BY BRIAN KELSON
of BibleUnderstanding.com
To read this directly on Brian's site, please go here and scroll down to it:
bibleunderstanding.com/pastissues.htm
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians way
back in the Acts period, he implored them thus;
To read this directly on Brian's site, please go here and scroll down to it:
bibleunderstanding.com/pastissues.htm
Let a man
so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries
of God. 1Cor. 4:1
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and
understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so
that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1Cor. 13:2
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 1Cor. 4:16
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ. 1Cor. 11:1
Paul's desire for the
faithful at Corinth was that they considered him a minister of Christ and a
steward of the mysteries of God, yet despite the fact he understood all
mysteries, without charity (loving benevolence), he was nothing. He wanted them
to show the same qualities, to know the mysteries of God but to show love at
the same time, cp 1Cor. 8:1.
As students of the Word of Truth, we should not dismiss the mysteries of God or Bible study in general because some claim love is the more important attribute to seek, this is a very dangerous doctrine indeed. How do we know of God's love apart from studying His Word? Thus love is not an excuse to leave Bible study in the hands of others, see 2Tim. 2:15.
To study the
mysteries of God, we first recognize that there are a number and, as always, to
understand them we must apply the Bible study principal which is to test things
differing, Php. 1:9-10. Not all mysteries are the same and here are some found
in the New Testament. Stuart Allen's audio number A56 on this link is helpful; bibleunderstanding.com/allen1.htm
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they
might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Luke 8:10, Mat 13:10-11
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be
ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that
blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be
come in. Rom. 11:25
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even
the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 1Cor. 2:7
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:
only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2Th 2:7
And without controversy great is the mystery of
godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of
angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into
glory. 1Tim. 3:16
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest
in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the
angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are
the seven churches. Rev. 1:20
And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery,
Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth. Rev. 17:5
The Bible word,
'mystery,' does not mean something inexplicable or incomprehensible, rather
something that is or was, a secret. Once a mystery is explained to us, then it
no longer remains secret but is understandable and informative.
In this new series we
will examine two mysteries which some claim are the same, but when we see the
differences then our understanding of the present dispensation of grace and our
calling which is found within it shall be much clearer. We shall compare the
mystery of Romans. 16 with that of Ephesians and Colossians. Please read
Col. 1:24-28, Eph. 3:1-10 and Roms. 15:25-26.
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How many opinions have we heard
regarding any subject found in the Word of God? Probably too many.
Some might ask if
it is really possible to come to a definitive conclusion on anything since the
static of human opinion is so loud it drowns many. Yet the Lord encourages us
to be diligent and study His Word and when we allow the Word to explain the
Word we finally arrive at God's opinion which is precisely where we should be
despite the fact this might not be popular.
One method of
finding clarity on any passage is to consider it in its context. As Miles
Coverdale said;
“It shall greatly help ye to understand the Scriptures if
thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom and to whom, with
what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances,
considering what goeth before and what followeth after. ”
In other words,
Miles was reminding us that every passage must be understood in its context. So
before we can understand the mysteries of Romans 16 and Ephesians and
Colossians, we need to see each of them in their immediate, near and remote
contexts before we decide if they are the same, or even related. Thus we cannot
define the mystery of Romans 16 by opening Ephesians and Colossians and
ignoring all of Romans. Here is the mystery of Roms.16:
The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Rom 16:24-27
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Rom 16:24-27
This simple
structure of Paul's letter to the Romans shows how the mystery of chapter 16
fits comfortably within the scope of the letter;
A. 1:1-17. Gospel of
God (promised afore, prophets in Holy Scriptures)
concerning Jesus Christ, Son of David & God
apostleship, grace, obedience to the faith, all nations
called and faithful in Rome-Paul's desire to visit
spiritual gift, goal "established", ready to preach gospel
gospel of Christ, power, Jew first, just live by faith
B. 1:18-3:20 Jews & Gentiles all guilty before God,
as it is written, Ps.51:4
C. 3:21-31 Glory of God, all short of it, as it is written
D. 4:1-25 what says the Scripture?
Abraham's body "now dead", flesh v just'n by faith
E. 5:1-11 Reconciliation of remnant, peace through Christ
F. 5:12-21 CONDEMNATION in Adam, law of sin & death
G. 6-7 Questions and repudiations
F. 8 NO CONDEMNATION in Christ, law of Spirit of life
E. 9-11 Reconciliation of "all Israel", Deliverer out of Zion, NC
D. 12-13 Present your bodies a living sacrifice,
for it is written, vengeance, put on Christ, no flesh
C. 14-15:7 The Glory of God received to, things written aforetime
B. 15:8-16:24 Jews & Gentiles all acceptable before God, hope,
promises to fathers, confirmed, as it is written, Is.11
A.16:25-27 to Him, power to "stablish", my gospel
preaching of Jesus Christ according to revelation of mystery
kept secret (silenced) since the world began
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets
commandment of everlasting God
all nations for obedience of faith
concerning Jesus Christ, Son of David & God
apostleship, grace, obedience to the faith, all nations
called and faithful in Rome-Paul's desire to visit
spiritual gift, goal "established", ready to preach gospel
gospel of Christ, power, Jew first, just live by faith
B. 1:18-3:20 Jews & Gentiles all guilty before God,
as it is written, Ps.51:4
C. 3:21-31 Glory of God, all short of it, as it is written
D. 4:1-25 what says the Scripture?
Abraham's body "now dead", flesh v just'n by faith
E. 5:1-11 Reconciliation of remnant, peace through Christ
F. 5:12-21 CONDEMNATION in Adam, law of sin & death
G. 6-7 Questions and repudiations
F. 8 NO CONDEMNATION in Christ, law of Spirit of life
E. 9-11 Reconciliation of "all Israel", Deliverer out of Zion, NC
D. 12-13 Present your bodies a living sacrifice,
for it is written, vengeance, put on Christ, no flesh
C. 14-15:7 The Glory of God received to, things written aforetime
B. 15:8-16:24 Jews & Gentiles all acceptable before God, hope,
promises to fathers, confirmed, as it is written, Is.11
A.16:25-27 to Him, power to "stablish", my gospel
preaching of Jesus Christ according to revelation of mystery
kept secret (silenced) since the world began
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets
commandment of everlasting God
all nations for obedience of faith
Notice the
parallel features in the parts A and A? But most importantly, the mystery of
Roms.16 cannot be separated from the rest of the epistle in which 70 plus OT
quotes can be found and 14 times Paul writes "as it is written" or
similar. The Roms.16 mystery is never once said to be "hid in God"
with riches of Christ unsearchable, Eph.3:8-9, or "hidden (away) from ages
and generations", Col.1:26, which are the contexts of the Mystery of
Ephesians and Colossians.
