(Part I of Mysteries)

(Ephesians 5:32)

“This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church”.

Do you like a good mystery? 

I enjoy a mystery in the form of a story.  The best ones take about three years to figure out.  You can always see the obvious, but it the hidden part that makes it a good mystery.  The answers are not all given – this is purposed.  Only after the mind has some time to churn on it does the mystery reveal itself – and possibly be solved.

The history of this word “mystery” is a little different than our contemporary understanding.  If we see this, it will help us to understand the Biblical word.

“Something hidden from human knowledge and fitted to inspire awe; something incomprehensible through being above human intelligence; something intentionally kept hidden; a secret.”

There is a Greek and Roman understanding from their polytheism and religious rites (that was the setting from which Paul writes):  “ceremonies in ancient, chiefly Greek and Roman religions, only known to and practiced by those who have been initiated.”

I am told that some of these exist today; I wouldn’t know for obvious reasons; I have not been initiated into any of them.

  The NT word is mysterion. It occurs only twenty-seven times in the NT, twenty of them in Paul's writings (Ro 11:25; 16:25; 1 Co 2:7; 4:1; 13:2; 14:2; 15:51; Eph 1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 5:32; 6:19; Col 1:26, 27; 2:2; 4:3; 2 Th 2:7; 1 Ti 3:9, 16). Its other seven uses (Mt 13:11; Mk 4:11; Lk 8:10; Rev 1:20; 10:7; 17:5,7) are found in connection with parables about God's kingdom or truths disclosed in the Book of Revelation. The word is always associated with a verb of revelation or proclamation. A "mystery" is an insight into some present-day Christian experience or future expectation not unveiled (as clearly) in the OT.

Vine’s Expositor’s Dictionary:  “primarily that which is known to the initiated (Phil.4:12 – “I have learned the secret RV).  In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the English word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit.  In an ordinary sense a mystery implies knowledge withheld; its Scriptural significance is truth revealed.   Best seen in Colossians 1:26 – “the mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations:  but now hath it been manifested to His saints.”

The use of mystery in the NT Scripture always looks forward to a fulfillment in God’s time. 

Ephesians 5:32 says, “This is a profound mystery.”

What is the profound mystery?

Two possible answers:

I.                    The union of a husband and wife.

The Scripture says that the way a man and woman are attracted to one another is amazing and wonderful.

  PR 30:18 "There are three things that are too amazing for me,

    four that I do not understand:

  PR 30:19 the way of an eagle in the sky,

    the way of a snake on a rock,

  the way of a ship on the high seas,

    and the way of a man with a maiden.

The Scripture also say that the way a husband and wife consummate this relationship is amazing and wonderful.

PR 30:20 "This is the way of an adulteress:

    She eats and wipes her mouth

    and says, `I've done nothing wrong.'

Listen to Paul description of the husband and wife relationship which if amazing and wonderful.

I am overwhelmed and frustrated by the shipwreck and divorce of so many of our relationships.  This is unfortunate for all involved.

On the other hand I am surprised that any of us have made it!

“All of us have seen two rivers flowing smoothly and quietly along until they meet and join to form one new river.  When this happens they clash and hurl themselves at one another.  However, as the newly formed river flows downstream, it gradually quiets down and flows smoothly again.  And now it is broader and more majestic and has more power.  So it is in a marriage:  the forming of a new union may be tumultuous – but, when achieved, the result if far greater than either alone.”

This is amazing, wonderful, and even mysterious.

But, this was not the profound mystery.

II.                 The union of Christ and His church.

This is the profound mystery.

Paul is trying to tell us good things about how to operate in our marriages, but it is the greater picture of The Lord Jesus Christ and His Church that kept shining through.

A Holy Spirit filled Church (5:15-20)

A Submissive to one another Church (5:21)

A reverential fear of God Church (5:21)

A submissive to Christ Church (5:24)

A loving and sacrificial Church (5:25)

A holy Church (5:26)

A radiant Church (5:27)

A blameless Church (5:27)

A well fed and cared for Church (5:29)

And then verse 30 beautifully sets it all up:

“We are members of His Body.”

So, for husbands and wives Genesis 2:24 is to be practiced, which is amazing and wonderful.

But, the profound mystery (hidden in time past, but now revealed by direct revelation from God, Himself) is that there is an unbelievable union between Christ and His blood bought church.

The Scripture does not even leave it there, but actually calls the church “the bride of Christ”.

I was teaching this to elementary age girls at Jr. Boys and Girls camp in a devotion time.  They really got a kick out it.  “You mean you are also the bride?”  I said, “Yes I am.”  Then they said, “Have you told the boys this yet?”