Exploring Ephesians 3: The Unveiling of the Mystery of Christ

The third chapter of Ephesians holds profound revelations about God’s mystery and the redemptive work of Christ. Apostle Paul, writing from his position as a prisoner, speaks to both Jews and Gentiles alike about a mystery hidden through the ages, but now revealed through the Spirit.

The Mystery Revealed by Revelation, Not Tradition

Paul emphasizes that his understanding of the mystery of Christ came not from learning or tradition but through direct revelation from God (Ephesians 3:3). This divine insight was not known to previous generations, despite prophets foretelling the coming Messiah. The Christ spoken of by Daniel and others was anticipated as a figure of salvation, but his true identity and spiritual significance were only fully revealed in the "New Testament" era and ultimately at His 2nd coming. 

The previous generations, though they knew of the coming Messiah, lacked the full understanding of His nature as revealed through Christ. This revelation wasn’t simply about a prophetic figure, but about God Himself coming in the flesh to reconcile all things back to Himself. Paul draws attention to how profound this spiritual truth is, one that transcends carnal thinking. The understanding of Christ wasn’t bound to intellectual deduction but to revelation through the Holy Spirit.

The Inclusion of the Gentiles

One key aspect of this revealed mystery is the inclusion of the Gentiles into God's plan of salvation. The gospel is no longer confined to the Israelites, as it was during the old covenant, but extends to all humanity. This fulfillment of God's promise means that both Jews and Gentiles are now fellow heirs, members of one body, and partakers of the promises in Christ (Ephesians 3:6). What was once hidden is now open to all who would believe.

This represents a dramatic shift in how God's grace operated. The law, once a marker of distinction for Israel, now gives way to a broader, grace-filled relationship with God through faith in the Christ.

The Purpose of the Ecclesia: To Reveal God's Wisdom

Paul further explains that God's eternal purpose is that through the Ecclesia (or the Church, those called out by God), His wisdom should be made manifest not only to earthly rulers but also to spiritual authorities in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:10). This revelation reveals that Christ's victory over spiritual powers was not merely earthly but extended to spiritual dimensions, making the Church a critical vehicle for revealing God's divine plan.

Boldness and Confidence Through Faith

In Ephesians 3:12, Paul encourages believers to approach God with boldness and confidence, grounded in faith in Christ. This access to God's presence was unprecedented in earlier generations, but through Christ, the separation between God and humanity had been bridged.

The emphasis here is on faith, not as a doctrine to be followed but as a living relationship with God. Paul's prayer for the Ephesian believers is that they would be rooted and grounded in love and come to comprehend the depth, height, and breadth of Christ's love (Ephesians 3:17-19). This surpasses mere knowledge and is a transformative spiritual experience that fills believers with the fullness of God.

God's Plan Beyond Knowledge

In closing, Paul’s words reflect a call to look beyond intellectual understanding and embrace a faith that leads to deeper love and spiritual maturity. This mystery of Christ—the love of God revealed in self-sacrifice—is the foundation of the believer's life. The religious minds of the time (and even today) may have struggled with the concept of the Father and Son, seeing it through a limited, carnal lens. But Paul’s message is clear: Christ's love is far beyond what human knowledge can fathom. It's something that can only be grasped through a spiritual relationship with God.

In essence, the gospel of that time (for it was for the people who witnessed Christ, not todays generation. We are now living post Christ under His reign) was not a set of doctrines but the living, active word of God who called all people to fellowship with Him through faith in Christ. This mystery, once hidden, is now open for all to receive and comprehend through faith in God (not man or a book) and spiritual revelation.