The Mystery Revealed

Study of Ephesians

Week 9

Ephesians 3:1-13

“For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—” Ephesians 3:1

For this reason… what reason is Paul referring to?

Let’s take one step back to the last verse of Ephesians 2.

“…You also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

Paul is speaking about each of us individually being built together as a dwelling place for God.

In Ephesians 2, Paul emphasizes to the Gentiles (someone other than a Jew), their position in Christ. He identified them as “fellow citizens” and “of God’s household.” However, in Ephesians 3, Paul elaborates, using the term, “mystery” to reveal what in his own words was entrusted to him by God’s grace.  

Let’s take a look.

In Ephesians 3:3, Paul writes, “that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery as I wrote before…”

Again, in verse 4-5a, Paul continues, “and by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known…”

And finally, Ephesians 3:9-10, “…and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known…” 

As we have discussed previously, before Christ, the Gentiles’ spiritual background consisted of pagan idol worship and forms of mysticism. As many came to Christ, Paul taught a new way of thinking. He started with their identity as a Christ follower, and then moved to their identity of being a part of God’s broader plan, the church. However, his word choice, “mystery”, I’m sure got their attention.

In the Greek, “mystery” “is not something unknowable. Rather it is what can only be known through revelation because God reveals it.” (1)

In this case, God used Paul to reveal the “mystery.”

Ephesians 3:6 states,  “To be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Paul delivers God’s purpose known in Him from the beginning of time but now being revealed, “that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places.” (Ephesians 3:10)

Paul penned a similar message in 1 Corinthians 2:7.

“…A mystery hidden…God designed for our glory before time began.”

Here, Paul reveals God’s plan to the Gentiles.

This is about the church. God’s church, founded upon Jesus Christ, “being fitted together.” (Ephesians 2:21) And the Gentiles were always a part of God’s redemptive story.

The Gentiles becoming God’s people was always a part of God’s plan.

God revealed the mystery, His purpose and His plan,

a body of believers built upon faith in Jesus Christ.

Footnotes:

(1) – “Mystery”, HELPS Word-Study, BibleHub.com . Accessed February 2022, https://biblehub.com/greek/3466.htm

Question for discussion: (your email is never posted or shared)

Has God’s plan for your life ever been a “mystery” to you, yet later revealed for your benefit?