The mystery of
Romans chapter 16 is the preaching of Jesus Christ, not the revelation of the
present dispensation in which we live. The mystery of Roms.16 is in a context
of the Old Testament writings. These writings also make plain this mystery
which previously had been kept secret or silent since the world began. The
mystery of Ephesians goes back before the foundation of the world, 1:4. Testing
things differing in Paul is rightly dividing the Word of Truth and what joy is
ours when we see these different things.
The structure of Romans is a brief outline of the themes in that epistle. It shows how the entire letter is held together and the mystery of chapter 16 is understood in these relationships. To isolate the mystery of Roms.16 from the rest of the letter is not allowing the context to tell us about that mystery. Romans explains the mystery found within its pages.
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The structure of Romans is a brief outline of the themes in that epistle. It shows how the entire letter is held together and the mystery of chapter 16 is understood in these relationships. To isolate the mystery of Roms.16 from the rest of the letter is not allowing the context to tell us about that mystery. Romans explains the mystery found within its pages.
Let us compare
the opening and closing sections and see the many
connections.
OpeningPaul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 1:1-7
OpeningPaul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 1:1-7
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you
some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; Rom 1:11
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the
gospel to you that are at Rome also. Rom
1:15
Close
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Rom 16:24-27
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Rom 16:24-27
Paul opens declaring
he was separated unto the gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ and
sends grace. This is balanced at the close where Paul sends grace and writes "my
gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ". In other words, the "preaching of
Jesus Christ" at the close is balanced by "concerning His Son Jesus Christ" at
the opening. The theme of Romans is the preaching of Christ Jesus and all that
great preaching included during Acts when Romans was
written.
Thus the mystery kept
secret but now made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets at the close
is balanced by the gospel of God which He promised before by His prophets in the
holy Scriptures in the opening. Both are concerning Christ Jesus the Lord, not
any change in dispensation.
Paul's apostleship in
the opening section is to bring about obedience of the faith among all nations,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ and the mystery at the close had the same goal
in view, that is, made known to all nations for the obedience of
faith.
In
the opening portion, Paul longed to see them so he could impart, give over to
them, some spiritual gift. The preaching of Jesus Christ when Romans was written
included the accompanying supernatural gifts, and we must not miss this again in
chapter 15:18-19 thus;
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of
the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I
have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Rom
15:18-19
Here we have
supernatural gifts, gentiles obedient and the gospel of Christ, the very same
elements in the opening and closing sections. The mystery of chapter 16 is
inseparable from these. The but now of Roms.16:24-27, is when Paul was
empowered to preach the gospel of Christ, promised before in the holy Scriptures
for the obedience of faith among all nations. Which gospel he wanted to preach
to those saints, already saved, at Rome. The but now of Roms.16 is not
the but now of Eph.2 which we will be proved during the course of these
lessons.
Finally, we
read the wonderful words of Paul regarding the gospel of Christ, which gospel he
wanted to preach to the saved saints at Rome remember;So, as much as in me
is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein
is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The
just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against
all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness; Rom 1:15-18
We must not miss
Paul's use of the word "revealed" and gospel in this opening section and the
great balancing word "revelation" and mystery found at the close. Both opening
and closing sections are for the same obedience of faith and we cannot separate
the gospel concerning Christ Jesus at the beginning and the preaching of Christ
Jesus according to the mystery at the close; they are related dispensationally.
The
simple structure of Romans provided previously, is a brief outline of the
themes in that epistle. The mystery of chapter 16 must be understood according
to these themes. To isolate the mystery of Roms.16 from the rest of the letter
is not allowing Romans to explain the mystery of Romans. Here are the opening
and closing sections that enable us to see some significant recurring words or
phrases which help in understanding this mystery.
A. Roms.1:1-17 Paul separated to Gospel (promised
afore, prophets, Holy Scriptures)
concerning Jesus Christ, Son of David & God, power,
apostleship, grace, obedience to the faith, all nations,
called and faithful in Rome-Paul's desire to visit,
spiritual gift, goal established, ready to preach gospel,
gospel of Christ, power, Jew first, just live by faith,
concerning Jesus Christ, Son of David & God, power,
apostleship, grace, obedience to the faith, all nations,
called and faithful in Rome-Paul's desire to visit,
spiritual gift, goal established, ready to preach gospel,
gospel of Christ, power, Jew first, just live by faith,
A. Roms.16:25-27 to Him, power to stablish, my
gospel,
preaching of Jesus Christ acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept secret (silenced) since the world began,
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets,
commandment of everlasting God,
all nations for obedience of faith,
preaching of Jesus Christ acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept secret (silenced) since the world began,
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets,
commandment of everlasting God,
all nations for obedience of faith,
We
read of "Paul separated to the gospel" harmonized with "my
gospel" in the closing section. Then there is the "gospel promised
beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures" correlating to the
"Scriptures of the prophets".
"Concerning His Son Christ Jesus" is balanced by the "preaching of Jesus Christ". "Establish" and "stablish", which are identical words in the original language, stand out as well, and one incredibly helpful structure balance is the repeat of the phrase, "obedience to and of the faith".
"Concerning His Son Christ Jesus" is balanced by the "preaching of Jesus Christ". "Establish" and "stablish", which are identical words in the original language, stand out as well, and one incredibly helpful structure balance is the repeat of the phrase, "obedience to and of the faith".
We
begin with the Prophets, namely the Old Testament ones. These were instrumental
in giving forth the Gospel of God which concerned His Son in the opening and
who are found in the closing section as well. These prophets made manifest the
mystery of Romans 16 which had been kept secret since the world began;
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,..... Rom 16:25-26
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,..... Rom 16:25-26
This
mystery was made plain by the prophets, plural, while that of Ephesians was not
made plain by them, it was revealed to Paul alone having been hid in God and
hidden away from ages and generations, concerning unsearchable riches,
Eph.3:8-9, Col.1:26. How can the Romans mystery, if the scriptures of the
prophets made it plain?, be the same as that of Ephesians previously hidden in
God?
Another
difference is that the mystery of Roms.16 had been kept secret since the world
began, while the mystery of Ephesians is tied way back before the foundation of
the world, see Eph.3 and 1:4.
So
when Paul writes that the mystery of Romans 16 had been kept secret since the
world began we have a different time relationship and does the word secret mean
that the mystery had been hidden in God just like the mystery of Ephesians and
Colossians? No, it does not. Paul does not use the word hid or hidden in Romans
16 when he writes the mystery kept secret. Does this secret mean that it was
hidden?
