![]() That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body: This describes the mystery itself - that believing Jews and believing Gentiles are joined together into one body of Christ, into one Church, and no longer separated before God as such.ī. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.Ī. ( Ephesians 3:6-7) The mystery described. In the Old Testament, the salvation of Gentiles in the Messiah is prophesied, the coming together of Jew and Gentile into the Church is never spoken of.Ģ. Was not made known to the sons of men, as it now has been revealed: The nature of the union of Jews and Gentiles into this new body is the aspect that was not made known. Paul trusted that his readers would understand what God revealed to him. This was something hinted at through others, but only specifically detailed through Paul’s revelation. However, it seems that God used Paul to declare specifically how Jews and Gentiles would be joined together in one body of Christ. ![]() It was also given specifically to Peter by revelation ( Acts 11:1-18), and it is consistent with prophecy in the Old Testament (such as Isaiah 49:6) and the specific words of Jesus ( Acts 1:8). But it was not given to only him by revelation. He made known to me the mystery: Paul did not hesitate to claim that the mystery he will reveal was given to him by revelation. Although still a ‘secret’, it is no longer closely guarded but open… More simply, mysterion is a truth hitherto hidden from human knowledge or understanding but now disclosed by the revelation of God.” (Stott) The Greek word mysterion is different, however. What is ‘mysterious’ is inexplicable, even incomprehensible. ![]() “In English a ‘mystery’ is something dark, obscure, secret, puzzling. However, it would never be known if God did not make it known. He made known to me the mystery: The principle Paul will describe is a mystery, yet it is known. It is indeed amazing that God would take a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee, and a persecutor of the church to be the main minister of the mystery, the mystery of the work of the gospel in bringing Jew and Gentile together into one new body.į. God gave me the revelation and I am only His messenger of this truth.” It cost Paul a lot to hold on to this mystery, so he probably would not have made it up himself. How that by revelation: Paul wanted them to know, “I’m not making this up. Paul, for the purpose of preaching the Gospel among the Gentiles… or the knowledge which God gave him of that gracious and Divine plan which he had formed for the conversion of the Gentiles.” (Clarke)Į. “By the dispensation of the grace of God we may understand, either the apostolic office and gifts granted to St. “Here as in Ephesians 1:10, however, it is to be interpreted rather as the implementation of a strategy.” (Wood) You have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you: The word dispensation speaks of the “implemented strategy” of God’s plan in the church. If indeed you have heard: This suggests Paul knew his particular calling to the Gentile world was well known among Gentile Christians.ĭ. He wanted his readers to realize that it was a benefit for them that he was a prisoner.Ĭ. The last thing Paul wanted was people to feel sorry for him because he was imprisoned. Paul suffered for the very truth he would explain to the Ephesians, and this did not make him back down one bit. For you Gentiles: The entire reason he was under arrest and awaiting trial was because of his missionary efforts on behalf of the Gentiles. He knew that Jesus was the Lord of his life, not the Roman government, so if he was a prisoner, he was Jesus’ prisoner.ī. Yet he saw himself as the prisoner of Jesus Christ. In the day he was free to move around the house with the supervision of soldiers, but every night he was chained to a soldier to make sure he did not escape before his trial before Caesar. I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles: During his Roman imprisonment Paul was under house arrest. ( Ephesians 3:1-5) Preface to the revelation of the mystery.įor this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:Ī. God’s mystery and man’s place in it revealed.ġ.
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