Proper 10 (CL)

Ephesians 3:1-13

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ⁴ When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶ 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.

⁷ Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸ 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, ⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, ¹⁰ so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

What does it mean when he says, “he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord?” Does this mean that Jesus Christ has made something unknown previous to his coming? Does this mean he has changed something? Or as I have generally thought, God has fulfilled and made known something that was always known.

St Paul talks about his ability to make known the mystery of Christ. Jesus Christ was not known by previous generations. They knew about the Love of God. They knew about the mercy of God. They knew about the Law of God. But now God has revealed a mystery concerning even the Gentiles.

St Paul writes to Gentiles. He proclaims to them that Christ came into the World as a gift. Christ died for their eternal life. Christ came to fulfill their inheritance. God has given to Gentiles the mystery of Jesus Christ. This free gift was not realized by or in other generations. But now it is for certain that Christ died for your sins.