Paul tells the church in Eph 3:3 that God had revealed “the mystery” to him. The term “mystery” refers to hidden, esoteric knowledge only given to those “initiated” into a special group. This language was used in the so-called mystery religions in the Greco-Roman world. Paul likely found this language appropriate because the “mystery” that was revealed to him was far more cosmic and real than the secrets of these mystery religions.

What was the mystery? Paul explains it most explicitly in Eph 3:6, “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel…” (NASB). Paul explains this mystery in another way in 1:9–10, “He made known to us the mystery of His will…the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” Thus, the secret knowledge that was revealed to believers is the reconciliation of the world with God and itself through Jesus. The emphasis in Eph 3 is on the Gentiles being reconciled to God. This reconciliation of all nations to God is anticipated in the Old Testament numerous times, but the prophecies veiled how God was going to reconcile the Gentiles to himself through Israel. That is partially why Jesus was so misunderstood by the world, for many of the messianic prophecies seem to tell of a warrior-king who will defeat Israel’s enemies.

Why did God keep this a mystery? Why not just explain everything in detail from the beginning? Would that not have made it easier for people to believe in Jesus when he was on this earth? While we may not know every reason why God concealed his plan of salvation, the Bible gives us several hints, which I will take up next week. What is important for us to remember is that this “mystery” is no longer hidden knowledge but is meant to be shared and proclaimed. The holiday of Easter, after all, is all about God reconciling the world through the resurrection of Jesus, showing that death has been conquered. I hope that you will join me in proclaiming this mystery to others throughout the week in order to show the profound wisdom and love of God.