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The fact that a new creation is brought in here, precludes the idea that the Gentile,
who was once a stranger to the covenants of promise, is now brought into relationship
with these self-same covenants--that would deny the essential meaning of "create" and
"new". The Gentile is taught to realize the utter undone condition of his natural state, in
order that he may the better realize the transcendent glory that has made him nearer than
any member of the commonwealth of Israel could ever be. With this as a background we
turn to Eph. 3: 6, where the revelation of the mystery is the theme.
The essential feature of the relationship here revealed is that of absolute equality. This
is expressed in verse 6 by a threefold use of the preposition sun, "together with". Quite a
number of Greek words are translated "with" in our versions, and it is necessary to
differentiate them:--
Meta indicates "proximity", like a row of houses.
Para means "beside", as two parallel lines or as in the construction of a parable.
Pros really means "towards", and indicates a unity of intention as when one says, "I am
with you in that undertaking".
Sun means "union", "fellowship" and "oneness", more intimate than is indicated by
any other Greek preposition.
In order to express the vital oneness that is inherent in the preposition sun, we will
give it here the somewhat expanded rendering: "in vital oneness together."
Casting their shadow over the Gentile in Eph. 2: 11, 12 are the two dark expressions,
"in the flesh" and "in the world", while illuminating with their glory the blessings of the
mystery are the two expressions of Eph. 3: 5, 6, "in Spirit" and "in Christ":--
"IN SPIRIT
The Gentiles are to be
Heirs in vital oneness together and a
Body in vital oneness together, and
Partakers in vital oneness together
Of the promise
IN CHRIST" (Eph. 3: 5, 6).
The item that is most intimately associated with the promise is the third, and that
promise is not only "in Christ" but "through the gospel" of which Paul was made a
minister.
Coming now to the first occurrence of the promise in Ephesians we read:--
"In whom ye also upon hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in
whom also upon believing, ye were sealed with that holy promissory Spirit, which is the
earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the
praise of His glory" (Eph. 1: 13, 14).
Here, the "word of truth", "the gospel", "hearing" and "believing" are most
prominent. We translate "that holy promissory Spirit" because of the words that follow,
"which is the earnest" pledge, or, as the O.T. translates it, "surety". It is not so much that