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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ephesians 3:9 and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/3-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/49_Eph_03_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 3:9 - The Mystery of the Gospel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nasb_/ephesians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; <a href="/nasb/ephesians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; <a href="/nasb77/ephesians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; <a href="/lsb/ephesians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and to bring to light for all what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; <a href="/amp/ephesians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and to make plain [to everyone] the plan of the mystery [regarding the uniting of believing Jews and Gentiles into one body] which [until now] was kept hidden through the ages in [the mind of] God who created all things. <a href="/csb/ephesians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. <a href="/hcsb/ephesians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. <a href="/asv/ephesians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; <a href="/cev/ephesians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> God, who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind. <a href="/erv/ephesians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which from all ages hath been hid in God who created all things; <a href="/gwt/ephesians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He allowed me to explain the way this mystery works. God, who created all things, kept it hidden in the past. <a href="/gnt/ephesians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, <a href="/isv/ephesians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> and help everyone see how this secret that has been at work was hidden for ages by God, who created all things. <a href="/msb/ephesians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ. <a href="/net/ephesians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> and to enlighten everyone about God's secret plan--a secret that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. <a href="/nheb/ephesians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and to bring to light for all what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; <a href="/wbt/ephesians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: <a href="/wey/ephesians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and to show all men in a clear light what my stewardship is. It is the stewardship of the truth which from all the Ages lay concealed in the mind of God, the Creator of all things-- <a href="/web/ephesians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ephesians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and to cause all to see what [is] the fellowship of the secret that has been hid from the ages in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ, <a href="/blb/ephesians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and to enlighten all what is the administration of the mystery having been hidden from the ages in God, the One having created all things, <a href="/ylt/ephesians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and to cause all to see what is the fellowship of the secret that hath been hid from the ages in God, who the all things did create by Jesus Christ, <a href="/slt/ephesians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And to enlighten all what the distribution of the mystery, concealed from times immemorial in God, having created all things by Jesus Christ:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ephesians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things: <a href="/cpdv/ephesians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> and to enlighten everyone concerning the dispensation of the mystery, hidden before the ages in God who created all things, <a href="/nabre/ephesians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> and to bring to light [for all] what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, <a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And that I may enlighten all men that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which for ages had been hidden from the world by God who created all things: <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And that I may enlighten every person by the administration of the mystery which was hidden from the world in God The Creator of all,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/ephesians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and enlighten all men with respect to the plan of the mystery, which was concealed from the ages in God, who created all things; <a href="/godbey/ephesians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and to shine forth what is the economy of the mystery which has been hidden from the ages in God who created all things; <a href="/haweis/ephesians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and to make all men see what the communication of that mystery means, which was hid from the beginning in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: <a href="/mace/ephesians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and display to all the world that mysterious dispensation, which from all past ages has been conceal'd in the secret purpose of God, who created all things: <a href="/wey/ephesians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and to show all men in a clear light what my stewardship is. It is the stewardship of the truth which from all the Ages lay concealed in the mind of God, the Creator of all things-- <a href="/worrell/ephesians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and to plainly show what is the dispensation of the mystery which from the ages has been hidden away in God, Who made all things; <a href="/worsley/ephesians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and make all men to see the communication of the mystery, which from the ages past hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; <a href="/parallel/ephesians/3-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=462" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ephesians/3.htm">The Mystery of the Gospel</a> …8Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5461.htm" title="5461: phōtisai (V-ANA) -- From phos; to shed rays, i.e. To shine or to brighten up.">to illuminate</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantas (Adj-AMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">for everyone</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tis (IPro-NFS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3622.htm" title="3622: oikonomia (N-NFS) -- Management of household affairs, stewardship, administration. From oikonomos; administration; specially, a economy.">stewardship</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of this</a> <a href="/greek/3466.htm" title="3466: mystēriou (N-GNS) -- From a derivative of muo; a secret or mystery.">mystery,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">which</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/165.htm" title="165: aiōnōn (N-GMP) -- From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.">ages past</a> <a href="/greek/613.htm" title="613: apokekrymmenou (V-RPM/P-GNS) -- To hide away, conceal, keep secret. From apo and krupto; to conceal away; figuratively, to keep secret.">was kept hidden</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/2936.htm" title="2936: ktisanti (V-APA-DMS) -- To create, form, shape, make, always of God. Probably akin to ktaomai; to fabricate, i.e. Found.">created</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all things.