The
KJV, which is popular still, uses secret in Matt.13:35-36 where the Lord spoke
of things totally unrelated to the dispensation of the grace of God. The things
the Lord spoke about had not been hidden in God only kept secret from the
foundation of the world. Thus in Matthew we read;
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Mat 13:34-35 (Ps.78:1-7)
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Mat 13:34-35 (Ps.78:1-7)
The
Lord told his disciples they knew the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but he
spoke in parables to the crowds for they had not been given knowledge of them,
see Matt.13:10-17. Thus the parables hid, but also revealed, things which had
been kept secret from the foundation of the world but which related to the
earthly kingdom of, that is originating out of, heaven.
These
secrets have nothing to do with us today, nor where these things hidden in God
for the Lord described the disciples' eyes as being blessed because many
prophets and righteous men desired to see and hear the things of the kingdom.
The prophets wrote of things which had been kept secret, but now in Matthew,
the disciples understood them. Peter writes along the same lines;
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 1Pe 1:10-12
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 1Pe 1:10-12
Thus
some earthly kingdom things kept secret from or since the foundation of the
world, were not outside the prophetic writings and Paul writes that the mystery
of Roms. was made plain by the scriptures of the prophets.
We
are further helped when we find that the original word translated secret is
defined as "kept silent". Thus we read in some translations as
follows;
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is able to stablish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, RV
Rom 16:25 Now to him that is able to stablish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, RV
Rom 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according
to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of
the mystery, having been unvoiced during eternal times; MKJV
Rom 16:25 Now to the one who is able to strengthen you by my
gospel and the message that I preach about Jesus Christ, by revealing the
secret that was kept in silence in long ages past ISV
The
mystery of Romans 16 was something that had been silenced in the Scriptures and
to which the OT Scriptures witnessed.
We have found that there are certain things that were kept silent in the Scriptures; the full meanings of which were not disclosed. We might consider our Lord's vicarious offering which was pictured in type and shadow but which things were not fully explained for had the enemy known, then the redemptive purposes of God would have been jeopardized. Paul writes along these lines;Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1Co 2:6-10
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We have found that there are certain things that were kept silent in the Scriptures; the full meanings of which were not disclosed. We might consider our Lord's vicarious offering which was pictured in type and shadow but which things were not fully explained for had the enemy known, then the redemptive purposes of God would have been jeopardized. Paul writes along these lines;Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1Co 2:6-10
The things hidden here were about the crucifixion of the Lord of glory;
who Jesus was, for had these things been known clearly, then He would not have
been crucified. The wisdom hidden in this context is then linked to the
Scriptures, see Is.64, which is what Paul quotes in 1Cor.2:9. It is wrong
division to drag the hidden things of Ephesians into this context when our
Apostle refers to the OT Scriptures of the
prophets.
In
the Gospels, the Lord hid things from his disciples, see Lk.18:31-34. Thus we
are not to suppose that all things hidden are about the dispensation of the
grace of God. Here is a case where things clearly prophesied were rejected and
the rejection brought about a closing of the eyes; a hiding of the things
eagerly expected. Notice the but now;Saying, If thou
hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto
thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. Luk 19:42
Certain revealed truths can be hidden and other truths hidden within the
pages of Scripture are later unfolded, but this does not mean that all things
hidden and revealed are about our calling
today.
Returning
to the closing section of Romans we remind ourselves of the
context;A.
Roms.16:25-27 to Him, power to stablish, my gospel,
preaching of Jesus Christ acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept secret (silenced) since the world began,
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets,
commandment of everlasting God,
all nations for obedience of faith,
preaching of Jesus Christ acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept secret (silenced) since the world began,
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets,
commandment of everlasting God,
all nations for obedience of faith,
The mystery of Roms.16 concerns the preaching of Jesus Christ and made
plain by the Scriptures of the prophets. The mystery of Romans 16 has already
been addressed by Paul in the letter so we shall canvas the distribution of the
Old Testament used by Paul in this wonderful epistle to find where this Mystery
has been kept secret or silenced. We shall follow the structure of Romans found
near 109 on
bibleunderstanding.com/
In the opening portion of Romans marked A, chapter 1:1-17 we find the
following; Roms.1:2 reference to the holy Scriptures. Roms.1:3 seed of King
David. Roms.1:11 supernatural gifts, the subject of prophesy. Roms.1:17 is
Hab.2:4.
In the second section marked B, Roms.1:18-3:20 we find a total of 12 OT
references thus, Roms.2:6 is Ps.62:12, Roms.2:24 is Is.52:5 (see Ez.36:223),
Roms.3:4 is Ps.51:4, Roms.3:10-18 includes, Ps.14, 53, 5, 140, 10, 59, 36 and
Prov.1.
In the third section C, 3:21-31 we have Deut.9:5, Is.45, 53, 54 and
Jer.23:5-6.
In the fourth section D, Roms.4:1-25 we have Gen.15, Ps.32, Gen.17 and
Gen.15 twice again.
Thus from Roms.1:1 to 4:22 we have a total of about 23 OT references not
counting all the OT verses used by Paul. This is a large number, in fact more
than twice as many used in the 6 chapters of Galatians. From chapter 8:36 through to the close of Romans there are
another 47 references to the OT. In other words, in the opening chapters there
are 23 references, in the closing chapters another 47, nearly 70 plus in
total.
Next follows something worth considering. From Roms.4:22 through to 8:35
there is not one reference to OT Scripture. In the opening 4 chapters 23
references, from chapter 8 through 16 another 47 but in chapters 5 through 8:35,
not one OT reference. Could Romans 5-8 be the very section of Romans speaking
about the mystery kept secret or silent in the Scriptures? We think so.
We have found that there are certain things that were kept silent
in the Scriptures; the full meanings of which were not disclosed. We might
consider our Lord's vicarious offering which was pictured in type and shadow but
which things were not fully explained for had the enemy known, then the
redemptive purposes of God would have been jeopardized. Paul writes along these
lines;Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the
wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But
we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden
wisdom, which God
ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this
world knew: for had they known it, they would not
have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor
ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his
Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God. 1Co 2:6-10
The things hidden here were about the crucifixion of the Lord of glory;
who Jesus was, for had these things been known clearly, then He would not have
been crucified. The wisdom hidden in this context is then linked to the
Scriptures, see Is.64, which is what Paul quotes in 1Cor.2:9. It is wrong
division to drag the hidden things of Ephesians into this context when our
Apostle refers to the OT Scriptures of the
prophets.
