The Mystery (Ephesians 3:1-6)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 3:1-6

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 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.

COMMENT

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles

Paul was literally a prisoner for Christ, but I think that he might be using this as a play on the words, because prisoner means a captive, or one who is bound, and Paul was certainly a captive of Christ.

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

The mystery of Christ was not made known prior to His coming. People were looking for a totally different type of Messiah. They were looking for an earthly ruler, one who would set them free from the oppression of the Romans. God had different plans. He sent a Savior who would set them free from sin, who would demolish the barrier between men and God. I find it ironic that people still look for a Messiah who will set them free in earthly terms, one who will lift them out of poverty, or sickness, etc. Yes, Jesus can and does heal sickness and maybe provides prosperity for some, but first and foremost He is the Savior of my soul.

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.

Salvation for gentiles? Yes, Jesus came for all who would believe. Some who thought He would be their Messiah rejected Him because the could not or refused to understand. Still true today.