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comparison. However much we may stress the greater knowledge of the apostles and
prophets, such comparison necessitates that the sons of men in other generations did have
a knowledge of the same truth. If however we read on in the chapter we shall find that
the apostle appears to change his tone. Instead of sharing the revelation with other
apostles and prophets, he emphasizes his own peculiar stewardship. Instead of instituting
a comparison with former generations, he stands alone and incomparable:--
"To me, the less than least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach the
unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles, and to enlighten all as to the
dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from the ages in God" (Eph. 3: 8,9).
The epistle to the Colossians should always be considered when any difficulty is
found in Ephesians. It always amplifies, illustrates or illuminates. The distinctive
character of Paul's ministry of the mystery is the subject of Col. 1: 23-27. There the
apostle speaks of himself as a minister:--
"according to the dispensation of God which is given to me to you, to complete the Word
of God, even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and generation, but is now made
manifest to His saints."
Let us take this passage back with us to Eph. 3: First of all we should know that
Eph. 3: 5 is incorrectly translated in the A.V. Instead of reading "in other ages", it
should read "in other generations". The A.V. has so translated the word in Col. 1: 26.
We are now able to make a more positive statement. The mystery spoken of in
Eph. 3: 5 WAS made known in some measure in other generations. The mystery of
Col. 1: 26 was NOT made known either in other generations or ages. This fact helps us
to see more clearly than ever that there are two subjects, both mysteries, with which the
apostle deals in Eph. 3: 2-7. The one, revealed in fuller measure to apostles and
prophets than it had been in the past, is the Mystery of a CHRIST. The other, never made
known in any generation or age, and revealed only to the apostle Paul, to whom the trust
was committed to enlighten all as to its teaching, is called simply the MYSTERY, and
pertains to the members of the Body of Christ. The mystery of Christ speaks of the
Head. The mystery exclusively revealed to Paul speaks of the members.
We can now the better appreciate the opening up of the central members of the
structure C | 3, C | 8, and D | 4-7:--
C | 3. The mystery made known TO PAUL.--"unto me."
D | 4-7. | a | 4. The Mystery of CHRIST.
b | 5. Apostles and Prophets (plural).
a | 6. The Threefold Fellowship.--"The Mystery" (verse 3).
b | 7. Paul (singular).
C | 8. Unsearchable riches made known BY PAUL.--"unto me."
It will be seen by the above arrangement that verse 8 reads on from verse 3, verses 4-7
being in parenthesis:--
"How that by revelation He made known UNTO ME the mystery, UNTO ME, the less
than the least of all saints is this grace given" (verses 3 and 8).