Ephesians 3:3 – “That is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.”

Extended Explanation

Paul is talking about a “mystery” that was revealed to him. In the Bible, a “mystery” doesn’t mean something puzzling or unknown forever—it refers to a truth that was previously hidden but is now made clear by God. Paul is explaining that this mystery was not something he figured out on his own; God revealed it to him directly.

The mystery Paul is referring to is that Gentiles (non-Jews) are now fully included in God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. This truth was not fully understood in earlier times, but through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, it was now revealed. Paul had already touched on this idea in his earlier writings (such as in Ephesians 1:9-10 and Ephesians 2:11-22), but now he is emphasizing that this is not his own idea—it comes directly from God.

Historical Context

Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison in Rome. His arrest was directly related to this very “mystery” he was preaching—that Gentiles were included in God’s salvation plan without needing to follow Jewish customs (Acts 21:27-29). Many Jewish leaders found this idea offensive because, for centuries, they had understood themselves to be God’s chosen people in a unique way.

In the Old Testament, God’s plan for the Gentiles was hinted at (Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 49:6), but it was not fully understood. Many Jewish believers expected the Messiah to set up a kingdom primarily for Israel. But God revealed to Paul (and other apostles) that Jesus came to unite both Jews and Gentiles into one family of faith (Ephesians 2:14-18). This truth was now being openly declared and taught to the church.

Theological Implications

1. God’s Truth Is Revealed by Him – The gospel message is not a human invention. Paul didn’t make it up; he received it directly from God. This reminds us that true spiritual understanding comes from God’s revelation, not human wisdom.
2. God’s Plan Is for All People – The inclusion of Gentiles in salvation was always part of God’s plan, but it was only now fully revealed through Jesus. God’s grace is extended to all, not just one nation.
3. Scripture Confirms God’s Revelation – Paul points out that he had already written about this mystery, showing that God’s truth is consistent and not just based on one person’s experience.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses the phrase “made known to me by revelation,” emphasizing that this truth didn’t come from study or personal insight but from direct divine communication. This is consistent with what he says elsewhere (Galatians 1:11-12), where he explains that he received the gospel message through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

The word “mystery” is key in Paul’s letters. He often uses it to refer to truths that were once hidden but are now revealed through Christ (Romans 16:25-26, Colossians 1:26-27). In this passage, he also reminds the readers that he has written about this before, reinforcing the idea that this revelation is not new or uncertain.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 16:25-26 – Paul speaks of the mystery that was hidden for long ages but is now revealed.
• Colossians 1:26-27 – The mystery of Christ in us, revealed to all people.
• Galatians 1:11-12 – Paul explains that he received the gospel not from man but from Jesus Christ Himself.
• Acts 9:15-16 – Paul is chosen by God to bring the gospel to the Gentiles.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse reminds us that spiritual truth comes from God, not from human reasoning alone. Just as Paul received divine revelation about God’s plan, we too need to rely on God’s Word and His Spirit to understand spiritual things.

It also reassures us that God’s plan is bigger than we might think. Just as many Jewish believers struggled to accept that God’s grace extended to the Gentiles, we must be careful not to limit God’s work to our own understanding. God’s love reaches beyond our expectations.

Additionally, this verse challenges us to trust God’s Word. The truth Paul preached was consistent with Scripture and confirmed by other apostles. Today, we can trust that God’s revelation in the Bible is complete and sufficient for us.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He reveals His truth to us. He does not leave us in the dark or make salvation a secret that only a few can find. Instead, He has made His plan clear through Jesus Christ.

The fact that God included the Gentiles in His salvation plan shows His desire to save all people, not just one group. His love is wide-reaching, patient, and merciful. He doesn’t withhold His grace but makes it known so that anyone who believes can be saved.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the key to this “mystery” that Paul is talking about. The truth that Paul received by revelation is that Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for all people—Jews and Gentiles—to be part of God’s family.

• Jesus Himself spoke of bringing in “other sheep” (John 10:16), referring to the Gentiles.
• After His resurrection, Jesus commanded His followers to take the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).
• Paul later explains that Jesus broke down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14-16), creating one new people in Christ.

Without Jesus, this mystery would remain hidden. But through Him, God’s plan is fully revealed.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean that God’s truth is revealed rather than discovered by human effort?
2. How does knowing that salvation is for all people change the way we think about evangelism and outreach?
3. Are there areas in our lives where we, like the early Jewish believers, might struggle to accept God’s bigger plan?
4. How can we rely on God’s Word to confirm spiritual truth rather than personal opinions or cultural ideas?
5. What does this passage teach us about trusting God’s timing in revealing His plans?

Ephesians 3:3 teaches us that God’s truth is not hidden but revealed at the right time. His plan was always to bring salvation to all people, and through Jesus, this mystery is now made known. Like Paul, we are called to share this good news with others and trust in the power of God’s revealed Word.