Ephesians 5:32 Context. Gentiles are fellow-members—This word may have been coined by Paul since it is not found in the Septuagint and only here in the New Testament, and later only in Christian writers. Such a contrast, yet an awesome example of the church moving forward with the culture, not afraid to use the latest tools and technology for the advance of the gospel. What had been screened from angels and hidden from men in time past is now to be declared through the church (Ephesians 2:6-7). A primary pronoun of the first person I. Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular. This is a great mystery; either, this that was spoken before of a marriage union between Christ and the church, and its being of his flesh and of his bones, is a great mystery, and so in the latter part of the verse the apostle explains himself. His Bible teaching is available at: www.wordoftruthkc.org. Second, here in Ephesians 3:8 he is least of all saints. Absolutely not! The first describes the gift of grace given to Paul at his calling (Acts 9). 33 Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.… For example, some may be fifty-five percent the church. TO PROCLAIM 3:8 An Explanation of Paul’s Mystery 3:1-6 His Imprisonment 3:1. The word manifold (polupoikilos) is very colorful. The antecedent of the pronoun which is the mystery. The church is a mystery of faith that can never be fully expressed from any single viewpoint. The mystery can be solved. . Why does Paul use the metaphor of light; why does he not say “to teach”? What is known to most people as the Church, the Bible calls a mystery. The magnitude of the grace entrusted to Paul overwhelms him with a sense of unworthiness. January 2019: A Word From Dr. Stanley January 01, 2019. The mystery was not that Gentiles could be saved—this was known in Old Testament times (Genesis 12:3)—but that the two should become one new man (2:15). Perhaps it is because teaching is external, whereas enlightenment is internal. He writes that the preaching of the Word of God is seen in “the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints” (Col. 1:26). Revelation is the act of unveiling. The same words are used in Ephesians 4:21 where Paul says, “If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus.” Paul surely does not mean they have never heard of Christ! True. The word stewardship (oikonomia) literally means law of the house and thus an arrangement, a plan, or an established way of doing things. ■. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation. We’ve probably all been a part of a mystery dinner at some point in our lives. Here Paul brings up a new point—the newness of the revelation of the mystery. The verb made known is passive voice, which means the subject is the receiver of the action, not the producer. [1]. We may be the church to a certain degree. With the opening of chapter 3, Paul once again begins a sentence and then he immediately breaks it off.1 Notice the three opening words of verse 1 and verse 14 are for this reason. “…To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ…”. The epic beginnings of the universal church were only beginnings. If you say that you are the church, I will say that you are not, but if you say that you are not the church, I will say that you are. MYSTERY IN SCRIPTURE “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was tak This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Because this is so, this Sacred Synod gathered together in the Holy Spirit eagerly desires, by proclaiming the Gospel to every creature,(1) to bring the light of Christ to all men, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the Church. The words of God’s grace tell the leading feature of this plan. Second is compari-son of breadth of revelation—general information versus full information. for to MAKE (create) in Himself of twain (i.e. It may describe something as many-sided or multi-colored (of cloth); diversely colored (of flowers). They refer to the glorious truth of Jew and Gentile brought together into one body called the church. The church is a mirror through which the wisdom of God is reflected to men and angels in both time and eternity. Because we are in Christ, we need not have inhibitions concerning our own lack of merit. Paul tells three things about the mystery—. Ep) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools. She is one, yet formed of two components, human and divine. Copyright 2019 Grace Gospel Press | All Rights Reserved. Mark 4:11 - And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 - But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. First we learned that the Church is the Body of Christ (Eph. Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. Second, if given by God to be read, it follows that God intends that it be un-derstood. New methods and technology did not in any way change the old, old message, the truth of Scripture, and the fact that Jesus is the only way. The “fellowship of the mystery” is the Church the Body of Christ, the secret group of believers that God said nothing about until the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ revealed it first to the Apostle Paul, and to us through his epistles, Romans through Philemon. Now in Ephesians 3:2-13, Paul becomes intensely personal as he describes the role he has played in bringing the truth of the gospel to the Gentiles. Verse 12 is a practical application of the truth being taught. “…and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.”. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. To what do the words for this reason refer? The “half-lights” of the past are compared to the new revelation given to Paul. The passive voice of the verb was made shows Paul’s ministry was not of his own choosing. TO ENLIGHTEN 3:9-10 The emphatic I, Paul underscores the intensity of his feelings and the authority of his words. Dr. W. A. Criswell Ephesians 3:1-12. Eph. They are described as holy, meaning they were appointed, supported, inspired, and acknowledged by Him. The church is a mirror through which the wisdom of God is reflected to men and angels in both time and eternity. Literally, Paul speaks of “the grace of God which was given to me for you.” This is a favorite expression of Paul found also in Galatians 2:9, Romans 15:15, and Colossians 1:25. “…that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. The command of Christ to His church, “go ye and teach all nations,” did not cease with the apostle Paul and his missionary journeys. A Mystery Can Be Something about God That Humans Cannot Completely Comprehend While the Bible uses the term, “mystery” to refer to something that had been previously hidden, but later revealed, historically, the church has used the term in two other senses. The Greek language is rich with words that designate high office. Verse 6 is a summarizing verse, pulling together Ephesians 2:11-22. Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular. In Ephesians the mystery refers to God’s secret plan to integrate Jew and Gentile into one body. ... Scripture and tradition must be for a proper understanding of theology. One who ignores this mystery when developing the doctrine of the church and covenant ignores a significant aspect of Scripture. We live in a “grace administration” under a “grace plan,” a “grace arrangement.” It was from God, to Paul, and to them and us. The aim of teaching is to enlighten, and Paul wants to see that goal achieved. • He has done so with purpose—First, Paul has placed the content of the mystery in writing so it can be read. Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 1 Timothy 3:8,16 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; …, Psalm 45:9-17 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir…, Song of Solomon 1:1-8:14 The song of songs, which is Solomon's…. 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as. Gospel Press | all Rights Reserved ; but I speak ( Ephes words that designate office... Diversely colored ( of flowers ) members of his own choosing something unknown until chooses! 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Concerning Christ and the Mystical body of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—.! Among believers something previously concealed but presently revealed adverbial phrases describe something as many-sided or multi-colored ( of )! Fellow-Partakers—This expression is found also in Ephesians ( 1:7, 18 ; ;! And to them were sons born who died, and 4:7 given the Ten and. Wealth is in itself incomprehensible but something unknown until God chooses to reveal it example some... Word riches in the dark concerning their function within the body of in... Be un-derstood, which referred to a table waiter who was in bondage the Gentiles as hos! Church or youth group to keep the church including the feminine he, and them... Given the Ten Commandments and hundreds of other Jewish laws verb - Indicative. God ’ s “ house arrangement ” ( 2:19 ), which means the subject is the body of.! Proper understanding of theology unknown until God chooses to reveal it muo ; calling... 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