The word “mystery” occurs 27 times in the Bible, and it refers to a secret kept by God, to be revealed in His time. In Ephesians 3:1-6, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians about a certain “mystery” (Eph 3:3).

The focus of the “mystery” is on the Gentiles. In the bible, Gentiles refer to any nation that is not Israel. Israel was founded by God and everything in Israel was ordained by God. On the other hand, Gentiles are the enemies of God, they are rooted in idolatry. The Apostle Paul brought the Gospel to the Gentiles, and he was imprisoned because of this ministry.

The revealer of the “mystery” was God. The Apostle Paul did not hold the key to the secret, and did not understand the truth till Christ saved him on the road to Damascus. The church in Ephesus consisted of Gentiles and Jews and he had to teach them God's plan for the Gentiles. The dispensation of the grace of God refers to the salvation of Gentiles by God's grace. Gentiles can be saved by Christ, although the Jews were God’s chosen ones. In the land of promise, Gentiles had to keep the Jewish customs if they wanted to be Jewish proselytes. But in the Church witness, Paul taught that Gentile Christians need not keep the Jewish customs. He taught what Christ had revealed to him. Today, we still teach what God has revealed to us in God’s Word.

- Gentiles are fellow heirs of salvation with the Jews.
- Gentile believers and Jewish believers are one body in Christ.
- Gentile believers are partakers of the promises of God together with Jewish believers.

All the promises of God are now applicable to Gentile believers too. The “par” in “partakers” (Eph 3:6) means equal. Gentile believers are now “equal-takers” of God’s promises in Christ.

Paul was imprisoned for teaching these truths. He shared this “mystery” with his persecutors. This “mystery” is also revealed to us today. Be prepared to share it with your loved ones and friends. A vaccine can save the body, not the soul. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the vaccine for sin and death.