What is the primary meaning of the term mystery in Ephesians, and who is it primarily about?

What is the primary meaning of the term mystery in Ephesians, and who is it primarily about?

• A. Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body through the gospel
• B. Angels have a role in salvation history
• C. The Law is the path to righteousness
• D. Christ's kingdom will be established on earth

Answer: (A)

In Ephesians, the mystery refers to a truth once hidden but now revealed in Christ—the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s people. Paul explains that this mystery is that Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. This emphasizes the unity of Jews and Gentiles in one community, not through the Law, but through grace shown in the gospel. The other ideas—angels playing a role in salvation history, the Law as the path to righteousness, or a future earthly kingdom—don’t capture the specific revelation Paul calls the mystery, which centers on Gentile inclusion into the people of God.

In Ephesians, the mystery refers to a truth once hidden but now revealed in Christ—the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s people. Paul explains that this mystery is that Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. This emphasizes the unity of Jews and Gentiles in one community, not through the Law, but through grace shown in the gospel. The other ideas—angels playing a role in salvation history, the Law as the path to righteousness, or a future earthly kingdom—don’t capture the specific revelation Paul calls the mystery, which centers on Gentile inclusion into the people of God.