4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
Continuing to extol the revealing of the great mystery, Paul gives more details. In calling Gentile believers “fellow-heirs” he refers to their equal standing with the Jewish believers. Again he reiterates the underlying truth that there is only one church, and it is not a Jewish church and it is not a Gentile church. It is one church, one “body,” one “fellowship,” and we are all partakers of the one “promise,” that is the promise of Christ Jesus.
The basic concept here is that Christ’s death brought salvation to all who believe. What an amazing act that was on God’s part. However, it is a bigger story that has enamored the apostle. It is the way God brought about this salvation. It was no longer just a Jewish thing. Christ’s death removed the distinction that had been so long in effect, a distinction in which the Jews had too great a pride and which Gentiles had to accept if they were to relate to God.
While earlier Paul emphasized his unique role in communicating this “mystery,” he makes clear now that this was revealed to the other apostles and prophets. In particular, Acts 11-12 shows, for example, how Peter learned of this truth in his dealings with Cornelius, the Roman centurion who came to faith and received the baptism of the Spirit.
Nevertheless, the truth that God would remove the Jew/Gentile distinction in bringing about salvation was something that was not known before this time. In fact, Peter explains it this way, “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating … It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you…things into which angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:11-13). This has come about only through God’s work in bringing the Church together. The Church is a direct result of God’s mystery being revealed. Old Testament prophecies of salvation find their fulfillment in the Church. And God wants us to understand this truth, this insight into the mystery.
Lord, apart from Christ’s death on the cross, the only access to You would have been through the Law. Thank You for making the way of grace through faith.
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