1 Timothy 3:16 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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."

This verse is a powerful and profound declaration of the central mystery of the Christian faith - the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a cornerstone of Christian belief that God became a human being in the form of Jesus, and this verse encapsulates that belief in a succinct and powerful manner.

The verse begins with the phrase, "without controversy great is the mystery of godliness." This suggests that the truth of the incarnation is widely acknowledged and accepted among Christians, and is not a matter of debate or dispute. The use of the word "mystery" here is significant, as it points to the ineffable and profound nature of the incarnation - it is a truth that is beyond human comprehension, yet is central to the Christian understanding of God and salvation.

The verse then goes on to explain the nature of this mystery, stating, "God was manifest in the flesh." This phrase encapsulates the essence of the incarnation - that the eternal, omnipotent, and transcendent God took on human form and entered into the world as a vulnerable and mortal human being. This is a radical and transformative concept, as it speaks to the intimate and personal nature of God's relationship with humanity, and the lengths to which God was willing to go in order to redeem and reconcile humanity to himself.

The verse then continues, stating that Jesus was "justified in the Spirit." This speaks to the divine nature of Jesus, and suggests that his actions and ministry were upheld and validated by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. It also points to the righteousness and holiness of Jesus, and his perfect obedience to the will of God.

The phrase "seen of angels" emphasizes the supernatural and transcendent nature of the incarnation, and suggests that the angels themselves bore witness to the remarkable and unprecedented event of God becoming human. This underscores the cosmic significance of the incarnation, and the profound impact it had on the entire created order.

The verse then declares that Jesus was "preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world." This highlights the universal and inclusive nature of the gospel message, and the fact that the incarnation was not limited to a particular group or ethnicity, but was intended for the salvation of all humanity. It also emphasizes the transformative power of the incarnation, as it led to the widespread acceptance and belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Finally, the verse concludes by stating that Jesus was "received up into glory." This refers to the ascension of Jesus into heaven following his resurrection, and points to the exaltation and glorification of Jesus as a result of his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. It suggests that the incarnation was not a temporary or fleeting event, but had eternal and cosmic implications for the nature of God and the destiny of humanity.

Overall, 1 Timothy 3:16 is a powerful and evocative declaration of the central mystery of the Christian faith - the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. It captures the transformative and profound nature of this event, and underscores its universal and cosmic significance for the salvation and redemption of humanity. As such, it stands as a foundational and essential statement of Christian belief, and continues to inspire and challenge believers to this day.