The Mystery Hidden and Revealed - Week 5

Ephesians 3:1-13


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The Mystery Hidden and Revealed

Read Ephesians 3:1-13

1. Read v. 1. Where is Paul writing from (see Introductory materials). Who exactly is he addressing now? Who is the prisoner in the book of Daniel and who is the main Gentile figure (see Daniel 1)? What is God repeatedly described as revealing there? (see Daniel 2:18-19; 27-28; 47). What is the parallel of these passages of Daniel with Ephesians?
(a) Paul is writing from prison in Rome in the spring of 63 A.D. (b) Paul is addressing the Gentile believers. (c) The prisoner is Daniel and the main Gentile is Nebuchadnez'zar. (d) God is repeatedly described as revealing mysteries. (e) The parallel between these passages and Ephesians is that God, through Paul, is still revealing a mystery.

2. Read v. 2. What does Paul mean by the "stewardship of God's grace"? On whose behalf was it given to Paul?
(a) Paul means by "stewardship of God's grace" that he has been given a grace by God for which he is responsible. (b) This grace was given to Paul on behalf of the Gentiles.

3. Read v. 3. What is the "mystery"? How was it made known to Paul? What is revelation?
(a) The mystery is the Church. (b) It is made know to Paul by revelation. (c) Revelation in this context is a reference to knowledge made known by God.

4. Read v. 4. Is Paul boasting here? If not, why not?
(a) Paul is not boasting here. (b) Because he has already stated that his "insight" is a grace of God.

5. Read v. 5. What was not made known to other generations? What was made known to the apostles and prophets?
(a) This revelation was not made known to other generations. (b) What has been made known to the apostles and the prophets is that "the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel".

6. Read v. 6. Who are Gentiles? What are they fellow heirs of? What does the word "member" mean in Paul's writings? What is the "promise"? What is the "gospel"?
(a) Gentile refers to anyone who is not Jewish. (b) They are fellow heirs to the Kingdom of God. (c) When Paul uses the word "member" to mean a bodily member. (d) The promise is salvation for those who persevere. (e) The gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins.

7. Read v. 7. What does it mean to be a "minister" of the gospel? On what basis was Paul made a minister?
(a) To be a "minister" of the gospel is to be a care-taker and witness of the message. (b) Paul was chosen by Christ and was made a minister by the Church.

8. Read v. 8. Is Paul boasting of his insight into the gospel? If not, then what is Paul saying? What is the nature of the ministry given him? What is he called to do?
(a) Paul is not boasting of his insight into the gospel. (b) He is saying that even someone as unworthy as himself has been granted a grace from God. (c) The nature of the ministry given him is one of servitude. (d) He is called to "preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ".

9. Read v. 9. What is Paul speaking of when he refers to the "plan of the mystery"? What does he mean by speaking of the plan as both "hidden for ages in God" and now "revealed" (see Points to Ponder)?
(a) Paul is speaking of Redemptive Act of Christ when he refers to the "plan of the mystery". (b) The Old Testament spoke of the Messiah to come. As Jesus stated in John's Gospel:
You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me (John 5:39, RSV)


10. Read v. 10. Through what is the manifold wisdom of God revealed? To whom?
(a) Through the Church. (b) To "the principalities and powers in the heavenly places".

11. Read v. 11. What was the "eternal purpose" that Paul speaks of?
(a) The eternal purpose was to be in union with God.

12. Read v. 12. To what do we have "access"? What is Paul alluding to here?
(a) We have access to God the Father. (b) Paul is alluding to the intercessory role of Christ.

13. Read v. 13. Why are Paul's readers not to lose heart? For whom is Paul suffering? What is the point of Paul's suffering if Jesus has already suffered for our sins?
(a) Paul's readers are not to lose heart due to Paul's suffering. (b) Paul is suffering for the Gentiles. (c) In answer to the need for suffering, here is a quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
"Christ unites us with his Passover: all his members must strive to resemble him, 'until Christ be formed' in them.[Gal 4:19 .] 'For this reason we . . . are taken up into the mysteries of his life, . . . associated with his sufferings as the body with its head, suffering with him, that with him we may be glorified.'[LG 7 # 4; cf. Phil 3:21 ; Rom 8:17 .]" (CCC, 793)
Therefore, if we are members of Christ's body, the Church, then just as Christ suffered for others, we should also expect to offer our suffering for others.


Disclaimer: I do not wish to present myself as an expert in either theology, history, or scriptural interpretation. I am merely someone who is attempting to answer the call of Christ. The ultimate authority and interpreter of scripture is our Holy Catholic Church. If at any point I deviate from the teachings of the Church, please correct me, alfredo@nevarez.net, as this is my shortcoming and in no way meant to be an expression of my views superceding those of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

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 Alfredo Nevarez
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