Was the mystery of Christ known before Paul's time?
No. The mystery of Christ had been hidden in God from the beginning of the world and was not made known in other ages or generations to the sons of men. It was revealed only by revelation to the apostle and is now disclosed by the prophets and spirits.
Les teaches that revelation means an unveiling, something kept under wraps that is suddenly made known. In verse 5, the mystery was "not made known" in other ages or generations unto the sons of men, but is now revealed. Verse 9 says this secret was hid from the beginning of the world, meaning from Adam, in God—the same God who created everything through Jesus Christ. Les explains that this tells us there was a time when no one knew these things. The mystery includes that the Gentiles should come in under God's grace.