LESSON 4- Ephesians
Chapter 3
The Mystery- Revelation
Our Inheritance in Christ Cont.’
Chapter 3:1-21
Eph.3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
3:8 I am the lowest ranked saint by far. (My claim to fame emphasizes the fact that grace is a gift and certainly not a reward for good behavior.) His grace alone qualifies me to declare this unexplored treasure of Christ in the nations. Mirror Translation
Eph. 3:9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
3:9 The unveiling of this eternal secret is to bring into public view an association that has always been hidden in God; Jesus Christ is the blueprint of creation. Mirror Translation
Unsearchable Riches of Christ
The Greek for “unsearchable riches” is translated “boundless riches”, without measure, infinite.
Paul taught and preached THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.
The unsearchable riches of Christ cannot be fully traced out without revelation from Him. “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9), so the riches of Christ include all that God is.
The unsearchable riches of Christ are the Glory of God, the Truth of God, the Wisdom of God, the Life of God, and the Love of God. In Christ, God “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3). In Christ are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). In Christ, God “has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3).
The treasures of Christ are inexhaustible, they are unsearchable, and they are eternal, was, is and is to come.
Some of them are:
- Riches of heavenly knowledge, understanding, and spiritual revelation.
- Riches of redeeming love.
- Riches of pardoning mercy.
- Riches of sanctifying grace.
- Riches of consolation and hope.
- Riches of immortality and glory.
The riches of Christ are also unsearchable because their full value cannot be appreciated by mortal/sense/soulish minds. Unlike anything else familiar to us, their value cannot be diminished with time or use. In fact, time will actually increase their value.
Fellowship of the Mystery
Once again mystery is mentioned. In 20 instances, Paul speaks of a mystery or secret (Greek: mystērion) of God. So, this is very important.
TO SEE THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY (God’s plan) ONE MUST NOT BE SENSE /SOULISH RULED. You can only receive revelation by the Spirit.
Related Scriptures:
Hebrews 5:12-14″For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.
“For everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
“But solid food belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Jesus said to his disciples that “the knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven has been given to you” (Matt. 13:11, Mark. 4:11 and Luke 8:10). The Apostle Paul speaks of the “mystery of Christ” and the “mystery of the Gospel” (Eph. 3:4, Col. 4:3 and Eph. 6:19).
Believers were “those entrusted with the mysteries of God” and they proclaimed the Word so that the hearers “may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ” (1 Cor. 4:1, Eph. 3:9 and Col. 2:2). This “mystery of godliness” and “the mystery of faith” had to be kept with a pure conscience (1 Tim. 3:9 and 3:16).
Look in previous lessons for a list (never inclusive) of The Mysteries.
Mysteries of God are spiritual truths known only by revelation. God reveals His mysteries to those who are have an eye to see and hears to hear. Some of God’s mysteries are yet to be revealed.
- It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, Matt. 13:11.
- Though I understand all mysteries and have not charity, I am nothing, 1 Cor. 13:2.
The Book of Revelation is the ultimate mystery revealed, The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
We will continue with Lesson 4 next week.