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Ephesians 3:5

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Ephesians 3:5

Verse 5 of 21

Scripture focus

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;

Ephesians 3:5 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ephesians 3:5

Theological / Devotional

Other ages. Literally, “other generations.” Every generation has had its revelation, but never to the degree and form that the generations since the time of Christ have had. Revelation was, in a sense, progressive, calculated on the one hand to serve the best interests of each generation, limited on the other by the willful ignorance of the people, until the full flood of revelation appeared in the person of Jesus Christ.

Sons of men. Mankind in general, all men. The phrase translates a common Hebrew idiom.

Now revealed. The mystery can be known only as God reveals it. God is not trying to keep it secret. He desires to make it known. For this meaning of “mystery” see on Rom. 11:25.

Holy apostles and prophets. Compare on ch. 2:20. The use of “holy” in this connection is of interest. Critics have questioned Paul’s use of this word, with regard to apostles, of which he was one, but the believers are also called holy (Deut. 7:6; Mark 6:20; Col. 1:22; Heb. 3:1).

By the Spirit. See on 2 Peter 1:21.

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