Paul the
apostle shared with the Ephesians church members concerning “the
mystery” or “hidden and secret notion” that God Almighty
desired to bring the Gentiles into His salvation plan through Jesus
Christ. Because Jesus died on the cross for everyone, the Gentiles,
who were without the original “commandments” were given the
opportunity to have a relationship with God. In chapter three and
verse five of his letter, Paul shared how this “mystery”
was “revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets” where
we read:
Which in
other ages was not made known unto the sons of men,
as it is
now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
The verse begins,
“Which in other ages was not made
known unto the sons of men,...” Paul
began with the phrase, “Which in
other ages”
which literally means “father, birth, nativity, family and men of
the same stock” and metaphorically means “a group of men very
like each other in endowments, pursuits and character” “was
not made known”
which is the Greek phrase “gnōrizō
ou gnōrizō” and
means
“to be recognized, gain knowledge of or have a thorough knowledge
of” “unto the sons”
which refers to “the descendants and ones of posterity” “of
men” or
“human beings whether male or female”. Before the time of Paul,
others were not able to see this “mystery”
about the Gentiles' salvation.
The verse goes on to
say, “...as it is now revealed unto
his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;” Paul
added, “as it is now revealed”
which is the Greek phrase “apokalyptō
nyn apokalyptō” and
means
“uncovered, laid open bare, unveiled, made manifest and disclosed
what before was unknown” “unto his
holy” or
“sacred, pure, morally blameless both religiously and ceremonially”
“apostles”
which refers to “delegates, messengers, and ones sent forth with
orders” “and prophets”
who were “one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ
or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by
inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular
such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human
salvation” “by the Spirit”
which refers to “the third person of the triune God, the Holy
Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son”. When the
revelation of the “mystery”
was “unveiled”, both “apostles”
and “prophets”
were aware of it's far reaching benefits.
When
we consider these words of Paul, we marvel at God's perfect timing
for everything. At the appointed time, God reveal His “mystery”
to Paul, and once He “unveiled”
it, the “mystery”
made sense through those who were His “sent out” ones and “forth
and foretellers” of the gospel of Christ. If we are Gentiles, we
are the “beneficiaries” of God's marvelous “mystery”.
May all who read these words know and understand the blessings God
has extended to all men.
Next
time Paul shares how the Gentiles became “fellowheirs”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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