◄ What Does Ephesians 3:5 Mean? ►

In this magnificent letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains in great detail the mystery that was hidden from ages and generations, but which has now been revealed to us through Paul and God's other New Testament apostles and prophets. Paul was given a unique, if not exclusive position in the Church, which is called Christ's Body. Following Christ's death, resurrection, ascension and glorification, we discover the murderous Saul of Tarsus being selected for a unique ministry by the Lord Jesus Himself, which he describes as: "The dispensation of the grace of God."

Paul was not chosen because of his merit, his mind, his might, or his money for he was the worst of sinners. His selection was simply a matter of God's unmerited favour and kindness.. Paul was called to unveil many hidden truths about God's Son, which had previously been concealed during the past ages, but which was given to us by direct revelation from God through His chosen apostles and prophets, by means of His Holy Spirit. And by God's grace, this mystery is now part of the inspired written Word of God which tells us that Gentiles are to be fellow-members, equal-heirs, and co-equal partakers of all the promises of Christ.

The mystery which had not been known to the sons of men in other generations, was that saved Gentiles were to be fellow members with saved Jews. Believing Gentiles were to be awarded equality of position, privileges, and promises in Christ through the gospel of grace.

The word 'mystery' too often conjures up thoughts of a riddle or something mysterious and magical. We picture some impenetrable dark secret that must be worked out mathematically, linguistically, or by some scientific metaphysical or philosophical means. But every use of this word 'mystery' in Scripture simply means something that was previously concealed in the past but which is now presently revealed.

God revealed this mystery to the apostles and prophets of the New Testament. And although Paul is certainly able to boast a unique position as God's chosen vessel to take this message to the Gentiles, he does not claim this revelation was exclusively given to him (although we do discover that Paul is the major disseminator of this truth throughout the Scriptures). The epistles of Paul are unique in that he goes into far greater depth and details of this beautiful and magnificent truth: that Gentile believers are fellow-heirs with believing Jews and that we are joint-heirs with Christ and equal participants of the position, privileges, and promises of God through Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your grace, You have chosen to bring Gentiles into Your heavenly family through faith in Christ and that You have revealed this in Your Word. Thank You that in Christ, I have been brought into fellowship with You and have an inheritance that is kept for me in heaven. In Jesus' name, AMEN.