In
the Gospels, the Lord hid things from his disciples, see Lk.18:31-34. Thus we
are not to suppose that all things hidden are about the dispensation of the
grace of God. Here is a case where things clearly prophesied were rejected and
the rejection brought about a closing of the eyes; a hiding of the things
eagerly expected. Notice the but now;Saying, If thou
hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto
thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. Luk 19:42
Certain revealed truths can be hidden and other truths hidden within the
pages of Scripture are later unfolded, but this does not mean that all things
hidden and revealed are about our calling
today.
Returning
to the closing section of Romans we remind ourselves of the
context;A.
Roms.16:25-27 to Him, power to stablish, my gospel,
preaching of Jesus Christ acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept secret (silenced) since the world began,
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets,
commandment of everlasting God,
all nations for obedience of faith,
preaching of Jesus Christ acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept secret (silenced) since the world began,
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets,
commandment of everlasting God,
all nations for obedience of faith,
The mystery of Roms.16 concerns the preaching of Jesus Christ and made
plain by the Scriptures of the prophets. The mystery of Romans 16 has already
been addressed by Paul in the letter so we shall canvas the distribution of the
Old Testament used by Paul in this wonderful epistle to find where this Mystery
has been kept secret or silenced. We shall follow the structure of Romans found
near 109 on
bibleunderstanding.com/
In the opening portion of Romans marked A, chapter 1:1-17 we find the
following; Roms.1:2 reference to the holy Scriptures. Roms.1:3 seed of King
David. Roms.1:11 supernatural gifts, the subject of prophesy. Roms.1:17 is
Hab.2:4.
In the second section marked B, Roms.1:18-3:20 we find a total of 12 OT
references thus, Roms.2:6 is Ps.62:12, Roms.2:24 is Is.52:5 (see Ez.36:223),
Roms.3:4 is Ps.51:4, Roms.3:10-18 includes, Ps.14, 53, 5, 140, 10, 59, 36 and
Prov.1.
In the third section C, 3:21-31 we have Deut.9:5, Is.45, 53, 54 and
Jer.23:5-6.
In the fourth section D, Roms.4:1-25 we have Gen.15, Ps.32, Gen.17 and
Gen.15 twice again.
Thus from Roms.1:1 to 4:22 we have a total of about 23 OT references not
counting all the OT verses used by Paul. This is a large number, in fact more
than twice as many used in the 6 chapters of Galatians. From chapter 8:36 through to the close of Romans there are
another 47 references to the OT. In other words, in the opening chapters there
are 23 references, in the closing chapters another 47, nearly 70 plus in
total.
Next follows something worth considering. From Roms.4:22 through to 8:35
there is not one reference to OT Scripture. In the opening 4 chapters 23
references, from chapter 8 through 16 another 47 but in chapters 5 through 8:35,
not one OT reference. Could Romans 5-8 be the very section of Romans speaking
about the mystery kept secret or silent in the Scriptures? We think so.
Some
of the OT quotes in Romans are found on this link bibleunderstanding.com/
The
distribution of the Old Testament in Paul's letter to the Romans is
informative. First of all, the huge volume of the Law and prophesy confirms
Paul's words spoken many years later; And now
I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa,
I am accused of the Jews. Act 26:6-7
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient
unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at
Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do
works meet for repentance. Act 26:19-20
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue
unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things
than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should
suffer, and that he should be
the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the
people, and to the Gentiles. Act 26:22-23
Twice
in this Acts statement, Paul re-affirms it was still Jew first as it was in
Romans, but how can we escape the plain truth that Paul was saying none other
things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come? This must
include the mystery of Romans 16, which was written before this statement.
The
mystery of Romans 16 was kept secret, that is, silent in the Scriptures yet the
Scriptures contained it; it was never hidden in God as the Ephesians Mystery.
There
is no doubt that certain things of the Old Testament scriptures were made much
clearer in the writings of the New and when we consider elements of Paul's
gospel, given him by direct instruction from the Lord, we see some wonderful
examples of this. Take this feature as a case in point. When Paul wrote to the
Galatians he mentioned this:And the scripture,
foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before
the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of
faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Gal
3:8-9
The
Scripture which foresaw this is part of the original sevenfold blessing given
to Abraham when called to depart out of his country, namely Gen.12:1-3. It is
not so evident that the great truth of justification by faith through grace
upon all people is contained in that blessing but the Lord knew it was so and
revealed that truth to Paul. Paul's use of the promised seed in Gen.15:5
expounded to mean Christ and those of faith is another example of truths not so
evident originally but which are more fully expounded by revelation of God, see
Gal.3:16, 29, Roms.4:13 & 16. We thus realize that Paul spoke the truth
when he said, very late in Acts, that he was saying none other things than
those which the prophets and Moses did say should come. So in what way does the
distribution of OT quotes through Romans help us determine the mystery of
chapter 16?
From
Roms.1:1 through to 4:22 there are 23 OT references.
From Roms.4:22 through to 8:35 not one OT reference can be found.
From Roms.8:36 to 16:27 another 47 OT references.
From Roms.4:22 through to 8:35 not one OT reference can be found.
From Roms.8:36 to 16:27 another 47 OT references.
It
is difficult to accurately count the OT references as those who have attempted
to do so will know that Paul will combine snippets of prophesy. Needless to
say, the variance in those three sections is significant. But here is the
amazing thing, Roms.4:22 through to 8:35 which is void
of OT references is about an OT character, Adam.
Adam
is mentioned 18 times from Gen.2:19 through to 5:5. He is next mentioned in
Deut.32:8, Jos.3:16, 1Chron.1:1 and Job31:33. These are the only references to
Adam in the Old Testament and not one of them expounds the typology; the
foreshadowing of Messiah contained in him. No wonder Paul cannot refer to the
OT in the matter of Adam in this regard.
In
the New Testament, Luke mentions Adam in the Lord's genealogy, 3:38,
Jude identifies Enoch as the 7th from Adam, 1:14, but
Paul most of all writes about Adam, Roms.5:14, 1Cor.15:14, 22, 45, 1Tim.2:13
and 14.
To
Paul alone was given the truth that Adam was a figure of Him that was to come.
Paul alone writes that in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made
alive. It is Paul who writes that Adam was a living soul but in wonderful
contrast, the last Adam was made a quickening spirit or a life-giving Spirit.
Returning
to Roms.16:25-27 we remember that the preaching of Jesus Christ according to
the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began had a
goal in view.
A. Roms.16:25-27 to Him, power to stablish,
my
gospel,
ESTABLISH
preaching of Jesus Christ acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept secret (silenced) since the world began,
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets,
commandment of everlasting God,
all nations for obedience of faith, OBEDIENCE
preaching of Jesus Christ acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept secret (silenced) since the world began,
but now manifested and by Scriptures of prophets,
commandment of everlasting God,
all nations for obedience of faith, OBEDIENCE
That
goal was to stablish them and bring forth the obedience of the faith of all
nations and in the section void of OT references we find two great contrasts,
the disobedience of Adam and the OBEDIENCE of Christ and the resulting
consequences.