</a> 10His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/colossians/1-26.htm">Colossians 1:26-27</a> the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. / To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. <a href="/romans/16-25.htm">Romans 16:25-26</a> Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past / but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith— <a href="/1_corinthians/2-7.htm">1 Corinthians 2:7-10</a> No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. / Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” ... <a href="/2_timothy/1-9.htm">2 Timothy 1:9-10</a> He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. / And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel, <a href="/1_peter/1-20.htm">1 Peter 1:20-21</a> He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake. / Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God. <a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. <a href="/hebrews/1-1.htm">Hebrews 1:1-2</a> On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. <a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Colossians 2:2-3</a> that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. <a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">1 Corinthians 4:1</a> So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a> By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory. <a href="/1_peter/1-12.htm">1 Peter 1:12</a> It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. <a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">Genesis 1:1</a> In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. <a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">Proverbs 8:22-31</a> The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. / From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. / When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. ... <a href="/isaiah/45-18.htm">Isaiah 45:18</a> For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. <a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Daniel 2:22</a> He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:to.<a href="/matthew/10-27.htm">Matthew 10:27</a> What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a> Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:<a href="/mark/16-15.htm">Mark 16:15,16</a> And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature… fellowship.<a href="/ephesians/3-3.htm">Ephesians 3:3-5</a> How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, … <a href="/ephesians/1-9.htm">Ephesians 1:9,10</a> Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: … <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a> 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.beginning.<a href="/ephesians/1-4.htm">Ephesians 1:4</a> According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:<a href="/matthew/13-35.htm">Matthew 13:35</a> 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.<a href="/matthew/25-34.htm">Matthew 25:34</a> Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:hid.<a href="/colossians/1-26.htm">Colossians 1:26</a> Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:<a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Colossians 3:3</a> For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.created.<a href="/psalms/33-6.htm">Psalm 33:6</a> By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.<a href="/isaiah/44-24.htm">Isaiah 44:24</a> Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;<a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ephesians/3-2.htm">Administration</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-5.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/galatians/3-3.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-1.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/galatians/2-13.htm">Concealed</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Created</a> <a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Creator</a> <a href="/john/1-9.htm">Enlighten</a> <a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Fellowship</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-12.htm">First</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-3.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-2.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-3.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-18.htm">Light</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-3.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Mystery</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-2.htm">Ordering</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Past</a> <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-11.htm">Plan</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-4.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-7.htm">Show</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-2.htm">Stewardship</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-31.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">Administration</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-11.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/philippians/2-6.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-14.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-11.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-10.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-10.htm">Concealed</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-24.htm">Created</a> <a href="/colossians/3-10.htm">Creator</a> <a href="/2_timothy/1-10.htm">Enlighten</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Fellowship</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-9.htm">First</a> <a href="/colossians/1-26.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/colossians/1-26.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-11.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-32.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Light</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-2.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-32.htm">Mystery</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-2.htm">Ordering</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-19.htm">Past</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-5.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/revelation/21-16.htm">Plan</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-12.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/colossians/2-15.htm">Show</a> <a href="/colossians/1-25.htm">Stewardship</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-21.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-15.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-21.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 3</div>1. <a href="/ephesians/3-1.htm">The hidden mystery that the Gentiles should be saved was made known to Paul by revelation;</a> 8. <a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">and to him was that grace given, that he should preach it.</a> 13. <a href="/ephesians/3-13.htm">He desires them not to be discouraged over his tribulation;</a> 14. <a href="/ephesians/3-14.htm">and prays that they may perceive the great love of Christ toward them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ephesians/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>and to illuminate for everyone This phrase emphasizes the apostle Paul's mission to reveal divine truths to all people, not just a select group. The concept of illumination suggests bringing light to something previously obscured. In biblical terms, light often symbolizes truth and understanding (<a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>). Paul's role as an apostle to the Gentiles (<a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a>) underscores the inclusivity of the gospel message, breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles (<a href="/ephesians/2-14.htm">Ephesians 2:14</a>).the stewardship of this mystery The term "stewardship" refers to the responsibility of managing or overseeing something. In this context, Paul is entrusted with the responsibility of revealing God's plan. The "mystery" pertains to the previously hidden truth that Gentiles are fellow heirs in Christ (<a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Ephesians 3:6</a>). This concept of mystery is a recurring theme in Paul's letters, indicating divine truths revealed at the appointed time (<a href="/colossians/1-26.htm">Colossians 1:26-27</a>).which for ages past was kept hidden in God This phrase highlights the divine timing and sovereignty in the revelation of God's plan. The mystery was concealed in God's wisdom until the appropriate time (<a href="/romans/16-25.htm">Romans 16:25-26</a>). The idea of something being hidden in God suggests His omniscience and the unfolding of His redemptive plan throughout history. This aligns with the biblical narrative of progressive revelation, where God's purposes are gradually disclosed (<a href="/hebrews/1.htm">Hebrews 1:1-2</a>).who created all things This statement affirms God's role as the Creator, establishing His authority and power over all creation (<a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1:1</a>). It underscores the idea that the same God who orchestrated the universe is the one revealing this mystery. The reference to creation also connects to the new creation in Christ, where believers are made new (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>). This ties into the broader biblical theme of redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ, the agent of creation (<a href="/john/1-3.htm">John 1:3</a>; <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus to explain the mystery of the Gospel and his role in revealing it. 2. <a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a> A major city in Asia Minor, known for its temple to Artemis and a significant early Christian community. Paul spent considerable time here during his missionary journeys. