Ephesians 1:9

Mystery. Gr. musterion (see on Rom. 11:25). The time was ripe for the unfolding of the mystery of God’s will. The world had long been in preparation for this hour, and the apostle Paul had been highly honored in being one of the bearers of a secret that had been “hid from ages and from generations” (Col. 1:26; cf. Eph. 3:3). The superabundance of God’s grace had been a mystery until proclaimed in the life and death of Christ, and its extent and application to the Gentiles was only now becoming known. It is this last that is largely the burden of Paul’s present writing.

Some have contended that Paul here drew three words — “mystery,” “knowledge,” and “wisdom” — from the pagan mystery religions. However, these words and concepts are not confined to these religions. Their Hebrew equivalents are found in the Dead Sea scrolls, reflecting Jewish concepts. He could well have been drawing on Judaic concepts and vocabulary, placing them, by means of his inspired mind, in that richer setting with reference to God that Christianity provides.

Good pleasure. See on v. 5. It was God’s gracious purpose to make this revelation.

He was not in the position of finding Himself in a dilemma when faced with the outbreak of sin, nor did He grudgingly set about the glorious, but agonizing, work of redemption. He needed no urging, nor was He influenced by circumstances apart from Himself. What God has done for man He was pleased to do. It is not an adequate or a reverent picture of the character of God to present Him as reluctantly yielding to the persuasions of man or of Christ before He is willing to forgive sin or to come to the aid of His stricken creatures.

Himself. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the reading “him,” probably meaning “Christ.”