Ephesians 3:3-6

God Made Known the Mystery

Christ revealed both the plan of salvation and his plan for Paul to tell others about it (Galatians 1:11-17; Acts 26:15-18). Paul says he wrote a few words before about the mystery. He may be referring to his earlier mention of the mystery in this book (1:9), or another letter we do not have. Paul's purpose in telling them about the plan of salvation, which once was covered but now had been revealed, was that they might understand the ultimate meaning of the inspired writings when they studied them (3:3-4).

God uncovered his plan part by part. The inspired men who received God's messages longed to know their full meaning. However, that was reserved for those of the Christian age (1 Peter 1:10-12). The apostles and prophets of the New Testament were inspired by the Holy Spirit. They knew of God's plan to save all men, both Jew and Gentile, through Jesus Christ (3:5).

The Jews had long considered themselves God's people. Now that the mystery was made known, Paul could also tell the Gentiles who obeyed that they were God's people in Christ Jesus. In fact, this was a great part of the mystery revealed to the inspired apostles and prophets. "Fellow heirs" means the Gentiles were now considered part of God's family. Of course, the body is the church, as was observed in Ephesians 1:22-23. The great promise in Christ is a new life because of his shed blood which purchased the remission of our sin (3:6; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:38).