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_mystery.htm">The Mystery</a> Refers to the previously hidden truth of the Gospel, that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel, part of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god_the_creator.htm">God the Creator</a> The passage emphasizes God as the creator of all things, highlighting His sovereignty and the divine origin of the Gospel mystery. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_church.htm">The Church</a> The body of believers, both Jews and Gentiles, who are now united in Christ as part of God's revealed plan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_mystery.htm">Understanding the Mystery</a> The mystery of the Gospel is that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all, both Jews and Gentiles. This was a radical revelation in Paul's time and remains a foundational truth for the Church today. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_timing.htm">God's Sovereignty and Timing</a> The mystery was hidden in God for ages, revealing His sovereign control over history and His perfect timing in revealing His plan. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_church.htm">Role of the Church</a> As stewards of this mystery, the Church is called to illuminate and share the Gospel with the world, demonstrating unity and love across cultural and ethnic boundaries. <a href="/topical/c/creation_and_redemption.htm">Creation and Redemption</a> The mention of God as the creator of all things ties the act of creation to the act of redemption, showing that God's plan encompasses all of creation. <a href="/topical/p/personal_stewardship.htm">Personal Stewardship</a> Each believer has a role in stewarding the mystery of the Gospel, using their unique gifts and opportunities to share the message of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ephesians_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 3</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_god's_mystery.htm">What is the meaning of God's mystery?</a> <a href="/q/what_constitutes_the_mystery_of_faith.htm">What constitutes the mystery of faith?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_mid-acts_dispensationalism.htm">What defines Mid-Acts Dispensationalism?</a> <a href="/q/what_secrets_does_god_reveal.htm">What does God reveal about hidden secrets?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) To make all men see.--St. Paul speaks here first of manifestation to all men. The phrase used in the original is at once stronger and weaker than our version of it. It is stronger, for the word is, properly, to enlighten or illuminate--the same word used above (<a href="/ephesians/1-18.htm" title="The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,">Ephesians 1:18</a>), "the eyes of your heart being enlightened." Strictly, Christ alone is the Light of the world, "which enlightens every man" (<a href="/context/john/1-4.htm" title="In him was life; and the life was the light of men.">John 1:4-5</a>; <a href="/john/1-9.htm" title="That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.">John 1:9</a>; <a href="/john/8-2.htm" title="And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down, and taught them.">John 8:2</a>); but, as reflecting Him, He declared His servants to be the "light of the world." Yet it is weaker, for while we can enlighten, it is our daily sorrow that we cannot "make men see." Even He wept over Jerusalem because His light was, by wilful blindness, "hidden from their eyes" (<a href="/luke/19-41.htm" title="And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,">Luke 19:41</a>). To "open the eyes, and turn men from darkness to light," although (as in <a href="/acts/26-18.htm" title="To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.">Acts 26:18</a>) attributed in general terms to the servants of God, because naturally following on their ministry, is properly the work of the Holy Spirit, even in relation to the words of our Lord Himself (<a href="/john/14-26.htm" title="But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.">John 14:26</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - And to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery. Another branch of his office, and another fruit of God's grace in conferring it. He was not only to benefit man, but also to vindicate God. For "fellowship of the mystery" (A.V.), the R.V. has "dispensation of the mystery," founded on the preference of the reading οἰκονομια, for which there is a great preponderance of authority over κοινωνία. It was the apostle's function to show how this mystery had been dispensed - concealed for a long time and at last revealed. Which from the beginning of the ages hath been hid in God. The counsel itself was πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων, before the foundation of the world; the concealment of it ἀπό τῶν αἰώνων, from the beginning of the ages, when there were intelligent beings capable of understanding it - whether angels or men. Whatever the angels may have known of the Divine plans, this feature of them was not known till revealed to the New Testament Church. Who created all things. The reason for adding this particular designation of God is not obvious; probably it is to indicate the relation of the matter in hand to the mightiest works of God. This is no trifling matter; it connects itself with God's grandest operations; it has supremely glorious bearings. It might be supposed to have relations only to one race and to one period of time; but it has relations to "all things;" it is an integral element in God's plan. The words, by Jesus Christ (A.V.), are not found in a great preponderance of textual authorities. <a href="/commentaries/ephesians/3-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. to illuminate φωτίσαι (phōtisai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5461.htm">Strong's 5461: </a> From phos; to shed rays, i.e. To shine or to brighten up. for everyone πάντας (pantas) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. stewardship οἰκονομία (oikonomia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3622.htm">Strong's 3622: </a> Management of household affairs, stewardship, administration. From oikonomos; administration; specially, a 'economy'. of [this] τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. mystery, μυστηρίου (mystēriou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3466.htm">Strong's 3466: </a> From a derivative of muo; a secret or 'mystery'. which τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. for ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. ages past αἰώνων (aiōnōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_165.htm">Strong's 165: </a> From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period. was hidden ἀποκεκρυμμένου (apokekrymmenou) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_613.htm">Strong's 613: </a> To hide away, conceal, keep secret. From apo and krupto; to conceal away; figuratively, to keep secret. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. God, Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. who τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. created κτίσαντι (ktisanti) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2936.htm">Strong's 2936: </a> To create, form, shape, make, always of God. Probably akin to ktaomai; to fabricate, i.e. Found. all things. πάντα (panta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-9.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what (Ephes. Eph. Ep) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ephesians 3:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ephesians 3:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ephesians/3-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ephesians 3:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ephesians 3:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>