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by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Mysteries are revealed in the Bible.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you read<\/span>\u201d is translated from anagin\u014dsk\u014d<\/em><\/span>. This word is made up of ana<\/em><\/span>, used as an intensifier and gin\u014dsk\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto know.\u201d Initially this word meant \u201cto perceive accurately.\u201d Later it came to mean \u201cto recognize\u201d and in some cases \u201cto read.\u201d In the New Testament it is always used in reference to reading. It is expressed here as a present participle.<\/p>\n \u201cMay<\/span>\u201d is the translation of the word dunamai<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto be able\u201d or \u201cto have power.\u201d<\/p>\n The Greek word translated \u201cunderstand<\/span>\u201d is noie\u014d<\/em><\/span>. This word means \u201cto exercise the mind,\u201d that is \u201cto comprehend\u201d or \u201cto understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Sunesis<\/em><\/span> is the Greek word translated \u201cknowledge<\/span>.\u201d This word is made up of sun<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201ctogether\u201d and a form of the verb heimi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto send\u201d or \u201cto put.\u201d This sunesis<\/em><\/span> literally means \u201cthat which is put together;\u201d that is to say, \u201cperception\u201d or \u201cknowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n Putting this all together we see that a more literal translation of this verse would be: \u201cby the reading of which you are able to understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n This is one of those verses which has very little meaning without the verses surrounding it. You may recall that in the previous verse Paul talked about the fact that a mystery had been revealed to him. He also alluded to the fact that he had previously written to the Ephesians about this mystery. That previous writing is probably a reference to what he said in Ephesians 1:9-12<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n He goes on to explain that this mystery is the gathering together in one place (heaven) of all created things which belong to Christ (both those things in heaven and those things on earth). This mystery also includes the fact that Gentiles, who had previously been alienated from God\u2019s chosen people (the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), are now part of the same family, the family of God. We also learned recently that this mystery was not revealed to Paul by a human teacher, but by God, Himself. Now, because of what Paul has already written concerning this mystery, the readers of this letter are able to understand the mystery also.<\/p>\n Today it is in vogue to declare that all people are part of God\u2019s family. And, there are some churches which teach that we will all go to heaven. After all, a loving God wouldn\u2019t really send some people to Hell where they would suffer eternally with no possibility of being rescued from it, would He? The answer is a resounding Yes!<\/p>\n All of us have sinned and deserve eternal hell because we don\u2019t measure up to God\u2019s standard of righteousness. But He has provided a way for us to obtain His righteousness. All we have to do is believe that the blood of Jesus Christ is the payment for our sins. Those who believe that Jesus died to pay for their sins will be gathered to Heaven someday. Those who reject His blood sacrifice will die in their sins and will be condemned by God to spend eternity in Hell. Have you accepted the blood of Jesus as payment for your sins?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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