Ephesians 3:1-5 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that BY REVELATION HE (Christ) MADE KNOWN UNTO ME (Paul) THE MYSTERY; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was NOT made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

The Apostle Paul undeniably had a unique calling and ministry. Consider that the term “the body of Christ,” which is “the church” today, is a term that is used only by the Apostle Paul. Paul is “THE Apostle (sent one) to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13), to “THE church, with is His body” (Eph 1:22b-23a). Paul then also uses the word “mystery” seventeen times in his thirteen epistles written to the members of the predominantly Gentile “THE body of Christ.” The “body of Christ” consists of both Gentiles and Jews on equal footing, no longer as Gentiles or Jews (Gal 3:28). The word “mystery” has a specific meaning as seen in Col 1:27 “… THE MYSTERY WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU the hope of glory.” “The mystery” also refers to the entire body of the unique new gospel truth that Paul received from the ascended Christ for the Gentile “body of Christ.”

Note that I’ve capitalized the word “THE” in the preceding paragraph. Grammatically, when we see the definitive article, “the” placed before the noun such as in “the Apostle” and/or “the mystery” it means this is a unique “Apostle” and a unique “mystery,” having something special about them. And so they are unique in these cases where Paul is “the (one) Apostle to the Gentiles,” given the unique message of “the mystery” and body of truth that is for “The body of Christ” today, under the terms of “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph 3:2).

The word “mystery,” as used by Paul, is translated from the Greek word “musterion,” meaning “a secret,” and by its context it carries with it the idea of “a secret that only God can reveal.” Who else but God could have a secret “since the world began” (see below) and then reveal it to anyone. The ascended Christ in fact did reveal this “new” truth to the Apostle Paul “for you Gentiles” (Eph 3:3).

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to MY (Paul’s) GOSPEL, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the REVELATION of THE MYSTERY, which was KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN” (Romans 16:25)

We are thankful that this “mystery” has now been revealed to the members of “the body of Christ” who now see and acknowledge the unique calling and gospel message that the ascended Jesus Christ gave to Paul. Paul “certifies” or guarantees us that his unique gospel came “by the revelation” he received directly from the ascended celestial Lord, and not from any man.

Galatians 1:11-12 But I (Paul) certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me (Paul) is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:3 that BY REVELATION THERE WAS MADE KNOWN TO ME (Paul) THE MYSTERY, as I wrote before in brief.

This unique gospel that Christ gave to the Apostle Paul had “BEEN HID FROM AGES AND GENERATIONS,” until it was first given to Paul for the Gentile body of Christ.

Colossians 1:26-27 Even THE MYSTERY WHICH HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, but now is made manifest to his saints (believers). 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Christ gave this heretofore hidden “mystery” gospel message to Paul… explicitly for the “Gentiles” (Eph 3:1-5), such as those at the Church at Colosse and the others to whom he wrote.