6694 mystery

Normally, God’s plan of salvation which, though once unknown to human beings, is now revealed by God.

God’s character and purpose cannot be discerned by human reason

Job 11:7 See also Job 38:1-42:6

God reveals his plans through dreams, interpreted by his servant

Da 2:28 Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams require the interpretation that God discloses to Daniel before they can be understood as a revelation of divine purposes for Babylon and the surrounding nations. See also Da 2:17-49; Da 4:9

God’s mysteries are revealed to a man inspired by his Spirit Da 4:18 See also Am 3:7

The mystery of God’s kingdom

Mt 13:11 pp Mk 4:11 pp Lk 8:10 God’s plan to establish his kingdom is revealed only to those chosen to receive it. To those “outside” it is hidden in parables.

Mystery as God’s plan of salvation

God’s plan, now revealed, has been hidden for long ages Eph 3:9 The use of “mystery” in this sense is found particularly in Paul’s letters. See also Ro 16:25; 1Co 2:7; Col 1:26

God’s plan is fulfilled in Jesus Christ Eph 1:9 See also Eph 3:4; Col 2:2; 1Ti 3:16 The “mystery of godliness” is the revealed secret that produces godliness in people.

God’s plan through Jesus Christ is for the salvation of Gentiles as well as Jews Eph 3:6 See also Ro 11:25; Col 1:27

Ultimately God’s plan is for the transformation of the whole creation Eph 1:9-10 See also 1Co 15:51-53; Rev 10:7; Rev 17:5-8

God’s plan is revealed by his Spirit so that his servants may publicly proclaim it Eph 3:8-9 See also Eph 3:4-6; Eph 6:19; Col 1:25-27; Col 4:3; Rev 10:7

Mystery as other aspects of God’s purposes, spiritually discerned 2Th 2:7 Paul’s reference to “the secret power (literally “mystery”) of lawlessness” suggests that we know some things about evil only as God reveals them. See also 1Co 13:2; 1Co 14:2

Mystery as an allegorical understanding of a biblical text, revealed to Paul by God Eph 5:31-32 Paul sees Ge 2:24 as symbolising the unity between Jesus Christ and his church; the unity of husband and wife is a human reflection of that relationship.

See also