The word “mystery” occurs twenty-two times in the New Testament, most often in the writings of Paul. The apostle used the word ten times in Ephesians and Colossians alone. Our English word is translated from the Greek, musterion, which has an interesting history. According to Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the term means “primarily that which is known to the mustes, ‘the initiated’’’ (424). Ancient religious cults often held ceremonies that were open only to those who had been initiated into the secret teaching of the group. These enlightened ones then gained special status and privileges not available to outsiders. Words, however, are ultimately defined by their use, and the New Testament context suggests a different sense of meaning.
In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious, but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense a “mystery” implies knowledge withheld; its Scriptural significance is truth revealed. (424)
Notice this pattern in the letter to the Ephesians. Paul explained his knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which consisted of the following: “that Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). This mystery was unknown to the men of other ages (3:5) but was part of God’s eternal purpose (3:11). When the time was right (1:10), God brought His plan to fruition in Christ, and then He revealed the message of the Gospel to man through the Holy Spirit (3:5). Once revealed, the Gospel was no longer a mystery as such, but was intended to be shared with all men (3:4, 9).
Consider the implication of Paul’s message. First, spiritual truth is unattainable without God. The mystery does not disclose itself to man, and no amount of searching can uncover God’s hidden purpose (1 Peter 1:10-12). Second, God wants man to know His will. Paul wrote that the revelation of the mystery was according to God’s good pleasure (Ephesians 1:9). God wants a relationship with His people, and that comes through knowledge (John 15:15). Finally, God has revealed His greatest work to man through Jesus Christ. This is not a claim that man knows all that God knows, but rather a recognition that what God chose to reveal is very valuable. The scheme of redemption was centuries in the making from the call of Abraham to the contributions of multiple world empires. When all the preparations were complete, God revealed His masterpiece (Ephesians 1:10). In Christ the church is to display God’s manifold wisdom to the world (Ephesians 3:10).
Post-modern culture has sparked a renewed interest in the mysterious aspects of religion. Christianity, however, is not based on decoding secrets or searching for subjective truth within self, but rather a life changing response to the objective truth of Jesus Christ. The greatest mysteries of the Christian faith have been revealed in the New Testament. Thank God for such a powerful gift.
Works Cited
“Mystery,” Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Ed. Merrill F. Unger, W.E. Vine and William White, Jr. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994.
