9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
Verses nine through 12 restate the ideas of verses two through seven, but with a change of focus.
9 and to make all see
“Make all see” should be translated “bring to light.” Paul’s mission was to communicate in a clear way what the church is all about. His communication was to “all” and not merely the Gentiles. He wanted to show the church for what it is. The church possesses the untraceable riches of Christ.
what is the fellowship [some manuscripts—dispensation] of the mystery,
Both Jew and Gentile would fellowship in the church, which is the mystery hidden in the Old Testament.
Different manuscripts have different Greek words for “fellowship.” Some texts translate the word for “fellowship” dispensation, administration, stewardship, plan. Paul’s call was to teach about the mystery of the church age.
which from the beginning of the ages
“Ages” are vast succession periods of time. Throughout ages past God kept the idea of the church hidden in His counsels. He did not reveal the idea of the church until the New Testament period (Co 1:26).
A dispensation is a distinct way of life in a particular period of time. It is a way that God administers how His people live. Under Israel, the way of life He provided was through a national entity. Under the church, the way of life operates under the principle of grace through an organism called the body of Christ.
has been hidden in God
God hid in His counsels the “fellowship of the mystery” in past successions of time. No one knew about His plan for the church until the New Testament.
who created all things through Jesus Christ;
God the Father created the universe through the intermediate agency of Jesus Christ (Jn 1:3). The Father was the primary agent, but He used Christ to do it as well. He has the right to reveal what He wants, when He wants it, within His decree to create the world.
PRINCIPLE:
The way of life in the church operates under the principle of grace.
APPLICATION:
Believers today live in the dispensation of grace, which is the mystery of the church. God’s schema was to reveal that the church is at the center of His own good timing and many-sided wisdom.
God provides grace through Jesus Christ. God gave the law through Moses, but grace came through Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17,18). The world does not recognize the stature of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 1:10-12).
