"4By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel," - Ephesians 3:4-6 (NASB)
The passage in Ephesians 3:4-6 gives deep insight into the mystery of Christ and God’s plan to save all people. Paul talks about the revelation of this mystery, which was not fully understood in the past but has now been explained to his holy messengers by the Holy Spirit.
The phrase “when you read” in verse 4 likely refers to the public reading1 of Paul’s letters in the early Christian gatherings, highlighting the communal aspect of spreading and understanding these fundamental truths. This inclusive approach matches the cyclical nature of Ephesians as a letter meant for wide distribution.
Verse 5 emphasizes how unique God’s revelation is, especially in showing His plan for saving everyone, going beyond cultural, social, and gender differences. This plan includes everyone, regardless of being Jew or Greek, rich or poor, slave or free, male or female, (see 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Galatians 3:28).
The passive verbs “was not made known” and “has now been revealed” show how God actively unveiled this important truth. This revelation reflects God’s plan throughout history, leading to the manifestation of the Father’s will, Jesus’ redemptive work, and the ongoing work of the Spirit, as described (see Ephesians 1:3-14).
The phrase “His holy apostles and prophets” in verse 5 refers to the people chosen to spread the new message of the gospel. These people, along with evangelists and pastor/teachers, were important in bringing together Jews and Gentiles to form the new church, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:20 and 4:11.
Verse 6 reveals a major change: Gentiles are now equal to Jews in the body of Christ and share in the promise through the gospel. This unity breaks down the old differences between Jew and Greek, showing equality in Christ, (Romans 2:28-29, Galatians 3:7-9, and Colossians 3:11).
The “syn” compounds2 like “fellow heirs,” “fellow members of one body,” and “fellow partakers of the promise” emphasize how believers in Christ are connected and share the same identity. This reflects Paul’s use of “syn” compounds to talk about the believer’s new life in Christ, as also shown in Ephesians 2:5-6.
In summary, Ephesians 3:4-6 talks about God’s plan to bring everyone together through the gospel of Christ. It shows how apostles and prophets play a crucial role in spreading this important message. This new plan includes creating a community, that is, the church, where believers from all backgrounds are united with Christ and each other. By believing in Jesus Christ, people become important members of the church and have access directly with the Father. Paul describes this as a “mystery” that reveals God’s boundless wisdom and represents a victory over evil powers. He emphasizes the significance of God’s redemptive plan as a great success.
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