Ephesians 3:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

How that {G3754} by {G2596} revelation {G602} he made known {G1107} unto me {G3427} the mystery {G3466};(as {G2531} I wrote afore {G4270} in {G1722} few words {G3641},

Complete Jewish Bible

and that it was by a revelation that this secret plan was made known to me. I have already written about it briefly,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 3:3 introduces the profound truth that Paul's understanding of the gospel, particularly concerning the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant people, was not a product of human ingenuity or tradition but a direct divine disclosure. This verse serves as a foundational assertion of Paul's apostolic authority and the supernatural origin of the "mystery" he is about to unfold, emphasizing that God Himself unveiled this previously hidden truth to him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 3:3 is nestled within Paul's fervent prayer and exposition regarding his unique apostleship to the Gentiles. Having concluded a profound theological section in chapter 2 that detailed the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles into one new humanity through Christ, Paul pivots in chapter 3 to explain his personal role in proclaiming this truth. Verse 1 begins with Paul identifying himself as "the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles," immediately establishing his solidarity with them and hinting at the suffering his mission entails. Verse 2 alludes to the "dispensation of the grace of God" given to him for the Gentiles, setting the stage for verse 3, which explicitly states the divine source of his knowledge. The parenthetical remark in verse 3, "(as I wrote afore in few words," refers back to earlier statements in the letter, likely [Ephesians 1:9-10](/ephesians/1-9-10 "Ephesians 1:9-10 - The Mystery of God's Will") or [Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Gentiles and Jews Reconciled"), where he touched upon the unity of Jew and Gentile. This verse thus functions as a crucial bridge, grounding Paul's subsequent detailed explanation of the mystery in divine revelation before he elaborates on its content in [Ephesians 3:4-6](/ephesians/3-4-6 "Ephesians 3:4-6 - The Mystery Revealed").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, "mysteries" (μυστήρια) were often associated with secret religious cults that had initiation rites and revealed hidden knowledge only to their adherents. Paul's use of "mystery" here, while drawing on the concept of something previously hidden, fundamentally redefines it. Unlike pagan mysteries that involved human effort to attain secret knowledge, the "mystery" Paul speaks of is a divine secret, freely revealed by God. The historical backdrop for this letter is the ongoing tension between Jewish and Gentile believers within the early Church. Many Jewish Christians struggled to fully accept Gentiles as co-heirs without requiring adherence to Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision. Paul's apostleship, specifically to the Gentiles, was often challenged. Therefore, his emphatic assertion that his understanding of Gentile inclusion came by direct divine revelation was crucial for establishing the legitimacy of his message and his authority, countering any claims that his gospel was merely a human innovation or a lesser form of truth.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ephesians and Pauline theology. The most prominent is **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that profound spiritual truths, especially God's redemptive plan, are not humanly conceived but divinely unveiled. This underscores the sovereignty of God in initiating and revealing His will. Closely related is the theme of **The "Mystery" of Christ**, a central concept in Paul's letters. Here, the "mystery" (Greek: _mystērion_) refers specifically to the astonishing truth that Gentiles are made "fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" ([Ephesians 3:6](/ephesians/3-6 "Ephesians 3:6 - Gentiles as Fellow Heirs")). This was a truth "hidden in God" for ages but now made known through Christ and His apostles. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **Apostolic Authority**, as Paul grounds his unique commission and the content of his gospel in a direct, personal encounter with divine revelation, much like his account in [Galatians 1:11-12](/galatians/1-11-12 "Galatians 1:11-12 - Paul's Gospel Not from Man"). This divine impartation validates his ministry and the universal scope of the gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **revelation (Greek, _apokálypsis'_):** From G602, meaning "disclosure," "an uncovering," or "an unveiling." This term signifies that something previously hidden or concealed has now been made visible or known. In a theological sense, it refers to God's act of making Himself or His will known to humanity, not through human discovery, but through divine initiative.
* **made known (Greek, _gnōrízō'_):** From G1107, meaning "to make known," "to certify," or "to declare." This verb emphasizes the active process of communication and imparting knowledge. It highlights that God was the agent who actively disclosed this truth to Paul, rather than Paul passively receiving it or discovering it himself.
* **mystery (Greek, _mystḗrion'_):** From G3466, meaning "a secret" or "mystery." In Pauline theology, this term does not imply something incomprehensible or obscure, but rather a divine truth that was previously hidden in God's eternal plan but has now been divinely revealed, particularly through the person and work of Christ and through the apostles. Here, it specifically refers to the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant blessings of God, on equal footing with Jewish believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery;":** This clause is the core assertion of the verse. Paul declares that his understanding of the "mystery" (which he will elaborate on in subsequent verses as the inclusion of Gentiles into the body of Christ) was not derived from human teaching, tradition, or intellectual discovery. Instead, it was directly "made known" to him "by revelation," signifying a supernatural, divine unveiling. The agent, "he," implicitly refers to God, or Christ, as the one who initiated this disclosure. This divine origin undergirds the authority and truthfulness of Paul's message.
* **"(as I wrote afore in few words,":** This parenthetical clause serves as a cross-reference to earlier parts of the letter. Paul reminds his readers that he has already touched upon this "mystery" in brief. While it is debated exactly where he refers to, likely candidates include [Ephesians 1:9-10](/ephesians/1-9-10 "Ephesians 1:9-10 - The Mystery of God's Will"), where he speaks of God's will to "gather together in one all things in Christ," or more specifically, [Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Gentiles and Jews Reconciled"), which details the breaking down of the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. This parenthetical statement underscores the coherence and consistency of Paul's teaching throughout the epistle.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 3:3 employs several literary devices that enhance its impact and meaning. The most prominent is **Apostolic Disclosure**, where Paul directly asserts the divine origin of his message, lending immense authority and credibility to the profound truth he is about to reveal. This is reinforced by the use of **Technical Terminology** like "revelation" (_apokálypsis_) and "mystery" (_mystḗrion_), which are loaded with theological significance in Pauline thought, signifying God's active unveiling of previously hidden truths. The phrase "(as I wrote afore in few words," functions as a clear **Parenthetical Statement**, providing a brief aside that refers the reader to earlier discussions within the letter, thereby demonstrating the interconnectedness and logical flow of Paul's theological argument. This also serves as a form of **Intertextual Reference** within the same epistle, inviting the reader to recall and connect previous points.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 3:3 is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of divine truth and the foundation of apostolic authority. It asserts that the profound theological insights Paul presents, especially regarding God's inclusive plan for humanity, are not human constructs but divinely revealed truths. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that God actively communicates His will to humanity, often through chosen vessels. The "mystery" unveiled to Paul, the inclusion of Gentiles as full co-heirs with Israel in the body of Christ, radically reshaped the understanding of God's covenant and the composition of His people. This truth, once hidden, now reveals the boundless scope of God's grace and His intention to create a unified new humanity in Christ, transcending ethnic and social barriers.
* [Galatians 1:11-12](/galatians/1-11-12 "Galatians 1:11-12 - Paul's Gospel by Revelation")
* [Romans 16:25-26](/romans/16-25-26 "Romans 16:25-26 - The Mystery Revealed")
* [Colossians 1:26-27](/colossians/1-26-27 "Colossians 1:26-27 - The Mystery of Christ in You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 3:3 invites us to reflect on the source of our spiritual understanding and the nature of God's revelation. Paul's experience reminds us that the deepest truths about God's plan are not discovered through human intellect or philosophical speculation, but are graciously unveiled by God Himself. This should cultivate humility in our pursuit of knowledge, prompting us to rely on divine illumination rather than solely on human wisdom. For believers today, this verse underscores the immense privilege of having God's revealed Word, the Bible, which contains these once-hidden mysteries. It calls us to approach Scripture with reverence, recognizing it as God's self-disclosure, and to pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance to comprehend its depths. Furthermore, the "mystery" of Gentile inclusion, now a foundational truth of the Church, challenges us to embrace and celebrate the diversity within the body of Christ, actively breaking down any remaining walls of division and extending God's boundless grace to all people, just as He intended.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's emphasis on "revelation" challenge our modern tendency to rely solely on human reason or empirical evidence for truth?**
* **What "mysteries" of God's character or plan have been "made known" to you personally through Scripture or spiritual experience?**
* **In what ways can we, as the Church, better embody the "mystery" of Gentile inclusion, ensuring that all people feel equally welcomed and valued within the body of Christ?**

