When was the mystery of Christ revealed according to Ephesians 3:5?
According to Ephesians 3:5, the mystery of Christ was not made known in other ages unto the sons of men, but it is now revealed to the holy apostles and prophets. This revelation came by revelation to Paul, not through seminary or theologians, and he wrote it for Gentiles.
Les explains that Ephesians chapter 3 finds Paul writing to predominantly Gentile churches in the area of Ephesus, though some Jews were in these early churches. Paul calls himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles and speaks of the dispensation of the grace of God given to him. Les points out that just as God gave the law to Moses to give to Israel, He gave the doctrines of grace to Paul to take to the Gentiles. The mystery, or secret, was made known to Paul by revelation, not by seminary or theologians. In verse 5, that mystery was not made known in other ages to the sons of men, but is now revealed to the holy apostles and prophets. Les notes that others followed Paul, such as Barnabas and Silas, as right-hand men.
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
More Questions
Does Ephesians 3:5 say the mystery was made known or not made known to men?
Ephesians 3:5 does not say the mystery 'was made known'; it says these things 'were not made known to the sons of men' but are 'now revealed.'
Was the mystery that Paul reveals in Ephesians 3 made known in the Old Testament?
The mystery of Christ that Paul reveals was not made known in other past generations, which reaches all the way back to the Old Testament, and Paul repeats it to make double sure we understand that it was never made known before.
When was the mystery of the church revealed?
In earlier generations God did not make the secret known to people, but now He revealed it to His holy apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.