1 Tim. 3:16. God was manifested in the flesh.
Since Paul, in giving instruction about priests, said nothing of the sort that is found in the book of Leviticus — therefore, he says, let no one be surprised if I do not discuss such unimportant matters. What is great is ours, and there is nothing of that sort there. Here God was manifested. In what way? In the flesh; for in His Divinity He is invisible.
1 Tim. 3:16. Justified Himself in the Spirit.
Either He means that, having done everything for the salvation of men, although He did not persuade some of the obstinate, He nevertheless justified Himself as one who had fulfilled His task; or that He committed no sin, "and no deceit was found in His mouth" (Isa. 53:9). And the righteous under the law were in bondage in spirit. For the law contained threats and punishments but did not possess the spirit of adoption. But the Lord fulfilled all righteousness in the Holy Spirit, being consubstantial with Him and having Him in Himself by nature, and through Himself granting to us also the ability to be justified through Him. For the righteous according to the Gospel, being spiritual, far surpass those who were once justified under the law.
1 Tim. 3:16. Appeared to Angels.
O mystery! Together with us, the angels too saw the Son of God, not having seen Him before. For the Gospel says: "and... angels came and ministered unto Him" (Matt. 4:11). And not here only, but from His very birth until His ascension they ministered to Him. At the time of His birth, angels sing a hymn to Him and bring glad tidings of Him to the shepherds; and at the time of His ascension they minister to Him.
1 Tim. 3:16. Preached among the nations, believed on in the world.
"Preached among the nations" who were in despair and delusion, and not only "preached," but also "believed on in the world," which serves as a great sign of the power of the One preached and of the truth of the preaching.
1 Tim. 3:16. Was received up in glory.
That is, on clouds, when angels also ministered to Him. Of course, He ascended into heaven not like Elijah, as though into heaven, lest one say that the ascension itself is also glory.