### FAQ

**What exactly is "the mystery" Paul refers to in Ephesians 3:3?**

Answer: In Ephesians 3:3, "the mystery" (Greek: _mystḗrion_) refers not to something incomprehensible or a puzzle, but to a divine truth that was previously hidden in God's eternal plan but has now been revealed. Paul explicitly defines this mystery in [Ephesians 3:6](/ephesians/3-6 "Ephesians 3:6 - Gentiles as Fellow Heirs"): "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel." This was a profound and revolutionary truth for the first-century audience, as it meant that non-Jews were now fully included in God's covenant blessings and formed one unified body with Jewish believers through faith in Christ, without needing to become Jewish proselytes or adhere to the full Mosaic Law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 3:3, while focusing on Paul's personal revelation, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself, who is the very embodiment and revealer of God's "mystery." The "mystery" that was "made known" to Paul—the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family—is not merely a theological concept but a reality accomplished through Christ's atoning sacrifice. It is Christ who "hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down Barriers")), making peace and creating "in himself of twain one new man" ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - One New Humanity in Christ")). This revelation of the unified body of Christ, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, was God's eternal purpose, "which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" ([Ephesians 3:11](/ephesians/3-11 "Ephesians 3:11 - God's Eternal Purpose in Christ Jesus")). Thus, Jesus is not only the subject of the mystery but also the means by which it is revealed and fulfilled, demonstrating God's boundless grace extending to all humanity, drawing them into His saving embrace through faith in the crucified and risen Lord. The "revelation" Paul received was fundamentally a revelation of Christ and His universal saving work, making Him the central figure in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for all nations, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles") and fulfilled in the New Covenant.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 1:12

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Romans 16:25

¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Ephesians 1:9

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Ephesians 1:11

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Ephesians 3:9

And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 3:4

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Colossians 1:26

[Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: