Ephesians 3:9 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ephesians 3:9, NIV: "and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things." (Ephesians 3:1-6 RSV) There, in very brief form, is his statement of the mystery which lies at the heart of all life. We find it in Genesis 3:15. 2]. In structure, this is parallel to the great mystery of 5:32. Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3-4 English Standard Version (ESV) The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed. The reader should do much homework on this subject, MYSTERY. That this is a great mystery indicates that it should be studied and comprehended as far as possible. But it was hid in God till revealed to Paul. In Ephesians Paul speaks of mystery from many viewpoints, including the revelation of the mystery (3:3), the mystery of Christ (v. 4), the economy of the mystery (v. 9), the great mys-tery (5:32), and the mystery of the gospel (6:19), but he begins with a discussion of the mystery of His will (1:9). I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on the blessing section found in Ephesians 1:3-14. 6:19. It is all in Christ, even the blessings (Ephesians 1:3). The word "mystery" - μυστήριον mustērion - means something which is concealed, hidden, before unknown; something into which one must be "initiated" or instructed before he can understand it. This wish or desire of God was concerning His Son; that in the fulness of times, right now, the Son should be Head of all things in heaven and earth. Note that the mysteries of the kingdom were to be made known by 12 apostles. Believers of all nations, all 71 of them which includes Israel, have an equal allotment in an inheritance, joint members of a body or church, and partakers in a promise of eternal life in Christ, made before the ages began (See also 2 Timothy 1:1 & Titus 1:2). Paul was a minister of this gospel according to God's grace (Ephesians 3:7). It is not to be confused with the nation Israel—Israel and the Body of Christ will always remain separate entities. Mystery cannot be conceived apart from that revelation. We could write a booklet on the meaning of the word will as used here and elsewhere, but suffice it to say that the words want or desire come near to filling the bill. They fit well in the ABC, ABC structure form. The enemy did not know what was coming. Filed Under: Bible Study Series in Ephesians, Podcasts. “The NT concept of the mystery is most fully developed in Ephesians. But here is a relationship between the Head and the Body, like that of husband and wife. Much depended on his faithfulness and ability to make it known. Ephesians is for those who have enlightened eyes that they may see the revelation of the Mystery. It is written for those who are faithful (i.e.full of faith). As we will see, this is the greatest secret ever presented to the minds of men. The Term “Mystery” Eph 3:6 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. Click Image or Here! This ministry is maintained by the Lord through the stewardship of those who value it. Read more about him here. At the beginning of the letter, he says that in the gospel, God is “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time” (Ephesians … Up to this time the fullest revelation was that He was King of kings and Lord of lords (Re 19:16). The Mystery of the Gospel. The good news for today is connected with prison, with bonds. In Ephesians the mystery refers to God’s secret plan to integrate Jew and Gentile into one body. 1 A Mystery is Revealed. What was a big hint given to Abraham about the mystery? Jonh Piper says about that in his Desiring God, Meditations of a Christian Hedonist: The mystery is this: God did not create the union of Christ and the church after the pattern of human marriage; just the reverse! It refers to things in heaven and on the earth. The word minister comes from the Greek word diakonos. The Church now witnesses to powers in the heavenlies as Israel was to witness to nations on the earth. Ephesians 3:9 and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was hidden in God, who created all things. Mystery is something that has been kept secret till revealed to the initiate. This wish or desire of God was concerning His Son; that in the fulness of times, right now, the Son should be Head of all things in heaven and earth. The mystery of God’s will is that “which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” (Ephesians … (Ephesians 3:6, ESV) An initiate is one who is a believer and is being taught by the Holy Spirit. The Mystery of His Will. Ephesians is among several of the letters Paul wrote during his first Roman imprisonment. This epistle is considered “strong meat” of the Word. Other ages did not know this secret. Ephesians 1:9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, Read verse in New International Version 5:32. All rights reserved. Ephesians 3:7. … of which I became a minister This points us back to verse 6 where Paul presented the Plan of the mystery. This would be a tremendous blessing to help us get the word out to others who might also enjoy it—as Apple uses the rating and reviews in their searches to help other people find the show. An initiate is one who is a believer and is being taught by the Holy Spirit. It was not made known till the earthly program was rejected by the chosen people in Acts 28. Help support this believer sponsored ministry with your donation today. The Mystery Revealed In addition, this week we are introduced to a new term, “mystery” which forms an integral part of the letter to the Ephesians. It is a program for the heavens, not the earth. It does not mean that it is "incomprehensible" when it is disclosed, but that hitherto it has been kept secret. NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. The Great Mystery (5:32). It also carries the weight of the idea, meaning the response is life-changing. Even today, there is just a small remnant that is included in this great household of God which is in the heavenlies. UNITY IN CHRIST! This is the mystery that was hid in God from ages and generations. The Mystery (Ephesians 1:9) Ephesians Bible Study • Study 18. A verse by verse study of Ephesians 3:1-13, about the mystery revealed in the gospel of Christ. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will The Gospel, which is a mystery, a hidden mystery, the mystery of God and of Christ, and the mystery of the Gospel; the several doctrines of it are called the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; such as are concerning the trinity of persons in the Godhead, … It cannot be found in the stars. This secret was first mentioned in Genesis 3:15 and was gradually unfolded in all the Scriptures till in the dispensation of the mystery Christ is fully revealed as Head of the church. B. The mystery is not about spiritual versus physical. And note that it is in connection with bonds (See also 3:1 & 4:1). There are at least 9 gospels mentioned in the Scriptures, but it seems that the greatest of these is the gospel of the dispensation of the mystery, here called the mystery of the gospel. We will examine how this mystery is revealed throughout the Old Testament. Ephesians 3:9, ESV: "and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who … 2 Timothy 2:15 states "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". These studies will guide you through this life-changing book of the Bible and give you practical application to help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, experience the victorious Christian life, and help you build your life around Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7-10 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished on us in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself, as a plan for the fullness of time, to … This mystery is defined' in verse 6; that the nations, and Israel included as just another nation, have a joint relationship. Compare with Paul's knowledge in C above. In Christ there is no longer any distinction. Paul is given a revelation which he shares with the Ephesians, so that they may have the same enlightenment that was granted him. We find it written in the stars. Ephesians 1:9. 3:3. But Paul says the most about mystery in Ephesians, which, of course, is where he says of marriage, “This mystery is profound” (Ephesians 5:32). The Mystery of His Will. There is a great mystery, hidden from ages and generations, and God has given us the wisdom and insight in order for us to understand and comprehend it. Mystery occurs 6 times in Ephesians. Note the phrase my knowledge. In this expositional study of Ephesians 1:9, Nathan Johnson gives an overview of how Paul talks about the “mystery” in Scripture and then gives clarity as to what it is and how knowing and living in the reality of this mystery will change our lives – for this mystery is “from Him, and through Him, and to Him” for His praise, honor, and glory! We noted in B above that there was a joint relationship, threefold in nature, of the members to each other. Ephesians 3:6 The words This mystery is are inferred from verse 4 Ephesians 3:9 Or by Ephesians 3:15 Or from whom all fatherhood ; the Greek word patria in verse 15 is closely related to the word for Father in verse 14 The mystery he spoke of was that Gentiles are now fellow family members of the church in Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6). The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is an in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Now at first glance we might conclude that this would refer to people of the heavenly calling and those of the earthly calling. 1. Ephesians 5:32 (NASB) This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. There is a great mystery, hidden from ages and generations, and God has given us the wisdom and insight in order for us to understand and comprehend it. Mystery is something that has been kept secret till revealed to the initiate. Click to learn more. This mystery is concerning the union or relationship of Christ and His church. 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. Like A above, this is something God purposed in connection with an eternal purpose. It is not something that is in itself incomprehensible but something unknown until God chooses to reveal it. Ephesians 5:32. The word here, in Ephesians 3, is not identical to the modern use of the word "mystery," which often means something that cannot be known at all. Christ-Centered Bible Teaching and Resources. This is “the fellowship of the mystery” referred to in Ephesians 3:9. But now He is Head of a church that has its home, its citizenship, in the highest heavens, far above all principality and power. Ephesians 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him (NASB: Lockman). The Greek word μυστήριον or mystery in Ephesians 1:9, 3:3, 3:9, and 5:32 in the Greek New Testament is translated into "sacramentum" in the Latin Vulgate Bible, from which we derive our English word sacrament. In structure, this is parallel to, The Hope Of Paul's Epistles Written During The Time Of Acts. It is certainly for those who have grown in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 3:9. I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your life, and learn how to practically live out an abundant and fruitful Christian life. 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