To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery …
Summary: Who is “them?” “Them” are the “Lord’s people.” People like you and me.
To make any sense of this passage, we have to step back a few paces and pull in some context.
Paul has been talking about the commission God gave him. His task is to present the Word of God to the Gentiles. He begins by pointing out that the Word was a “mystery that has been kept hidden for ages.” This “mystery” has now been revealed as the Good News about God’s Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Paul notes that this Good News, the Gospel, has been given to “the Lord’s people.” This is part of the mystery! Who are the “Lord’s people?”
Jesus answered this question when he spoke with the woman at the well (John 4: 1-42). He had just revealed that he knew all about her sordid past. She responded excitedly, realizing he was a prophet. Then Jesus said:
“‘Woman,’ Jesus replied, ‘believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.’” (John 4: 21-23)
Later, while talking about his “sheep,” Jesus said:
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
In both cases, Jesus hints that while “salvation is from the Jews,” God does not limit his salvation. The Jews exist to bring the offer of salvation to all of mankind.
So, who are the “Lord’s people?”
Anyone who will “worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth.” This includes non-Jews, called Gentiles.
For centuries, the Jews had looked down on Gentiles as lesser beings. They ate unclean food and engaged in offensive practices. Some of these practices were offensive because they transgressed the laws of the Pharisees, and some because they transgressed the laws of God. Through Jesus, all of us are offered forgiveness of sins and the restoration of our souls.
In one sense, Paul might have drawn the short straw, being tasked with the challenging role of being the apostle to the Gentiles. Yet, thank God he did because he is eminently qualified to explain the “glorious riches of this mystery.”
Application: Thank God he allows all people to worship him in the Spirit and in truth.
Food for Thought: Why does Paul equate the Gospel to “glorious riches?”
To be freed from the slavery of sin, redeemed back to God, to be able to live with His presence and His presence within us, and made an heir to God’s glory is worth more than any “riches” one could obtain in a lifetime. Not just worth more, nothing compares to it. The good news of the Gospel of Christ is then in itself “glorious riches.”
Hebrews 9:15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
Thank you, Chris!
Great comparison! 🙂
Very good CH.
The gospel has more worth than gold or silver, because when received it lasts longer and leads to reconciliation with our Creator.
2 Corinthians 5: 17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: a The old has gone, the new is here!
Romans 1: 16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile
Money can’t do that.
Thank you, Rich.
Like the old song, “Money can’t buy me love…”
But true love is something our Father gives us because he truly loves us!
I actually thought of that song.
🙂
Anyone who loves the Lord. This is the actual “equity and inclusion” that exists. You are not your skin color, handicap , race, or gender. All people who love the Lord are his people & his children.
Thank you, Frank!
You remind me of Galatians 3:28 —
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.“
Why does Paul equate the Gospel to “glorious riches?”
Because it is the key to salvation the key to escape our guilty charge, it’s the path away from an eternity of paying for our sin.
Y —
Interesting! I hear you equating these “riches” to the cost of redeeming us from the prison of our sins.
That is a great way of visualizing the value of these riches!