The Mystery Revealed
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v.1
For what reason?
For the purpose of building God’s church, as mentioned in the previous verses.
Paul identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ for the gentiles.
He was specifically referring to his imprisonment in Rome, which was because of his ministry to the gentiles.
Paul was imprisoned for His Ministry
Paul was imprisoned for His Ministry
2 Timothy 1:11-12
2 Timothy 1:11-12
to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
vv.2-3
This was not something that Paul chose, rather it was given to him. You could say it was thrust upon him on his way to Damascus.
God had commissioned him with the calling, spiritual gifts, opportunities, knowledge, and authority to minister as the apostle to the Gentiles
Paul didn’t choose his ministry, God put him in it
Paul didn’t choose his ministry, God put him in it
1 Timothy 1:12-13
1 Timothy 1:12-13
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Paul had been very content in his life, before he was struck down on the road to Damascus.
He had no doubt that he was carrying out God’s work, and was probably on the way to persecute more Christians, whom he considered heretics.
Paul had been very prominent among the pharisees when, by grace, God saved him.
Paul was saved for a purpose, and that purpose was to preach the Gospel to the gentiles.
This did not sit well among the Jews. The religious leaders in Jerusalem, who felt threatened by Christ’s teachings.
They didn’t believe he was the Messiah, and they pressured the Romans to arrest Paul and bring him to trial for treason and causing rebellion among the Jews.
Even though he was under arrest, Paul maintained his firm belief that God was in control of everything that happened to him.
Though he may have suffered for the sake of Christ, because of his calling, he persevered on.
Paul Persevered, despite his suffering
Paul Persevered, despite his suffering
2 Timothy 2:8-9
2 Timothy 2:8-9
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
2 Timothy 4:7
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Indeed, he had what most would have considered an ideal life prior to his salvation. However, even in light of his suffering, Paul considered himself to have gained rather than to have lost.
Philippians 3:4-8
Philippians 3:4-8
though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Philippians 4:11-13
Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Despite his suffering, Paul had gained the most precious knowledge available…The mystery of the knowledge of Christ and His Gospel, and that it can being both Jews and Gentiles together as one in the body of Christ.
Despite his suffering, Paul had gained the most precious knowledge available…The mystery of the knowledge of Christ and His Gospel, and that it can being both Jews and Gentiles together as one in the body of Christ.
Specifically the good news that the grace of God, provided through Jesus Christ, can take both Jews and Gentiles, bring them together, and make something new and better out of them...Christians...the church. (v.6)
v.4
Pauls purpose was to make known to them, His knowledge of Christ…this “mystery”.
This, of course, is our purpose as well, to make Christ known to those who are lost.
Christians have a knowledge of Him, and it must be shared.
v.5
There was a time when this knowledge was not known, it remained a mystery.
Though Christ was prophetically revealed in different ways throughout the Old Testament, the concept of Jews and Gentiles being united as one body, the church, had not been revealed.
Paul points out that it has now been revealed. The Holy Spirit has revealed it to the apostles and prophets.
Note that Paul doesn’t claim to be the sole recipient of this knowledge, and we should always beware of anyone who claims to have some exclusive knowledge. That is a sure sign of a false teacher.
v.6
The main point of contention with this knowledge, was not only that Jesus was the Messiah, but also that “the Gentiles should be fellow heirs” of Christ.
The orthodox Jews of the day believed that they, exclusively, were God’s heirs (even though they didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah).
The attitude of many Christian Jews (though they did believe in Christ) wasn’t much better. They still believed that the Gentiles had to jump though a bunch of Jewish hoops in order to be Christians.
But regardless of one’s belief and hostile attitude, the truth doesn’t change.
Galatians 3:29
Galatians 3:29
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
False teachings and attitudes of exclusivity is why it was not enough for Paul to simply to win them to Christ and form them into local assemblies.
He was also to teach them their position in Christ as members of the body, sharing God’s grace equally with the Jews.
False teachings and attitudes of exclusivity stil exist among some Christians today, and like Paul, we can’t stop short.
The goal should be evangelism followed by discipleship.
v.7
When Paul became a servant of the gospel, God gave him the ability to share the gospel of Christ effectively.
You are not an apostle, and you may not be an evangelist, but God will give you opportunities to tell others about Christ. And with the opportunities he will provide the ability, courage, and power.
Make yourself available to God as his servant whenever an opportunity presents itself.
By the grace of God, Paul was made a minister of this truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It may have brought suffering along with it, but the gift is a working of God’s power; therefore, no one was able to stop it.,
Likewise, The ministry granted to every believer is given by the power and grace of God.
As such, It cannot be stopped. Though we may suffer for it, God’s work will continue, and will always bear fruit.
God’s work will continue and will always bear fruit
God’s work will continue and will always bear fruit
Philippians 1:6
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Isaiah 55:11
Isaiah 55:11
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.