The Mystery

Since I was young, I have loved mysteries. I enjoy mystery books like Nancy Drew as a kid to Sherlock Holmes as an adult. My favorite TV shows and movies are mysteries. I watch and rewatch the same ones or re-read the same books. I like following the clues and trying to solve the mystery before it is revealed by the characters. Growing up, I would watch the original Scooby Doo Mysteries over and over – the ones with fun 70’s music during the chase scenes. The meddling kids and their dog always found themselves caught up in a mystery. They’d search for clues, and eventually set a trap (which never went as planned) for the bad guys. When the kids had trapped the bad guy and reveal who it really was and how they had committed their crime.

David Powlison wrote about Ephesians saying: “The letter to the Ephesians tears the doors off mysteries. The love of Christ beyond knowing, now known. The unfathomable riches of Christ, now fathomed. Things exceedingly far beyond all you can ask or image, now revealed in front of your eyes.”[1] As we continue in this first part of Ephesians 3, Paul clarifies the mystery God has revealed in Christ, a mystery much more astounding and revolutionary to the Jews and Gentiles of Paul’s time than Scooby Doo pulling the mask off the bad guy.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. [2]

Ephesians 3:1-13 (emphasis added)

Paul, a prisoner of Christ and a steward of God’s grace, wanted to explain more fully the mystery revealed to him by God. He began with: “When you read this…” This is likely referring to the public reading of his letter as it was written as a circulatory letter to the churches in the whole area. This was not uncommon for Paul’s letters (Colossians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:27).

Next, Paul states that when they read his letter, they can perceive his insight into the mystery of Christ. Paul’s insight was given by God. The phrase “insight into” was also used in the Old Testament, in Daniel particularly (Daniel 1:4, 17; 9:23; 10:1 – translated as understand(ing) or insight). In the context of Daniel, it was the ability to interpret and understand God’s revelation in the forms of dreams and visions.

John MacArthur has a helpful definition: “Sunesis (insight) literally means to bring together and metaphorically refers to comprehension and understanding, mentally bringing knowledge together in order to grasp its full meaning and significance. Spiritual insight must always precede practical application, because what is not properly understood cannot be properly applied.”[3]

Two further notes on the insight given to Paul: 1) It holds the same weight and authority as the Old Testament Scriptures and Jesus’ teaching (2 Peter 3:15-16). 2) It flowed out of Paul in his passion to preach the Gospel wherever he was, whoever he was with. In studying Acts with our youth group kiddos, we’ve seen Paul preach in the synagogues, in homes, by the river, and in jail. He preached to Jews and Gentiles, to rulers and prison guards. He was willing to sacrifice even his life to share the insight God had given him.

Paul’s insight was into “the mystery of Christ” (explained in verse 6). The mystery as not a new gospel or a new plan from God. This mystery traced back to God’s promise (His plan) to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3, emphasis added). The mystery Paul explained was how God accomplished the plan set forth with Abraham – to bless all the families of the earth.

The mystery of Christ “which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (vs 5). In thinking through verse 5, it helped me to make a chart showing the three contrasts that make up the verse.

Let’s consider a few of the words or phrases in verse 5. The word “as” suggests that the mystery hadn’t previously been revealed which is supported in verse 9. This doesn’t mean there weren’t hints or references to the mystery (Genesis 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; Isaiah 52:10). There were, but they can only clearly be understood through the lens of the New Testament. We have been blessed with the entirety of Scripture, but imagine how difficult it would be for Jewish believers to accept it including Peter (Acts 10). Let me give you a couple of examples.

“has now been revealed… by the Spirit” – This is another divine passive phrase meaning that God revealed. It was not man’s invention (2 Peter 1:20-21). The revelation fulfills Jesus’ words (John 14:25-26; 15:26-27).

“to his holy apostles and prophets” (vs 2:20) – Holy is used here to mean set apart not pure. The apostles as recipients of God’s divine revelation had a unique calling different from other believers.

After the introduction in the first five verses, Paul pulled back the curtain, and began to explain the mystery more fully: “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (vs 6).

Paul adds to what he has already written describing the Gentiles (vs 2:11-22). They are fellow heirs. This follows the theme of inheritance (vs 1:11, 14, 18; 5:5; Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:18; Colossians 3:24). Gentiles are now recipients of all God’s spiritual blessings (vs 1:3). They have equal legal standing with Jewish believers. They are heirs according to promise (Galatians 3:29). They are sons of God with all the rights and privileges of sonship (Galatians 4:4-7).

Gentiles are members of the same body. Literally, this reads as “fellow body-members” a rare phrase and possibly made up by Paul. This continues the idea of “one new man” (vs 2:15) or “one body” (vs 2:16). Gentiles aren’t just co-heirs, but they are intimately united to Christ and to other believers as the body of Christ, the church (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31).

Gentiles are partakers of the promise. MacArthur says this description is more like a summary of the first two. It recalls the description in Chapter 2: “strangers to the covenants of promise” (vs 2:12). Gentiles now partake in the entirety pertaining to Jesus and the Gospel. Gentiles are partakers because of their union with Christ and hearing, receiving, and believing the Gospel not from adhering to the Law.

What God through Paul did in these few verses summarized the letter to this point. In Christ, through His suffering, atoning death, resurrection, and ascension, God has created a new thing, the church. In so doing, He has created unity and oneness between Jew and Gentile believers. We are not just ending up in the same place. We are one body, all with value, all needed by the other parts of the body, using our gifts to serve each other. Together being a Gospel light in the darkness.

Reflection

1.    We read MacArthur’s quote that “spiritual insight must always precede practical application, because what is not properly understood cannot be properly applied.” What are you doing not only to read God’s Word but to better understand it? How are you applying what you understand?

2.    In your own life, how have you seen a wrong understanding of God’s Word result in wrongly applying it?

3.    We saw that Paul’s passion for preaching the Gospel came from his insight. He was excited about the Gospel. He was excited about God’s Word. It had directly and dramatically impacted his life. How has growing in your understanding of God’s Word and the Gospel impacted how you talk and act with others, your plans and goals, how you spend your time, and what you are willing to sacrifice?

[1] Powlison, David. Take Heart: Daily Devotions to Deepen Your Faith. (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2022).

[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 3:1–13.

[3] John F. MacArthur Jr., Ephesians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 90.