3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
Verse three sets forth the revelation of the new dispensation or economy of the church.
3 how that by revelation
Previously, the Ephesians learned how God gave Paul the revelation of the church. The idea of the church was so revolutionary that God had to give that doctrine to Paul by “revelation.” God directly revealed the idea of the church to Paul, who did not learn about the mystery from any human means or discover it by his personal research.
He made known to me
God uniquely revealed to Paul the idea of the church. The idea of the church was unknown in the Old Testament.
the mystery
A “mystery” is a truth not hitherto revealed and has nothing to do with being spooky or mysterious. The doctrine of the church was unknown until God revealed it in the dispensation of grace. God made it discoverable to Paul by revelation.
(as I have briefly written already,
Paul wrote briefly about the new idea of the church in 2:11-22.
PRINCIPLE:
The concept of the church is a New Testament idea.
APPLICATION:
There was no church during Old Testament times. God dealt with a different people under different stewardship in the dispensation of Israel. Israel was a national entity with national laws. God revealed to Paul the doctrine of the church. It was a truth not known in the Old Testament. The church was a brand-new stewardship as the body of Christ.
