The corresponding member in Eph. 3:, speaks of `the dispensation (R.V.) of the

mystery'. In the former passage this Mystery is said to have been made known to Paul by

revelation, and in the latter passage we read of his desire `to enlighten all' (tisai pantas)

as to what is the dispensation of the Mystery. The central member verses 4-8 is occupied

with TWO MYSTERIES, not one. There is the Mystery of Christ, shared by the Apostles

and prophets of the N.T. times, with those who were taught of God in earliest days, and

there is the Mystery itself, which Paul shared with no man.

The Mystery of Christ has been unfolded in the Scriptures since the primal promise of

Gen. 3: 15 was made to our first parents, the Mystery of the present dispensation is

called, in the balancing member `unsearchable', no trace of these riches being found in

earliest writings because `hid in God'. Let us repeat, while we have to learn of both the

fact and of the character of this new dispensation, those to whom Paul wrote had `heard'

of it throughout the two whole years in which he was permitted to receive visitors from

all the churches under his care, and they took back the glad message. He had explained

and expounded it for at least a year before the epistle we are now studying was written.

While this may call for exceeding patience and prayerful vigilance while we follow out

all the clues that are here imbedded in this epistle, let us remember that no such

ambiguity existed at the beginning, the hope of these glad tidings had been proclaimed to

every creature under heaven, according to Col. 1: 23. This fact is a support to us and an

encouragement to continue in our search, being assured that what was so openly

proclaimed at the beginning, will not be withheld from any true member even at the end

of the days.

The expansion and explanation of the meaning of the words "The dispensation of the

grace of God which is given to me to you-ward" is found in the next verse, and

introduced, as it is, by the connective `how'.

The word translated `how' is the Greek hoti used epexegetically, an epexegesis being

a full or detailed account or explanation of something which has gone before, and makes

the sentence dependent upon the precious verse `If ye have heard' and explains the

peculiar character of the dispensation' given. The peculiarity of the dispensation is

further established by the mode of its endowment "How that BY REVELATION He

made known". A superficial criticism may object that this `explanation' does not say a

dispensation was entrusted, but that something was `revealed', and to this we must make

an answer.  The word translated `revelation' is apokalupsis and generally supposes

something hitherto hidden or veiled, as in Eph. 3: 5. The word generally opposes the