be attained.