A Worthy Mystery

One of our great human frustrations is the limitation of our knowledge. We hate an unsolved mystery. God makes it clear that He alone has all knowledge and that He reveals it as He wills. The right attitude towards God clears the way for knowledge and wisdom that is worthwhile, and through His Son, His Word and His Spirit He makes it known. We can confidently live each day comforted by the assurance of His protection and revelation.

Scripture

Ephesians 3:1-6 ESV For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 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. 6 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.

Bible Study Questions

What is this reason?

Ephesians 3:1 ESV For this reason

Ephesians three starts by reminding us why Paul was inspired to write. What were we taught in chapter two which provides the reason for what is to come?

Ephesians 2:22 ESV In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

What is being done for this reason?

Ephesians 3:1 ESV For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles

So the reason is given in the previous chapter, but what is being done for that reason? There are two possibilities, one is mentioned immediately the more likely is mention later on in the first chapter.

Ephesians 3:14 ESV For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

A Prisoner on your behalf

Why is it important for us to know why Paul was in prison?

Acts 21:28 ESV crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”

Wisdom and knowledge

Ephesians 3:2-4 ESV assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,

How did Paul gain the wisdom and insight that he had? What is the prerequisite of true wisdom and knowledge?

Proverbs 1:7 ESV The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The revelation of mystery

Ephesians 3:5 ESV 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.

Who decides when mysteries are revealed and to whom they are revealed?

Matthew 13:11 ESV And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

Hidden in plain site

Ephesians 3:6 ESV 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.

What is the mystery that Paul was suffering for, how do we know that we can trust that it is true?

Isaiah 56:6-8 ESV “And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” 8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”

The value of the mystery

The mystery that Paul was entrusted with was offensive to the Jews and the Gentiles for different reasons. Was making this mystery known worth it when it caused Paul to suffer imprisonment and eventually death? Why is this mystery so special?

2 Timothy 2:8-9 ESV Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

Romans 5:18 ESV Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 ESV For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

Additional Scripture

Colossians 1:15-20 ESV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Titus 1:5-9 ESV This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.