There are strict Bible study rules clearly evident in the Word of Truth
and one of the first rules is to consider every text in its context. When we
read of the mystery kept silent in Roms.16 and immediately turn to Ephesians and
Colossians for its interpretation, we have brushed aside the rules and is it any
wonder myriads of ideas surrounding this mystery abound to confuse and weaken
faith.
The mystery of Roms.16 was kept secret since the world began but there
are words and phrases around it which gives us contextual clues as to its
meaning, here they are again;
Roms.16:25-27
to Him, power to stablish (ESTABLISH), (Roms.1:11) my gospel, (Roms.1:1)
PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST (Roms.1:3) acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept SECRET (SILENCED) since the world began,
but now manifested and by SCRIPTURES OF THE PROIPHETS, (Roms.1:2)COMMANDMENTof everlasting God,
all nations for OBEDIENCE OF FAITH, (Roms.1:5)
to Him, power to stablish (ESTABLISH), (Roms.1:11) my gospel, (Roms.1:1)
PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST (Roms.1:3) acc'g to revelation of mystery,
kept SECRET (SILENCED) since the world began,
but now manifested and by SCRIPTURES OF THE PROIPHETS, (Roms.1:2)COMMANDMENTof everlasting God,
all nations for OBEDIENCE OF FAITH, (Roms.1:5)
It is imperative to note that this mystery is given in the closing
doxology, it is thus an inclusion in the letter somewhere. I have included the
links back to the same or similar words and phrases in the opening of the letter
to remind us that the doxology is not an
afterthought.
Paul would never append anything to the close of a letter, information
which held dispensational truths contrary to the very words he had just written.
There is no warrant to look forward to Ephesians, not even written at the time,
to explain the mystery of Roms.16.
The preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret
since the world began had goals in view, these were to stablish them, and bring
obedience of faith. These were the objectives at the beginning of the letter. If
Paul started with teaching which would establish them and bring obedience and
concludes with the same objectives, in what way can the mystery of chapter 16 be
something new and foreign to the entire
epistle?
Paul is not preaching to establish them or bring obedience to anything
new hinted at in one phrase at the close of the letter.
There is nothing new, dispensationally, in Romans. No dispensational
truths of Ephesians can be found in this letter. Paul has just written chapter
15 where their hope was the promises made to the fathers, not the heavenly
places of Ephesians.
Establishment and obedience of faith are keys in the structure of Romans
16:25-27. The preaching of this mystery was according to a command of God, not a
revelation of Christ Jesus and the last idea in this thread of Paul, is the
obedience of faith.
Taking our lead from the contextual clues, we will allow Romans to
explain Romans and thus are working within the Bible study
rules.
There is no doubt that certain things of the Old Testament scriptures
were made much clearer in the writings of the New, including Paul. But during
Acts, Paul was saying "none other things than those which the prophets and Moses
did say should come" (Acts 26:22), and Romans, written during Acts, is full of
OT references, except in one section. In chapters.4:22 through to 8:35, not one
OT reference can be found.
Obviously the mystery kept secret will not be explained by the OT
Scriptures and could it be that this mystery is brought forth by Paul in that
section void of the OT? We think so.
In the section void of OT references, we find two great contrasts, the
disobedience of Adam and the OBEDIENCE of Christ and the resulting consequences
are elaborated. No other NT writer brings out the relationship between the two
Adams as does Paul.
Here
are the passages that feature obedience and obedience of
faith;Rom
1:5 By
whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among
all nations, for his name:
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's
disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be
made righteous.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to
whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;
whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Rom 15:18 For I will not dare
to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the
Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
Rom 16:19 For your obedience
is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would
have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning
evil.
Rom 16:26 But now is made
manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of
the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
God is love and when He created Adam in love and provided a wonderful
environment for him, He asked one thing only of
Him;And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden
to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every
tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof
thou shalt surely die. Gen 2:15-17
No
matter what dispensation or redemptive purpose, our loving Father seeks His
children to believe Him and show that faith through obedience to His word. As
James puts this all-age-abiding truth so well;
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein,
he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall
be blessed in his deed. James 1:22-25
You see friends, disobedience reeks of rebellion and who would wish to be
found in such a condition in that Day? And so our apostle, writing to the
Romans, was very concerned that they would show this obedience of faith as found
in 1:5 and 16:26. The goal of the Mystery of Romans 16 is faithful
obedience.
In the central section of Romans; 5-8, we find this mystery previously
kept silent but now made plain and it is concerning the relationship between the
two Adams. This is an Acts period mystery given to Paul but is not The Mystery
of Ephesians and Colossians where, post Acts, Adam is not featured in relation
to our Lord but to the wife, see 1Tim.2:13-14.
In Romans, the first Adam was disobedient, the second obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross. Here are the contrasts between these two
characters and such doctrines found only in Paul.
Death
and Life.But not as the
offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one
(Adam) many be
dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man,
Jesus Christ (the last Adam), hath abounded unto many. Rom
5:15
What a legacy for the entire human race left by the first Adam.
Disobedience has such terrible consequences.
What
a blessed and joyous contrast in the obedience of Christ and the very positive
consequence resulting from it;For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they
which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in
life by one, Jesus Christ.) Rom 5:17
Praise our heavenly Father! In Adam death but in Christ eternal life and
righteousness reckoned by His grace.
Paul
writes further about the contrasts in the two Adams in 1Corinthians15, another
Acts period epistle. He writes in verse 22, "as in Adam all die, even so in
Christ all will be made alive". Not only eternal life in Christ but a glorified
body at resurrection because of His obedience. In this context Paul can turn to
at least one OT reference here;It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is
a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The
first man Adam was made a living soul (Gen.2:7); the last Adam
was made a
quickening spirit. 1Co 15:44-45
Adam became a living soul at the breath of God but Christ a life giving
spirit through whom we have eternal life and a future body of glory whether we
live in the Acts period or in the present dispensation of the grace of
God.
Adam certainly was a figure, a type of Christ who was to come, Roms.5:14.
Once Paul has established the consequences of the disobedience of the
first Adam and the joyous consequences of obedience in the last, he will then
turn to his readers and bring obedience and disobedience right home to them. It
is one thing for the Romans to know what Christ had accomplished by obedience,
but as children of God who had provided such a rich environment for them, how
would they live? Would they walk in the steps of their father Abraham who
believed but also obeyed? Or would they, like Adam show rebellion and
disobey?
Chapter
6 presses right forward with the obedience and disobedient options by asking a
rhetorical question; What
shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.
How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Rom 6:1-2
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves
servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto
death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Rom 6:16
Which
Adam will the Romans emulate? Will they show faith obedience unto life and
righteousness, or disobedience unto death?
The
Mystery of Roms.16 is the relationship between the two Adams which is used by
Paul to bring forth the obedience of faith required in his Roman readers and is
not a mystery introducing a new dispensation.
As children of our wonderful heavenly Father we are responsible for our
own personal Bible study. But we are more than children, we have the adoption,
that is, we are the heirs in the heavenly places. With such a position of glory
in Christ our Lord, we are required to be found faithful to His Word and when we
are diligent in our studies we find ourselves rejoicing and loving the Word
increasingly as others before us;
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Psa 119:140
... my heart standeth in awe of thy word. Psa 119:161
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jer 15:16
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Psa 119:140
... my heart standeth in awe of thy word. Psa 119:161
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jer 15:16
The mystery of Romans 16 is another example of the underlying
beauty of God's Word. Not only is it set in the earthly redemptive time frame
"since the world began" but as we have discovered, it is the relationship
between the first disobedient Adam and the last obedient Adam.
Adam was placed in a garden, Paradise, where he disobeyed and
where sin and death entered the world, Roms.5:12. The last Adam, by His offering
of Himself without spot to God (Hebs.9:14), reversed the evil but will also
restore people into yet a more glorious Paradise where the dominion lost by the
first will also be restored. This is the consistent dispensational hope of
Romans. Romans knows nothing of the inheritance in the above heavens of
Ephesians.
In Paul's gospel declaring introduction, the theme of the gospel
was that which had been promised before in the OT
Scriptures;Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets
in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,.....
Rom
1:1-3a
The good news concerning God's Son throughout Romans, includes
both the redemption and the future hope of those called saints during Acts. How
many expositors will rejoice in the righteous by faith through grace of chapter
3 and 4, yet fail to highlight the earthly hope of chapter 15?
Paul quotes or refers to Moses and the prophets over 70 times in
Romans which is so consistent with his claim many years later, as recorded in
Acts 26:22. Here are some of those OT occurrences in Romans followed by a
reference in the same OT context.
Romans 1:17 is Habakkuk 2:4. Here is
Hab.2:14;For the earth
shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover
the sea. Hab 2:14
Romans 2:24 is Isaiah 52:5. Here is a quote from Isaiah
52;Break forth into joy, sing
together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people,
he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
Isa
52:9 See Is.52:7 and
Roms.10:15.
Romans 3:4 is
Ps.51:4. Here is a quote from Ps.51;Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion:
build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Psa 51:18
Romans 8:36
is Ps.44:22, here is a quote from Ps.44;Thou art my King, O God: command
deliverances for Jacob. Psa 44:4
Romans 9:20
is from Is.45:9-11 (Is.29:16). Here is a snippet from Is.45;Verily thou art a God
that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. But Israel shall be saved in
the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded
world without end. For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself
that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in
vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Isa
45:15-18
Romans 10:19
is Deut.32:21. Here is a quote from Moses also found in Romans
15:10;Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the
blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be
merciful unto his land, and to his people. Deu
32:43
Romans 15:3
is a quote from Ps.69:9. Ps.69 says this;For God will save Zion, and will build
the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The
seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall
dwell therein. Psa 69:35-36
Paul quotes Isaiah over 20 times in Romans. Note the earthly
setting Is.51:3;For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her
waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the
garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and
the voice of melody. Isa 51:3
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isa 51:11
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isa 51:11
Adam who disobeyed was placed in a garden, the last Adam who
obeyed will bring redemption, righteousness and an inheritance for those called
saints during Acts in the promised land which will be like
Eden.
The Mystery of Romans 16 is in an earthly redemptive context,
has nothing to do with the dispensation of the grace of God and it is wrong
division to define it with the Mystery of Ephesians and Colossians.
We are
following a Bible study principle which is comparing spiritual with spiritual,
to determine if the mystery of Romans 16 is the mystery as featured in Ephesians
and Colossians. Thus far we have considered much which shows these two mysteries
are not the same.
The mystery
of Romans 16 fits perfectly with the structure of Romans and is defined when we
consider Romans' structural and contextual guidelines. Here are just a few;
1. The Mystery of Romans 16 was to establish the elect remnant of prophesy.
Roms.16:25, 9:23-27, 11:5-7 who were the called of Christ Jesus, 1:6.
2. The
proclamation of the Mystery of Romans 16 was accompanied by supernatural gifts
promised to Israel, Roms.16:25, 1:11 and 15:18-19.
3. The Mystery of Roms.16
was kept secret or silent since the world began but made plain by the Scriptures
of the prophets, not Paul alone. Roms.16:25-26 and compare Roms.1:1-6.
4. The
Mystery of Romans 16 was the preaching of Christ Jesus as the One prefigured in
Adam, Roms.16:25, 5:14.
5. The Mystery if Romans 16 was to establish the
prophetic remnant unto the obedience of faith, Roms.16:26, 1:5, 5:19, 6:16,
15:18.
6. The Mystery of Romans 16 is associated with a dispensational
advantage held by the Jews, Roms.1:16-17, 2:9-10, 3:1-3, 11:18, and the
prophetic inclusion of the Gentiles as counter provocation, Roms.10:19,
Deut.32:21, and Roms.11:11, 13-14.
7. The Mystery of Romans 16 is inseparable
from the hope of Israel which during Acts, was sustained by supernatural gifts.
Roms.16:20, 15:3-13, where Paul quotes Ps.69 (God will save Zion) and Roms.15:8,
the promises made to Israel's fathers. See also Roms.15:9 (Ps.18), 15:10
(Deut.32:43),.15:11 (Ps.117) and 15:12 (Is.11). The Holy Spirit provided the
ability to sustain this hope at that time, see Roms.15:13 and
1Cor.1:4-8.
By
comparison, we shall preface our examinations of The Mystery of Ephesians and
Colossians by highlighting some of the structural and contextual elements which
accompany it.
1. The
Mystery of Ephesians and Colossians was to inform the saints who had crossed the
Acts 28 boundary, of the new dispensation revealed through Paul
alone.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you
Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is
given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery;
Eph
3:1-3a
2. The Mystery of Ephesians was not
accompanied by mighty signs and wonders. Eph.4:8-11 and see 1Tim.5:23 &
2Tim.4:20.
3. The Mystery of Ephesians and Colossians goes back before the
foundation of the world and was never kept silent but hid in God. Neither is it
made plain by the scriptures of the prophets. Eph.1:4-5, 3:8-9.
4. The
Mystery of Ephesians and Colossians was the proclamation of Christ Jesus as the
Head of a new called out company called the Church which is His Body.
Eph.1:22-23 and Cols.1:18.
5. The post Acts Mystery of Ephesians and
Colossians was not given to establish the remnant, but to reveal a completely
new calling unknown to the prophets. Col.1:25-26 and 2Tim.1:9.
6. The Mystery
of Ephesians and Colossians reveals a new dispensation in which the Jews and
Gentiles are on equal footing dispensationally. The Jews have no advantage
today, it is Christ among (all) nations. Eph.2:10-18 and Col.1:27, Christ among
the Gentiles.
7. The hope associated with the Mystery of Ephesians and
Colossians is a hope never before revealed in the OT, or the NT up until it was
revealed to Paul post Acts 28. Paul prays the Ephesians would be granted by the
Father, to know the hope of His calling. Eph.1:15-18, 2:4-10, Col.3:1-4. This
hope was never declared in Romans.
When we open our Bible we find it is separated into two parts: the Old Testament and the New. In nearly every church system, it is assumed that the OT is about Israel and the NT is about us, the church. This is incorrect and the basis of the great divisions within the Christian faith.
It was Paul who warned us we must distinguish things that differ. We must rightly divide the Word of Truth if we wish to be unashamed, approved, found sincere and without offense:
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent [margin, 'test things differing']; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;" Php 1:9-10
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2Ti 2:15
Rejoicing with you in the mystery of Ephesians and Colossians.
When we open our Bible we find it is separated into two parts: the Old Testament and the New. In nearly every church system, it is assumed that the OT is about Israel and the NT is about us, the church. This is incorrect and the basis of the great divisions within the Christian faith.
There
are those who study Paul in the New Testament because Paul is the only
Apostle for us Gentiles, Eph.3:1. However, Paul ministered both sides of
the Acts 28 NT dividing line; thus not all of Paul is about us today.
It was Paul who warned us we must distinguish things that differ. We must rightly divide the Word of Truth if we wish to be unashamed, approved, found sincere and without offense:
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent [margin, 'test things differing']; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;" Php 1:9-10
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2Ti 2:15
Paul's example of wrongly dividing the word of truth in 2Tim.2:16-18, shows us the danger of loosely handling God's word.
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some." 2Ti 2:16-18
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some." 2Ti 2:16-18
Hymenaeus
and Philetus were teaching a Bible truth but joining it with an
incorrect time. Our Lord's resurrection was in the past, but they were
teaching about the believer's resurrection as being in the past and
overturned the faith of some. Taking a Bible truth and misplacing it is
confusing not edifying.
There
are some Bible teachers like Hymenaeus and Philetus today. They fail to
understand the dividing line of Acts 28 so when they read of the church
which is his body and our inheritance in the heavenly places of
Ephesians, they claim they "see" it in the Old Testament where it cannot
be found. They think all the Bible is about us today. All the Bible is
for us (2Tim.3:16), but not all of it is about us. Dragging truth for
today back into the past is wrong division and this creates confusion
and the faith of many is overturned.
Others,
like Hymenaeus and Philetus, find the Mystery in Ephesians, then they
"see" this mystery in all of Paul's writings, including those written
before the Acts 28 dividing line. These assume that since all of the
churches featured in Paul's writings were established during Acts, it
follows all those churches knew of The Mystery of Ephesians during Acts.
This is contrary to the truths in those Acts period letters and is also
dragging truth for today back into the past.
Romans
16 speaks of a mystery, but Romans was written before Acts 28. It fits
into that part of the New Testament which is a continuation of the Old
Testament. Paul writes in Romans of God's earthly purpose and their
earthly hope (15:4-13). The church at Ephesus, established during Acts
also had an earthly hope prior to Acts 28, this we shall prove. But
after Acts 28, Paul wrote to the Ephesians with new dispensational
truths and a heavenly hope.
Yes,
the Ephesians church was established during the Acts period but that
fact does not mean they knew the dispensational truth for today.
Paul opened his letter to the Ephesians with a doxology, a hymn of praise. In this hymn of praise are concepts never before revealed;
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ; according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Eph 1:3-4
The Ephesians, believers who had lived through the change at Acts 28, received a letter from Paul in which he told them that now they had blessings, all spiritual and in the heavenly places. These are not the blessings of the Acts period where the believing Gentiles were to be blessed with faithful Abraham, see Gals.3:7,9. Galatians was written before Acts 28, Ephesians was written after.
Paul's letters fall either side of Acts 28, please email me for a copy of a chart showing these two groups of letters.
Having blessed God for these new blessings revealed, Paul leaves them in no doubt as to the location of them. Our blessings are in the heavenly places which is precisely where our Lord is seated at the Father's right;
.......... He seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlies, Eph 1:20
Before Acts 28, the believers were not destined for the heavenly places but the earth and the New Jerusalem which descends to the new earth, see Gals.3:18, 4:26 and 1Cor.15:54-55 and see Is.25 and Hosea 13-14.
These wonderful new blessings of Ephesians were according to a choice God made regarding us before the foundation of the world, before the earth or Israel came into being. Thus our blessings are not related to this world, but to the very place where God existed before it.
Paul is writing of something never before revealed but something that God had planned before the foundation of the world. People did not know of these things before Acts 28 because our Heavenly Father did not chose to reveal them until after Acts 28. Here is Paul's first mention of mystery in Ephesians;
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, which He caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and understanding; having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, for an administration of the fullness of times, to head up all things in Christ, both the things in Heaven, and the things on earth, even in Him, Eph 1:7-10
The mystery of our Father's will, that which He had kept to Himself was that our Lord, when the time is right, will head up all things both the things in heaven and the things on earth.
From Genesis 1:1 to Acts 28, the purpose of the Father for Christ was the earthly one. After Acts 28 the Father revealed the mystery of His will regarding the purpose for the heavenly places.
Romans, before Acts 28 is about the earth, Ephesians, after Acts 28 is about the heavenly places; their mysteries are not the same.`
Paul opened his letter to the Ephesians with a doxology, a hymn of praise. In this hymn of praise are concepts never before revealed;
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ; according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Eph 1:3-4
The Ephesians, believers who had lived through the change at Acts 28, received a letter from Paul in which he told them that now they had blessings, all spiritual and in the heavenly places. These are not the blessings of the Acts period where the believing Gentiles were to be blessed with faithful Abraham, see Gals.3:7,9. Galatians was written before Acts 28, Ephesians was written after.
Paul's letters fall either side of Acts 28, please email me for a copy of a chart showing these two groups of letters.
