The concept of 'mystery' in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul, is a profound and enduring theme that has captivated theologians and Biblical scholars for centuries. Paul's use of the term' mystery' is not to indicate something that is incomprehensible or obscure, but rather to describe something that was once hidden but has now been revealed by God. This revelation is evident in his letter to the Ephesians, where he speaks explicitly about the 'mystery' that has been made known to the Gentiles. In Ephesians 3:6, Paul declares, 'This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel' (Ephesians 3:6, ESV). This revelation of the mystery is not a new idea in the Biblical narrative but is rooted in the Old Testament, specifically in the prophetic writings such as Isaiah 49:5-6. This blog post will delve into the theological significance of this 'mystery,' its roots in Isaiah's prophecy, and its implications for the Church.
The Concept of "Mystery" in Paul's Writings
In the Pauline epistles, the term "mystery" (Greek: mysterion) is used frequently, especially in relation to God's redemptive plan. Paul uses the term not in the sense of something that is puzzling or enigmatic but rather to describe a divine truth that was previously hidden but has now been disclosed. In Colossians 1:26-27, Paul writes, "the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26-27, ESV). Here, Paul emphasizes that the mystery is not merely a doctrine or a teaching, but it is intimately connected with the person of Christ and the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's salvation plan.
Ephesians 3:6 is a key verse in understanding this mystery. Paul states, 'This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel' (Ephesians 3:6, ESV). This verse reveals the essence of the mystery: the inclusion of the Gentiles as equal participants in the covenant promises of God, which were previously thought to be exclusive to the Jews. This revelation is not just significant, but revolutionary in the context of first-century Judaism, where the division between Jew and Gentile was deeply entrenched.
Isaiah 49:5-6: The Prophetic Foundation of the Mystery
The concept of the inclusion of the Gentiles is not unique to Paul but has its roots in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. Isaiah 49:5-6 is particularly significant in this regard. The passage reads, "And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says: 'It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth'" (Isaiah 49:5-6, ESV).
In this passage, the servant of the Lord is not only tasked with restoring Israel but also with being a light to the nations, indicating that God's salvific plan extends beyond the boundaries of Israel to include all peoples. This prophecy lays the groundwork for the New Testament revelation of the mystery, as articulated by Paul. The inclusion of the Gentiles is not an afterthought or a plan B in God's redemptive history; rather, it is a fulfillment of what was foretold by the prophets. This fulfillment in Christ reassures us of the reliability and trustworthiness of God's plan, instilling confidence in our faith.
Isaiah's prophecy highlights two key elements: Israel's restoration and the Gentiles' inclusion. These two elements are intertwined in God's redemptive plan, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The servant's mission to "bring Jacob back to him" and to be "a light for the nations" is realized in Christ, who is the true servant of the Lord and the light of the world (John 8:12).
The Revelation of the Mystery in Christ
The revelation of the mystery in the New Testament is inseparable from the person of Christ. Paul repeatedly emphasizes that the mystery has been revealed "in Christ" and "through the Gospel" (Ephesians 3:6, ESV). This revelation indicates that the mystery is not merely a doctrinal concept but is embodied in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Ephesians 2:14-16, Paul explains how Christ has accomplished this revelation: "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility" (Ephesians 2:14-16, ESV). Here, Paul describes how the division between Jew and Gentile has been abolished through the cross of Christ. The "dividing wall of hostility" has been torn down, and in its place, Christ has created "one new man," uniting both Jew and Gentile in one body.
This unification is the heart of the mystery. The mystery is about including the Gentiles and creating a new humanity in Christ. This new humanity transcends ethnic, cultural, and social divisions and is characterized by unity in Christ. The Church, as the body of Christ, is the visible manifestation of this mystery. It's a unity that connects us all, making us part of a larger whole and reinforcing our sense of belonging.
The Implications of the Mystery for the Church
The revelation of the mystery has profound implications for the Church. As the body of Christ, the Church is not just a passive recipient of this mystery, but an active participant in living out its reality in communal life. It involves embracing the unity that Christ has achieved and breaking down any barriers that might divide believers.
In Ephesians 4:1-6, Paul exhorts the Church to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3, ESV). He writes, "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6, ESV). The Church's unity is not something believers create; it is a reality that the Spirit has already established. However, believers are called to maintain and live out this unity in their relationships with one another.
This unity is not uniformity. The Church is a diverse body comprising people from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. Yet, this diversity is not a cause for division but a reflection of the richness of God's grace. In Ephesians 3:10, Paul writes, "so that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 3:10, ESV). The word translated as "manifold" in this verse can also be understood as "multifaceted" or "diverse." The Church, in its diversity, displays the multifaceted wisdom of God to the world.
The Role of the Church in Proclaiming the Mystery
The Church's role is to live out the mystery and proclaim it to the world. In Ephesians 3:8-9, Paul writes, "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things" (Ephesians 3:8-9, ESV). Paul understood his apostolic mission as one of making known the mystery of Christ to both Jews and Gentiles.
The Church today continues this mission. The proclamation of the mystery involves declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the good news of reconciliation and unity in Christ. This proclamation is not limited to words but is also demonstrated in the Church's communal life. The way the Church embodies the unity of the mystery in its life together serves as a powerful testimony to the world.
The Eschatological Fulfillment of the Mystery
While the mystery has been revealed and is being realized in the life of the Church, its ultimate fulfillment is eschatological. In Ephesians 1:9-10, Paul speaks of God's plan "to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth" (Ephesians 1:10, ESV). This eschatological vision points to the consummation of God's redemptive plan when Christ will return and bring all things into perfect unity under his lordship.
The Church lives in the tension between the "already" and the "not yet." The mystery has been revealed, and the Church is already experiencing its reality, but its full realization awaits the return of Christ. This eschatological hope gives the Church its mission and purpose in the present. The Church is called to be a foretaste of the coming kingdom, where the mystery will be fully realized, and all things will be united in Christ.
Conclusion
The mystery that Paul speaks of in Ephesians 3:6 is a profound and glorious truth revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. This mystery, which was hidden for ages, is the inclusion of the Gentiles as equal participants in the covenant promises of God. Rooted in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah 49:5-6, this mystery finds its fulfillment in Christ, who has created one new humanity through his death and resurrection.
The revelation of this mystery has profound implications for the Church. The Church is called to embody the unity of this mystery in its communal life and to proclaim it to the world. As the body of Christ, the Church is a visible manifestation of the mystery, displaying the manifold wisdom of God in its diversity and unity.
Moreover, the mystery has an eschatological dimension. While it is already being realized in the life of the Church, its ultimate fulfillment awaits the return of Christ, when all things will be united in him. Until then, the Church lives in the hope of this coming reality, striving to be a faithful witness to the mystery that has been revealed.
So, the mystery of Christ is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality for the Church. It is a mystery that calls for unity, mission, and hope, as the Church awaits the day when God's redemptive plan will be fully consummated in Christ. This is the mystery Paul proclaimed, and the Church continues to proclaim: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27, ESV).
No comments:
Post a Comment