New: 29 January 2025
The Mystery of Christ
& the Gospel
Ephesians 3:4-6
By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the same body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ through the gospel.
Ephesians 3:4-6
Question
What is 'the mystery of Christ' and 'the mysteries of God' according to Paul?
Context
Paul wrote about the 'mystery of Christ' (Ephesians 3:5) and the 'mysteries of God' (1 Corinthians 4:1), of whom he was a revealer and steward. He wrote of 'God's mystery' (Colossians 2:2) and the 'revelation of the mystery' (Romans 16:25). What is that? Is it one and the same thing or different things? And how does Paul's understanding relate to the 'mysteries of the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 13) Jesus spoke about?
Answer
A mystery is something unknown, hidden or secret. You know it exists but you don't know what it is. Revelation, on the other hand, makes that which is hidden known. It reveals the unknown or secret thing. Jews knew that there are 'secret things' that belong to the Lord (He knows but hasn't revealed it or revealed it yet). They also knew that the 'revealed things' were theirs: revealed in the written Law of God, making plain how His people are to live (see Deuteronomy 29:29). Shortly before Jesus' Ascension, His disciples asked whether He would restore the kingdom back to Israel at this time (Acts 1:6). This came after Jesus renewed the promise of the Holy Spirit to them (vv 4-5), the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49) as foretold in the Scriptures (v 44). The outpouring of the Spirit was somehow related to the end of time, hence it had an eschatological* aspect to it. Joel's prophecy indicated that (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21). The appearing of the Messiah had already been a clear message that the end was near, that God would to judge the world and establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace on earth. But when would this happen, and how?
Despite the many ancient prophecies pointing to these things, the timing of events had not been entirely clear, hence the disciples' asking Jesus about God's 'End-Time Timetable,' if we can put it that way. The emphasis of Jesus, however, was on His disciples being 'witnesses' (Acts 1:8) to what they had seen, heard and touched (1 John 1:1-3; Luke 1:1-4). Both in Luke (24:44-49) and Acts (1:8), the Spirit is given as an empowerment to be witnesses of Him, the Messiah, Suffering Servant and Saviour of the world. He had died to carry the sins of the world so that salvation can be given to those who believe in Him (John 3:16). His mission was not to condemn the world, but bring salvation to it (v 17; cf., Titus 2:11). No other Name is given under heaven through which we might gain salvation and eternal life (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the way, the truth and the life—He is the way to the Father (John 14:6) because only He paid the price for salvation by dying on the cross for the sins of humanity (2 Corinthians 5:18-21; John 1:29). This was God's plan and purpose, as Peter explained in his sermons in the early chapters of Acts and Paul in the later chapters. This is the Gospel the apostles and all other believers were to share with the world around them.
According to Paul, called by God to be an apostle (a commissioned messenger of God), the Gospel through which those who believe can receive eternal life, is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16-17). In his letter to the Romans (Christians in Rome) Paul wrote that this Gospel had been a 'mystery kept secret since the world began,' but had now been revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ: it is 'the revelation of the mystery' (16:25). It was 'now made manifest,' as outlined in the 'prophetic Scriptures' of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), 'according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith,' and to God's glory (vv 26-27). The 'now' relates to the time of Paul, hence, the mystery is revealed in the Gospel and it is Christ and His salvation by faith which is the righteousness of God.
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for the obedience of faith—to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
Romans 16:25-27
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul again states that this 'mystery,' made known to him 'by revelation' (3:3), had not been made known in other ages, but was now revealed by God's 'apostles and prophets,' of whom he was one (v 5). Paul had explained what it is: salvation by grace through faith in Christ (2:1-10), who is our peace and who brought reconciliation to humanity (vv 11-18), so that all peoples by faith in Christ can become part of God's people (vv 19-21). This message is the foundational teaching of the Church, Christ being the chief cornerstone (the foundation and major element) of this revelation (v 20). Christ is Head and all in all, through whom God brought reconciliation of all things (1:15-23). The mystery of Christ was revealed for all to know, proclaimed in the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, Saviour of the world, who brought reconciliation and peace with God.
In Colossians, Paul wrote how the 'mystery' had been hidden in previous ages, but has now been revealed in his 'stewardship from God' to 'fulfilled the word of God,' a 'mystery' that 'now has been revealed,' being 'preached to every creature under heaven' (1:23-26). God reveals this mystery to people (v 27), and the mystery is Christ (2:2) and Christ in us (1:27) and believers in Christ (v 28). Christ is the 'true knowledge of God's mystery' (2:2), because all wisdom and knowledge is in Christ (v 3) and in Him Deity (Divinity) is fully revealed and manifested (v 9). Life and truth are in Christ and the Gospel of salvation, not in the traditions of men or the elementary principles of human or world philosophies and empty deceptions (vv 10-23). The 'mystery of Christ' is the Gospel Paul preached (4:3-4). Christ is the example believers on earth must look to in order to live pleasing to God above the sins of the flesh (3:1-25). The mystery of Christ was revealed in the Gospel and teaches us to live godly in this present life.
Paul's preaching and writing to the Corinthians likewise placed emphasis on Christ: 'we preach Christ crucified' (1 Corinthians 1:23), which is 'the word of the cross,' namely, 'the power of God' unto salvation for those who believe (v 18). Christ is the power and wisdom of God (v 24, cf., v 30) and Christ crucified is the testimony of God (2:1-2). The crucifixion of Christ that brought salvation is God's wisdom revealed in the Gospel through the Spirit, something previously hidden and not understood by worldly rulers, but now revealed to those who are called (vv 6-16). Christ is the irreplaceable foundation (3:11) of the Temple of God, which is the body of believers, the Church (vv 10, 16), an entity that must be built properly, and destroying it has serious consequences (vv 12-17). Paul and others were faithful stewards of these mysteries now revealed through their preaching of the Gospel (4:1-2). To Paul, 'the gospel of Christ' (9:12) and imitating Christ (11:1) are important. Christ's sacrifice is the essence of the New Covenant (11:23-26). Christ is the One who died for our sins (15:3), was raised from the dead (v 4) and based on the resurrection the apostles' preaching has validity and power (v 14). Victory over death is in Christ (vv 50-58).
Preaching 'the gospel of Christ' is like a sweet fragrance that brings life to those who believe (2 Corinthians 2:12-16). The veil that blinds people's hearts is 'removed in Christ' (3:14, 16) at the preaching of the Gospel by the Spirit of God (3:4-6). The Gospel is veiled only to those who are perishing, but to those who believe it is light and glory (4:1-6). The Gospel is the 'word of reconciliation,' a reconciliation between sinful humans and a holy God that is in and through Christ, who died for our sins so we can gain God's righteousness (5:18-21) and be born-again to a new creation in Christ (v 17). Paul's preaching of the Gospel (10:12-18) betrothed the Church as a virgin to Christ 'the husband,' figuratively speaking, to whom they must be devoted, especially in the face of heresy and counterfeit gospels that seek to deceive (11:1-15). Any other 'visions and revelations' of an 'inexpressible' nature Paul had in an exceptional experience were not to be uttered or shared (12:1-6). The apostle's focus was on the preaching of the Gospel, on that which is revealed. Christ is the centre and essence of the message of salvation. The mystery of God is Christ crucified and revealed in the Gospel, to which we must remain faithful as stewards and believers.
Conclusion
The mystery of Christ/God according to Paul is Christ Himself and is revealed in the Gospel the apostles preached, a message that brings salvation and reconciliation to those who believe it, and instructs us to live pleasing to God in Christ in obedience to the apostolic faith (cf., Jude 3). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the revelation of the mystery that was once hidden. Our focus should be on that which is revealed and on being witnesses to Christ and the Gospel in the power of the Spirit.
The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven were revealed by Jesus in parables (Matthew 13; see Q2). They refer to the nature of God's kingdom; the revealed mystery of God in Paul's writings was Christ as explained in the Gospels which refers to the content of God's message to humanity. Christ is the Messiah-King of God's kingdom, through whom we have access to salvation and the kingdom of God.
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*Eschatology is the doctrine related to 'the last things' or 'End Times' (from the Greek word eschatos).