### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb homologouménōs (`{{G3672}}`) is derived from the verb homologeō (`{{G3670}}`), meaning "to confess," "to agree," or "to acknowledge." The adverbial form, particularly as a present passive participle, signifies something that is "confessedly," "by common consent," or "without dispute." It denotes a truth or fact that is so widely acknowledged and agreed upon that it stands beyond question or controversy. Its semantic range thus encompasses notions of undeniable truth, universal acceptance within a specific community, and a state of being openly and generally affirmed. It moves beyond a mere personal confession to an established, recognized reality.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term homologouménōs (`{{G3672}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in a profoundly significant passage:
* **[[1 Timothy 3:16]]**: "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."
In this sole occurrence, homologouménōs (translated as "without controversy" in many versions) introduces a foundational statement about the "mystery of godliness." The adverb serves to underscore the absolute certainty and universal acceptance of the subsequent declarations regarding Christ within the early Christian community. It asserts that the truths enumerated – Christ's incarnation, vindication by the Spirit, angelic witness, proclamation to the nations, global belief, and glorious ascension – are not subjects of debate or differing opinions among believers, but rather settled, undeniable tenets of faith. This single usage powerfully emphasizes the non-negotiable and universally affirmed nature of these core Christological doctrines.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical root for homologouménōs (`{{G3672}}`) is homologeō (`{{G3670}}`), which carries the meaning of "to speak the same thing," "to agree," or "to confess." From this verb, we also derive the noun homologia (`{{G3671}}`), meaning "confession" or "profession" (e.g., [[Hebrews 3:1]], [[Hebrews 4:14]]). While homologeō and homologia refer to the *act* of confessing or the *content* of a confession, homologouménōs describes the *state* of something being confessed or agreed upon by all.
Conceptually, homologouménōs stands in contrast to ideas of dispute, contradiction (antilogia `{{G485}}`), or strife (eritheia `{{G2052}}`). It aligns with concepts of truth (alētheia `{{G225}}`), certainty (bebaios `{{G949}}`), and divine revelation, emphasizing that the truths it qualifies are not matters of human speculation but divinely revealed and universally accepted within the believing community.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of homologouménōs (`{{G3672}}`) in [[1 Timothy 3:16]] imbues it with profound theological weight. By stating that "without controversy great is the mystery of godliness," the apostle Paul establishes the core tenets of Christology as foundational, indisputable truths for the church. This is not merely a personal conviction but a communal confession, indicating a settled doctrine that defines Christian identity and belief.
The "mystery of godliness" refers to the revelation of God's saving plan embodied in Jesus Christ. The six clauses that follow homologouménōs describe the essential phases of Christ's work: His incarnation ("manifest in the flesh"), His vindication ("justified in the Spirit"), His divine recognition ("seen of angels"), His universal proclamation ("preached unto the Gentiles"), His global acceptance ("believed on in the world"), and His ultimate exaltation ("received up into glory"). The use of homologouménōs asserts that these are not open to debate within the household of God, which is "the pillar and ground of the truth" ([[1 Timothy 3:15]]). It signifies that these truths form the very bedrock of Christian faith, universally acknowledged and confessed by all who genuinely belong to Christ. It speaks to the objective, revealed nature of these truths, rather than their subjective interpretation.
### Summary
Homologouménōs (`{{G3672}}`) is a potent Greek adverb meaning "confessedly," "without controversy," or "undeniably." Its singular, yet highly significant, occurrence in [[1 Timothy 3:16]] serves to underscore the absolute certainty and universal acceptance of the "mystery of godliness" – the core truths concerning Jesus Christ's incarnation, vindication, proclamation, belief, and ascension. This word highlights that these foundational Christological doctrines are not subjects of dispute but are divinely revealed and universally affirmed within the Christian community, forming the undisputed bedrock of faith.
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