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The Mystery Revealed - Ephesians 3:1-7
The Mystery Revealed Ephesians 3:1-7
The ‘eternal purpose’ of God (3.11) was a mystery but has now been revealed through the apostles and prophets by the Spirit in the New Testament/covenant.
The word ‘mystery’ is almost always connected in the immediate context with the fact that it is now revealed or made known. The word ‘mystery’ appears some 27 times in the NT. It has been revealed, given, made known, understand, made manifest, etc. For example, see Matt. 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10; Romans 11:25; Eph. 1:9, Col. 1:26-27, etc.)
This revelation was WRITTEN down. Peter emphasized this because he (and the rest of the apostles and prophets of the 1st century) were going to die (2 Peter 1:12-15). Thus, by writing it down the disciples would have it to read and understand long after the apostles were gone.
It can now be READ. This is shown to include the preservation of God’s revelation, the Word as Peter refers to it later as the ‘imperishable, living and enduring word’ that ‘endures forever’ (1 Peter 1:23-25).
Such reading can produce understanding. Such writings have at their basic purpose to cause others to understand what the writer understands.
In the reading, understanding, and keeping of the revelation God is glorified in the church (Eph. 3:20-21).
As Jesus asked so often of the Jewish leaders: ‘Have you not read….’. Well, have you?
Hugh DeLong
