Monday, February 23, 2026
The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him. So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory. Ephesians 3:3-13
A Great Mystery Revealed
This week in the series Pastor Jim is leading us through called We Are The Church – A Study In Ephesians, Paul reveals an ancient Great Mystery that will change the world. In this series we are learning what church is, our part as Christians in the church and as the church in the world. Our key truth is, The church is not a destination, but a base of operation. Church is not where we are to quietly live out our days as a believer, but instead it is a launchpad where we are equipped, encouraged, supported, loved, taught, and sent out to do the work God has called us to do as his church – to go out and spread the Gospel far and wide. That great mystery is Jesus Christ and the way it will change the world – through us – the church as we take that great mystery to the world.
What is the mystery of God revealed to the world in and through the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Paul speaks about a great mystery that was revealed to him – a mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. This mystery had been hidden for ages but had been revealed to Paul and now he was providing insight to the Jewish and Gentile believers in the church in Ephesus. The Jews were considered God’s chosen people of covenant, but this great mystery revealed that God’s mercy, grace, and salvation are available to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike, through Jesus Christ.
This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.
Paul is humbled by the revelation and the privilege to share this revelation with the Gentiles. In fact, he is in prison as he is writing this letter to them – imprisoned because he was sharing the gospel with the Gentiles. He had a special message to share with them, a message they never thought would be for them – the incalculable riches of Christ were for them. Charles Spurgeon says of these incalculable riches, “I am bold to tell you that my Master’s riches of grace are so unsearchable, that he delights to forgive and forget enormous sin; the bigger the sin the more glory to his grace. If you are over head and ears in debt, he is rich enough to discharge your liabilities. If you are at the very gates of hell, he is able to pluck you from the jaws of destruction.” (Spurgeon) These incalculable and unsearchable riches are far beyond our comprehension
These incalculable riches of Christ describe something that cannot be fully comprehended or measured. They are unsearchable and infinite. There are no limits to the riches of Christ for all who believe, including redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the guarantee of our inheritance. The Gospel of Jesus has been made available to all who believe, and we (believers) need to get the message of the Gospel to the world. The mystery of God is the fulfillment of his plan of salvation for the world through Jesus.
Our job as believers is to live out the Gospel to the world around us. We say more with our words and actions than we ever can with our mouths, yet we also should “proclaim” it with our voice as well. The great mystery revealed in Jesus is revealed to the rest of the world through us as we walk in the incalculable riches he gives.