Having blessed God for these new blessings revealed, Paul leaves them in no doubt as to the location of them. Our blessings are in the heavenly places which is precisely where our Lord is seated at the Father's right;
.......... He seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlies, Eph 1:20
Before Acts 28, the believers were not destined for the heavenly places but the earth and the New Jerusalem which descends to the new earth, see Gals.3:18, 4:26 and 1Cor.15:54-55 and see Is.25 and Hosea 13-14.
These wonderful new blessings of Ephesians were according to a choice God made regarding us before the foundation of the world, before the earth or Israel came into being. Thus our blessings are not related to this world, but to the very place where God existed before it.
Paul is writing of something never before revealed but something that God had planned before the foundation of the world. People did not know of these things before Acts 28 because our Heavenly Father did not chose to reveal them until after Acts 28. Here is Paul's first mention of mystery in Ephesians;
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, which He caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and understanding; having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, for an administration of the fullness of times, to head up all things in Christ, both the things in Heaven, and the things on earth, even in Him, Eph 1:7-10
The mystery of our Father's will, that which He had kept to Himself was that our Lord, when the time is right, will head up all things both the things in heaven and the things on earth.
From Genesis 1:1 to Acts 28, the purpose of the Father for Christ was the earthly one. After Acts 28 the Father revealed the mystery of His will regarding the purpose for the heavenly places.
Romans, before Acts 28 is about the earth, Ephesians, after Acts 28 is about the heavenly places; their mysteries are not the same.`
After
Acts 28 the Kingdom includes a redeemed family in the heavenly places.
Paul had spent 2 years with the Ephesians in the Acts period, Acts 19. When he called for the elders as recorded in Acts 20 we read this;
... he said to them, You know how I was with you at all times, from the first day I arrived in Asia, . . . how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but declared it to you, teaching you publicly and from house to house, Act 20:18, 20
And now behold, now I know that you all, among whom I have passed through preaching the kingdom of God, will no longer see my face. Therefore I testify to you this very day, that I am innocent of all blood. For I did not draw back from declaring to you all the counsel of God. Acts 20:25-27
Paul had declared all the counsel of God to the Ephesians but the counsel of God for believers changed at Acts 28. It was no longer the earthly aspect of the Kingdom but the heavenly one. Look at Paul's prayer for the Ephesians after Acts 28;
Therefore I also, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us, Eph 1:15-19
This prayer is threefold. Put simply, the prayer is for enlightenment as to their hope, their inheritance, and the power toward them. These things are all new because the mystery of God's will regarding the heavenly places had not been given Paul during Acts. He had given them all the counsel of God regarding the families belonging to the earth, but now that purpose had been set aside.
It was never a mystery that the Lord of Glory could descend from heaven and return there, He had appeared frequently to His servants from Genesis to Malachi. The disciples saw the Lord ascend through the clouds, Acts 1:9 and Peter knew that the heavenly beings there were now subject to him:
Paul had spent 2 years with the Ephesians in the Acts period, Acts 19. When he called for the elders as recorded in Acts 20 we read this;
... he said to them, You know how I was with you at all times, from the first day I arrived in Asia, . . . how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but declared it to you, teaching you publicly and from house to house, Act 20:18, 20
And now behold, now I know that you all, among whom I have passed through preaching the kingdom of God, will no longer see my face. Therefore I testify to you this very day, that I am innocent of all blood. For I did not draw back from declaring to you all the counsel of God. Acts 20:25-27
Paul had declared all the counsel of God to the Ephesians but the counsel of God for believers changed at Acts 28. It was no longer the earthly aspect of the Kingdom but the heavenly one. Look at Paul's prayer for the Ephesians after Acts 28;
Therefore I also, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us, Eph 1:15-19
This prayer is threefold. Put simply, the prayer is for enlightenment as to their hope, their inheritance, and the power toward them. These things are all new because the mystery of God's will regarding the heavenly places had not been given Paul during Acts. He had given them all the counsel of God regarding the families belonging to the earth, but now that purpose had been set aside.
It was never a mystery that the Lord of Glory could descend from heaven and return there, He had appeared frequently to His servants from Genesis to Malachi. The disciples saw the Lord ascend through the clouds, Acts 1:9 and Peter knew that the heavenly beings there were now subject to him:
…the resurrection of Jesus Christ; who is at the right hand of God,
having gone into Heaven, where the angels and authorities and powers are being
subjected to Him. 1Pe 3:21-22
When Peter wrote his letters during the Acts period, it was not known that any family of believers would be raised and seated with Christ in that glorious place. Peter wrote about the salvation the Prophets researched in their own writings, see 1Pet.1:9-12. Peter did not write of the salvation that had been kept a mystery. The mystery of God's will had not been revealed when Peter wrote; it was revealed to Paul alone after Israel was set aside at Acts 28. Look at these words of Paul to the Ephesians:
When Peter wrote his letters during the Acts period, it was not known that any family of believers would be raised and seated with Christ in that glorious place. Peter wrote about the salvation the Prophets researched in their own writings, see 1Pet.1:9-12. Peter did not write of the salvation that had been kept a mystery. The mystery of God's will had not been revealed when Peter wrote; it was revealed to Paul alone after Israel was set aside at Acts 28. Look at these words of Paul to the Ephesians:
For this cause, I, Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you
nations, if you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is
given to me toward you, that by revelation He made known to me the mystery . .
. Eph 3:1-3a
Of this gospel I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of His power. This grace is given to me (who am less than the least of all saints) to preach the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ among the nations, and to bring to light what is the fellowship of the mystery which from eternity has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; so that now to the rulers and powers in the heavenlies might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Eph 3:7-10
Paul assured the Ephesians back in the Acts period, that he had declared all the counsel of God to them; he had kept back nothing. But while God does not change as to character, God certainly does change His dealings with people, and at the revelation of the mystery to Paul after the Acts period closed, we find that God has fatherhoods (families) on the earth and in the heavenly places and our Lord will head all companies there in due course.
Of this gospel I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of His power. This grace is given to me (who am less than the least of all saints) to preach the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ among the nations, and to bring to light what is the fellowship of the mystery which from eternity has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; so that now to the rulers and powers in the heavenlies might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Eph 3:7-10
Paul assured the Ephesians back in the Acts period, that he had declared all the counsel of God to them; he had kept back nothing. But while God does not change as to character, God certainly does change His dealings with people, and at the revelation of the mystery to Paul after the Acts period closed, we find that God has fatherhoods (families) on the earth and in the heavenly places and our Lord will head all companies there in due course.
Rejoicing with you in the mystery of Ephesians and Colossians.
Brian
For previous lessons in this series go to bibleunderstanding.com/pastissues.htm
For previous lessons in this series go to bibleunderstanding.com/pastissues.htm
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