Please Support the Bible Translation Work of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

$5.00

Discover the nuanced complexities of Ephesians 3:5, which discusses the mystery of Christ as both concealed and revealed. Explore how the Old Testament Prophets had insights into this mystery, and understand how it became fully clear through New Testament revelation. A deep dive into the theological and historical dimensions of this captivating verse.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a treasure trove of doctrinal insights and practical guidance. One point that has intrigued scholars and readers alike is found in Ephesians 3:5. The verse states, “which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” This presents a complex question: How could the mystery of Christ be hidden in previous ages yet known by the Old Testament prophets?

The Concept of “Mystery” in Biblical Texts

First, let’s explore what Paul means by “mystery.” In the biblical sense, a mystery is a truth that has not been fully revealed or understood until a specific time. This doesn’t mean it was entirely unknown; rather, the full implications of that truth were not yet revealed.

Old Testament Anticipations

The Old Testament is replete with prophecies and typologies that point to Christ. Take, for example, Isaiah 53, which details the suffering servant. The prophet Isaiah had a substantial understanding of the future suffering, death, and vindication of this servant, who Christians later understood to be Christ. But did Isaiah or his contemporaries grasp the complete nature and worldwide impact of these prophecies? Likely not. They had the pieces of a puzzle, but the whole picture was not yet made known to them.

New Testament Revelation

When we come to the New Testament, we find the apostles claiming that these mysteries are now made fully known. The apostles and prophets of the New Testament were granted the complete picture of these previous revelations by the Holy Spirit. With the coming of Christ and the unfolding of the early church, these mysteries were fully revealed and understood.

The Role of Progressive Revelation

The Bible is a book of progressive revelation. Earlier generations had shadows, types, and partial unveilings of what was to come. Think of it as watching a drama unfold on a stage. Early scenes give you an idea of what’s happening, but it’s only in the climax and resolution that everything comes together. The Old Testament prophets are like viewers who only saw the opening scenes. They had an inkling but didn’t see the full picture. The apostles and the New Testament prophets are like those who stayed till the end, seeing how all the storylines converge in the person and work of Christ.

Reconciliation with the Historical-Grammatical Method

Approaching this issue with an objective historical-grammatical method of interpretation, we find no contradiction. Old Testament prophecies were made under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They were accurate and true but incomplete. The apostles, also under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, provided the remaining pieces, revealing how these ancient prophecies culminated in Christ.

Summary and Implications

So, the mystery was always there, latent in the Scriptures. It was known but not fully known; seen but not fully seen. It’s like knowing the sun will rise, seeing its first rays peak over the horizon, but only understanding the full beauty of the sunrise when it fills the sky with light. The Old Testament prophets saw those first rays; the New Testament apostles and prophets saw the sky ablaze. Both saw the same sun, but one saw more fully what the other only partially glimpsed.

This understanding reconciles the mystery’s hidden aspect with its known status in a way that is not contradictory but beautifully complementary. It testifies to the coherent, unified message of the Bible and reaffirms its inerrant nature, demonstrating that whether in anticipation or in fulfillment, God’s word is a consistent, reliable guide for faith and practice.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).