The Mystery

2018-09-27

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (2) If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: (3) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, (4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (5) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (6) That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (7) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (8) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (9) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (13) Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. (Ephesians 3:1-13)

The mystery Paul referred to is defined in Ephesians 3:6: “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” Paul was a “minister” of this mystery, making known unto the Gentile nations the good news of Jesus Christ. This passage speaks about this great mystery of God.

1. Paul was a prisoner because of his preaching to the Gentiles. Paul was no stranger to being a prisoner, and some of it was because he ministered to Gentiles. Here were some of the arrests Paul went through:
   1. He was arrested for casting out a devil of a servant girl. Since she could no longer divine for her masters, they caused Paul to be arrested in Philippi (Acts 16:16-24).
   2. The Jews had him arrested, which ultimately brought Paul to Rome. They would no longer listen to his appeal when he mentioned ministering to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21-22).
   3. His arrests always led to an increase of evangelism. More people spoke boldly because of his arrest, even though in some cases it was at his expense (Philippians 1:12-18).
   4. Towards the end of his life, he was alone. Everyone forsook Paul, which is a cost associated with the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 4:9-18).
2. Paul was given a special responsibility to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. This is what is meant by a dispensation. He had extensive knowledge of the law, which Gentiles would not have, so he was in a good position to be used of God among the nations. This dispensation was left behind in his letters. (Ephesians 3:2)
3. The mystery of the Gentiles being fellow heirs with the Jews was given to Paul by revelation. Paul received a lot of information from Christ Himself (Galatians 1:11-12), and with these revelations came great authority and responsibility. This revelation was something new, not found clearly in the Old Testament. The Old Testament did not emphasize Gentile salvation or blessing. The apostles, who saw the risen Christ, and other preachers, were used by the Holy Spirit to reveal this mystery to the world. (Ephesians 3:3-5)
   
   Gentiles and Jews who believed on Jesus Christ had now become one body of believers. There was no longer any distinction between the two, just as we had seen in the previous chapter. (Ephesians 3:6)
4. Paul was a minister of the mystery. This is repeated in Galatians 1:1. He was appointed by God, and he was led by God to evangelize large portions of the world. His preaching is now encapsulated in his letters in the New Testament. (Ephesians 3:7)
   
   He considered himself “less than the least of all saints” because of his pre-Christian life as a persecutor of the church and a Pharisee trusting in his good works. His life was a demonstration of God’s grace, and he was able to deeply share this grace with everyone he came into contact. (Ephesians 3:8)
   
   Paul was a minster to all people everywhere to make them understand this truth that was hidden from the beginning of time. (Ephesians 3:9)
5. The new body of believers, the church, is the vehicle to reveal God’s wisdom. The church reveals God’s wisdom to principalities and powers (1 Peter 1:11-12). Angels learn about God’s wisdom and grace through us. (Ephesians 3:10-11)
6. We as believers have boldness in Christ. The church in the Lord Jesus Christ was a part of God’s plan from eternity past. Because we are in Christ, we have boldness and access to God the Father to serve Him here, knowing our position and power in Him. (Ephesians 3:12)
7. Tribulation is a part of the Christian life. As Paul had many troubles while he lived, we can know that we will have adversity while serving Him. What men meant to do to Paul for evil, God meant for good. The Gospel continued to spread. As Tertullian said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Whenever evil forces attempt to destroy Christianity from the earth, it only gets stronger. (Ephesians 3:13)