Yes, the mystery is the body of truth and doctrine specially revealed through Paul.
Paul uses the word mystery (Greek: mysterion, meaning secret) to describe truths God had kept hidden since the world began. These secrets were revealed to Paul by revelation and made known to the Church. This revelation was not found in the Old Testament or in Christ's earthly ministry.
Romans 16:25 — Paul directly connects his gospel and preaching of Jesus Christ with the revelation of the mystery.
The Apostle Paul uses the Greek word mysterion, translated as 'mystery' or 'secret,' to refer to truth that had been hidden. In Romans 16:25, he speaks of 'the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.' This indicates that the mystery was a divine secret, concealed in the mind of God and not previously revealed to humanity.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul uses the term 'mystery' or 'secret' to describe a unique body of truth revealed directly to him by the ascended Lord. This revelation was kept secret in the mind of God until it was time to reveal it to Paul. This mystery includes what Les calls 'the Gospel of the grace of God,' which was unknown to the Old Testament prophets, the Gospels, and even Peter's ministry in Acts. He emphasizes that this was a new revelation, though it was present in latent form in the Old Testament and builds upon all that came before.
Les explains that the word 'mystery' in Greek is 'mysterion,' which simply means 'secret.' He says 'a secret is a mystery, and a mystery is a secret.' Paul uses this word over and over to indicate that he is revealing something that God had kept hidden and was now unveiling through him. Les stresses that these are truths that were 'kept secret in the mind of God until He revealed them to the apostle Paul.'
According to Les, the mystery involves the whole sphere of doctrine and revelations that came through Paul. This includes the Gospel of the grace of God, which goes out to Jew and Gentile alike. He says that 'the Old Testament knew nothing of what we call the Gospel of the grace of God. The Gospels know nothing of Paul's Gospel.' This new revelation was 'kept secret' and is now 'coming out into full view and into full understanding.'
Les is emphatic that these truths were not made known in other ages or generations. He references Ephesians 3:5, '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.' He connects this with the reality of God's prerogative to keep things secret until His chosen time to reveal them.
Why the Rapture Is a Secret Most Christians Miss - Romans 16:25 Explained
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Revelation of the Mystery
Les teaches that Paul's phrase 'revelation of the mystery' in Romans 16:25 is vital, showing that the mystery was a secret kept hidden by God and now revealed.
God's Prerogative to Keep Secrets
Les explains that the mystery was kept secret in the mind of God until He revealed it to Paul, emphasizing that God has the prerogative to hide things until the right time.
The Hidden Wisdom of God
Les teaches that the gospel of grace was not known in the Old Testament or Gospels, and Paul's revelation of the mystery brings this hidden wisdom into full view.
Revelation to Paul
Les emphasizes that the mystery was revealed to Paul by direct revelation, not through human teachers, and was not made known to men in previous ages.
Mystery as Secret
Les explains the Greek word 'mysterion' simply means 'secret,' and Paul often uses this word to introduce new revelation from God.
Why Peter Didn't Preach the Gospel in Acts 3
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery, or a secret, as I wrote before in a few words, whereby when you read you may understand my knowledge as a result of revelations in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages, or generations, or administrations, or dispensations, they all come from the same root word, was not made known.
Latent Form in Old Testament
Les teaches that the mystery was present in the Old Testament in latent form, but its full meaning was not revealed until it was unveiled through Paul.
Romans 16:25: Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
This verse is central as it explicitly connects Paul's gospel with the revelation of a long-hidden secret.
Ephesians 3:3: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Paul states that the mystery was made known to him by direct revelation from God.
Ephesians 3:5: 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;
This verse emphasizes that the mystery was hidden from previous generations and only now revealed.
1 Corinthians 15:51: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
Here, Paul uses the term 'mystery' to introduce a previously hidden truth about the rapture of believers.
Paul received it by direct revelation from the ascended Lord Jesus, not from any human teacher or seminary. He says in Ephesians 3:3, 'How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery.' This new revelation was part of the body of truth given only to Paul.
Les teaches that the Old Testament had the mystery in latent form, but its full content was not revealed. It was a secret in God's mind, and now, looking back, we can see it was there all along, but it was not made known to the sons of men until Paul.
The mystery is the body of truth that Paul reveals, and the Gospel of the grace of God is a key part of it. Les says the Old Testament and the Gospels knew nothing of this specific Gospel that Paul preached to both Jew and Gentile.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Rapture Is a Secret Most Christians Miss - Romans 16:25 Explained