Ephesians 3 3

Ephesians 3:3

ESV: how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.

KJV: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

NIV: that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

NKJV: how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,

NLT: As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.

Meaning

Ephesians 3:3 conveys that Paul's understanding of God's previously hidden plan—the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant blessings of Israel, forming one body with Jewish believers in Christ—was not by human insight but through a direct, divine unveiling. He reiterates that he has already introduced this profound truth briefly earlier in the letter, indicating that the full explanation is about to unfold.

Cross References

Context

Ephesians Chapter 3 begins Paul's prayer, interrupted by an explanation of his unique apostolic ministry, which primarily involves revealing God's plan for the Gentiles. Verse 3 serves as a bridge, affirming the divine source of this knowledge. Paul had briefly mentioned "the mystery" in Eph 1:9-10 concerning God's plan for all things in Christ and elaborated on the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the body of Christ in Eph 2:11-22. Therefore, verse 3, "as I wrote afore in few words," directly references these earlier sections, particularly the profound truth that the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been broken down, allowing both to become fellow members of the body of Christ. The immediate context of Ephesians is God's eternal purpose in Christ, the calling of the church, and the reconciliation of all things through Him. Historically, the inclusion of Gentiles without full conversion to Judaism was a radical concept for many early Jewish Christians, necessitating strong apostolic affirmation rooted in divine revelation.

Word analysis

• how that (καθώς - kathōs): "Just as," "even as," "inasmuch as." Indicates the manner or degree. It sets the stage for what follows, specifying how the mystery was made known.
• by revelation (ἀποκαλύψει - apokalypsi): From apokalypsis, meaning "unveiling," "disclosure," or "revealing." This word emphasizes that the knowledge did not come from human wisdom, intellectual insight, or tradition, but through an act of divine unveiling by God Himself. It is a removal of a veil that had obscured truth.
• he made known (ἐγνώρισεν - egnōrisen): From gnōrizō, "to make known," "to cause to know," "to declare." The action verb stresses that God actively communicated or revealed this knowledge. It implies intentional and specific declaration.
• unto me (μοι - moi): Refers directly to the Apostle Paul. This highlights his unique and divinely commissioned role as the primary human recipient of this specific revelation concerning the Gentiles. His apostleship to the Gentiles is foundational to his ministry.
• the mystery (τὸ μυστήριον - to mystērion): Not a puzzle or something incomprehensible, but a truth previously hidden by God and now divinely disclosed to His people, especially to Paul for wider proclamation. In Pauline theology, this specific mystery primarily refers to the inclusion of Gentiles alongside Jews into God's covenant blessings in Christ, creating one new humanity, the Church, with equal standing and privilege. It was a secret hidden for ages, now unveiled.
• as I wrote afore (καθὼς προέγραψα - kathōs proegrapsa): "As I wrote previously," "just as I wrote earlier." Paul refers back to a previous section of this very letter (Ephesians 1:9-10 and especially Ephesians 2:11-22) where he had already touched upon this topic of Gentile inclusion and the divine plan. It signifies a logical continuation and expansion of an earlier point.
• in few words (ἐν ὀλίγῳ - en oligō): "Briefly," "summarily." This phrase confirms that the previous mention was concise and not exhaustive. Paul implies that he is now about to expand on this profound truth with more detail, fulfilling the expectation set by his brief earlier mention.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery": This phrase underlines the supernatural origin of Paul's understanding. It wasn't something he figured out or learned from other people, but a direct, active unveiling by God to him specifically. This divine revelation legitimizes his apostleship and the universal gospel he preaches. The "mystery" is thus a divinely revealed secret, critical for understanding God's new covenant purposes.
• "as I wrote afore in few words": This serves as an internal cross-reference within Ephesians. Paul validates his current statement by appealing to his consistent teaching throughout the letter, affirming the unity of his message. It prepares the reader for the more extensive explanation of "the mystery" that follows immediately in the subsequent verses (Ephesians 3:4-6), where he clearly defines what this mystery entails.

Commentary

Ephesians 3:3 succinctly captures the essence of Paul's apostleship and the revolutionary truth at the heart of the gospel. The pivotal word is "revelation," signaling that this truth originated from God's initiative, not human discovery. God Himself "made known" this profound truth, often referred to as "the mystery," to Paul personally. This highlights Paul's unique role as an apostle specifically commissioned to proclaim this "mystery" to the Gentiles. This mystery, distinct from simple secrets, refers to God's eternal purpose, hidden for ages but now unveiled in Christ: that believing Gentiles are co-heirs, co-members of the body, and co-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, on equal standing with believing Jews. This dissolved ancient prejudices and reconciled humanity to God and to one another in a single, unified church. Paul's reference "as I wrote afore in few words" subtly directs the reader back to earlier discussions within Ephesians, especially in chapter 1 regarding God's will and chapter 2 concerning the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles, setting the stage for the more comprehensive unveiling of the mystery in the verses immediately following. This verse emphasizes the divine source, the personal recipient (Paul), and the preparatory nature of this crucial declaration.

Bonus section

The divine origin of this mystery underscores that the gospel of the church's unity is not a human innovation but God's sovereign plan. This also solidifies Paul's authority to preach it, distinguishing his message from merely human teachings or philosophies. The "mystery" in Pauline thought consistently refers to a divinely hidden truth that, once revealed, sheds light on God's overarching redemptive plan through Christ. The emphasis on "unto me" highlights the specific stewardship entrusted to Paul, though it does not imply he was the only recipient, but that his ministry was uniquely focused on declaring this to the Gentiles. The content of this mystery was radically counter-cultural in its original Jewish-Gentile context, yet it demonstrates God's consistent plan of salvation extended to all who believe.

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