…that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
Summary: God’s word seems mysterious until God opens our eyes.
When you read the word “mystery,” what do you think of it? Do you think of a murder mystery, or does your mind go to stories of secrets told by those selling pagan religions?
In its basic form, the word describes something hidden from view. It also can refer to something difficult or impossible to understand. When it is used to describe a mystery story, such as a murder mystery, it means “a puzzle.” (Who wants to read a murder mystery that ends without knowing who done it?!)
The Gospel message truly is a “mystery.”
It was hidden from view until Jesus came and revealed God’s plan for our salvation (John 14:6), God’s motives, love for us, and methods are beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:7), and the Gospel message is a bit of a puzzle. We have to apply our mind to it to understand the gift God is offering us.
Even Paul, with all of his knowledge and understanding of the Mosaic laws, could not see or understand until God opened his eyes.
When Paul says that the “mystery” was “made known” to him by “revelation,” he is describing how God opened his eyes to something that had been hidden from him.
When Jesus was discovered missing from the tomb, there was a mystery surrounding his disappearance. Jesus’ followers knew he was dead, and they knew he had been buried in the tomb, but they didn’t know what had happened to the body.
Luke tells the story of two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35). In the story, two men are bemoaning the fact that Jesus has disappeared. Jesus himself joins them on their walk, but being preoccupied, they do not recognize him. As they walk along, Jesus reviews the Scriptures with them pointing to what is written about himself. Finally, as they sat down to eat at the end of the day:
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” (Luke 24:31-32)
Jesus met Paul on the road, too. This time, it was the road to Damascus (Act 9: 1-19). For reasons we can only guess at, the risen Jesus chose Paul to receive the Gospel message directly from himself. The message Paul received has been validated by the disciples who knew Jesus in the flesh (Galatians 1:18-19, Galatians 2:1-10). Peter himself vouches for Paul in his second letter (2 Peter 3:14-16).
Jesus himself chose to demystify the mystery of the Gospel for Paul. He chose a man who had a sharp mind, an iron will, a stubborn tenacity, and a soft heart. All of this in addition to a deep understanding of Scripture. He planted the seed of the Gospel in good soil and, as a result, Paul’s words continue to bear fruit even today.
Application: If there is something you don’t understand, ask God to explain it.
Food for Thought: Prior to Paul’s revelation of God’s truth, he had been hunting down Christians. What changed in Paul’s thinking?
Theres an old saying “garbage in, garbage out.” My grandma used to say it to me referring to me watching too much tv. I think it holds true, our thoughts and actions are influenced by what we allow into our lives. Even more, ours hearts are filled with what we dedicate our lives to.
Pauls thinking changed because his heart changed. Instead of the law he saw Jesus. I think it is interesting that in his pursuit of the Christians he sought to defend the law, but his methods were without love. In his ministry, he defended faith in Jesus with a similar ferver, but in love. We can see the difference in the two “outputs.”
Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Thank you, Chris!
Well said. A lot of things changed for Paul that day on the road to Damascus. Confronted with the reality of Christ, both his thinking and his heart changed.
Everything changed with three words (probably two in Hebrew). “I am Jesus.” With those words Paul was transformed and had to trash everything he thought he knew. His life’s purpose and all of his plans changed in an instant. When we meet the risen Lord, it changes us forever.
Brother Rich,
I agree. It is one thing to talk about power. It is another thing entirely to confront it personally.
05-06-2023, Prior to Paul’s revelation of God’s truth, he had been hunting down Christians. What changed in Paul’s thinking?
Acts 19:5, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
Paul received conviction of sin, righteousness and judgement to come by the Holy Spirit, John 16:8-11,
Acts 19:15-16, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
Matthew 4:18-22, He was called by Jesus to become His disciple to the Gentiles, kings and sons of Israel.
Acts 19:17-18, Ananias entered the house, laid his hands on Saul so that He would regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit . Saul regained his sight, got up and was baptized;
Paul received the Holy Spirit John 16:13-14
Nice synopsis, Ron!
Thank you! 🙂