![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
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and to make all see what is<\/em> the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God has revealed new truths during the church age.<\/p>\n The words \u201cto make \u2026 see<\/span>\u201d are translated from the Greek verb photidz\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which is based on phos<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201clight.\u201d Photidz\u014d<\/span><\/em> means \u201cto give light to;\u201d that is, \u201cto illuminate,\u201d to bring to light,\u201d or \u201cto make known.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFellowship<\/span>\u201d is from the noun koin\u014dnia<\/span><\/em>, which is related to the verb koin\u014dne\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto share.\u201d Koin\u014dnia<\/span><\/em> refers to communal sharing, fellowship, or participation. In the older manuscripts, however, this word is not used; instead, oikonomia<\/span><\/em> is used. In verse two we learned that oikonomia<\/span><\/em> refers to \u201cadministration\u201d or \u201cstewardship.\u201d<\/p>\n The expression \u201cthe beginning of the ages<\/span>\u201d is translated from \u201capo t\u014dn ai\u014dn\u014dn<\/span><\/em>.\u201d Apo<\/span><\/em> means \u201cfrom\u201d and t\u014dn<\/span><\/em> is the definite article (the). The word ai\u014dn\u014dn<\/span><\/em> is a form of ai\u014dn<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201can indefinitely long period of time.\u201d It is often translated \u201cage\u201d and sometimes translated \u201ceternity.\u201d Paul\u2019s meaning here is probably \u201cfrom eternity past\u201d or \u201cfrom the beginning of time.\u201d<\/p>\n The words \u201chas been hidden<\/span>\u201d is from apokrupt\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which is made up of apo<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cfrom\u201d or \u201caway from\u201d and krupt\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto hide.\u201d Thus it means \u201cto hide away.\u201d It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, with emphasis on the effect.<\/p>\n Since verse three Paul has been talking about a mystery. You may recall that the word translated \u201cmystery<\/span>\u201d refers to something that has previously been unknown but now is revealed. We learned a few verses back that the mystery he is talking about is the fact that the Gentiles and the Jews are jointly part of God\u2019s holy temple. That is, the Gentiles now share in the promises made to the Jews, they are part of the same body, and they are fellow heirs of God\u2019s eternal estate.<\/p>\n In yesterday\u2019s verse, Paul said that he, being less than the least of all the saints, was granted the privilege and responsibility of preaching the Gospel message to the Gentiles. In that verse he referred to the message he is commissioned to proclaim as \u201cthe unsearchable riches of Christ.” The riches that he referred to are an expression of how precious this salvation by faith is. There is not enough money in the entire world to purchase this salvation. Therefore, it can\u2019t be purchased; it can only be received as a gift.<\/p>\n In the current verse he tells us he also has been given the responsibility of enlightening all of mankind about the administration of this mystery. In other words, Paul is to proclaim the Gospel and explain how the Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ. The remainder of this verse is best explained along with verse ten.<\/p>\n We are living in an age (since the death of Jesus Christ) in which new truths about God have been revealed. Most of the world, however, is ignoring these truths and living in ignorance. How are you living in light of what you have learned?<\/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
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
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