This mystery is profound
The term "mystery" in biblical context often refers to a divine truth that was once hidden but is now revealed. In Ephesians, Paul frequently uses "mystery" to describe the unfolding plan of God, particularly the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community (Ephesians 3:6). The profound nature of this mystery highlights its significance and depth, suggesting that it is beyond human understanding without divine revelation. The concept of mystery also connects to the Old Testament, where God's plans were often concealed until the appointed time (Daniel 2:28-30).

but I am speaking about Christ and the church
Here, Paul clarifies that the profound mystery he refers to is the relationship between Christ and the church. This relationship is often depicted as a marriage, with Christ as the bridegroom and the church as His bride (Revelation 19:7-9). This imagery is rooted in the Old Testament, where Israel is frequently portrayed as the bride of Yahweh (Isaiah 54:5-6). The union of Christ and the church is a type of the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises, reflecting the intimate and sacrificial love Christ has for His people. This relationship is central to understanding the purpose and function of the church in the world, as it embodies the love, unity, and mission of Christ.

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor where the early church was established. It was known for its diverse culture and the Temple of Artemis.

3. Christ
Central to the Christian faith, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, whose relationship with the church is likened to that of a bridegroom and bride.

4. The Church
The collective body of believers in Jesus Christ, often referred to as the Bride of Christ in the New Testament.

5. Marriage
Used metaphorically in this passage to describe the intimate and covenantal relationship between Christ and the church.Understanding the Mystery
The term "mystery" (Greek: "mysterion") refers to a divine truth that was once hidden but is now revealed. In this context, it is the profound relationship between Christ and the church.

The Model of Marriage
Earthly marriage is a reflection of the heavenly relationship between Christ and the church. This calls for a commitment to love, sacrifice, and unity in marital relationships.

Christ's Sacrificial Love
Just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, believers are called to love selflessly and sacrificially in their relationships.

Unity and Oneness
The unity between Christ and the church serves as a model for unity within the body of believers and in marriage, emphasizing the importance of oneness in purpose and spirit.

Living Out the Gospel
The relationship between Christ and the church is a living testimony of the gospel. Believers are called to reflect this relationship in their daily lives, demonstrating love, grace, and truth.(32) This is a great mystery.--Rather, This mystery is a great one. The words apply to the type, as well as to the Antitype. (1) The indissoluble and paramount sacredness of marriage, as all history shows, is "a mystery"--that is (see Ephesians 1:9), a secret of God's law, fully revealed in Christ alone. For in heathen, and, to some extent, even in Jewish thought, marriage was a contract far less sacred than the indissoluble tie of blood; and wherever Christian principle is renounced or obscured, that ancient idea recurs in modern times. It may be noted that from the translation here of the word "mystery," by sacramentum in the Latin versions, the application of the word "sacrament" to marriage arose. (2) But the following words, "But I" (the word "I" being emphatic) "speak concerning Christ and the Church," show--what indeed the whole passage has already shown--that St. Paul's chief thought has passed from the type to the Antitype. He has constantly dwelt on points which suit only Christ's relation to the Church, and to that relation he has, by an irresistible gravitation of thought, been brought back again and again. (3) Yet the two cannot be separate. The type brings out some features of the Antitype which no other comparison makes clear; and history shows that the sacredness of the type in the Church has depended on this great passage--bearing, as it does, emphatic witness against the ascetic tendency to look on marriage as simply a concession to weakness, and as leading to a life necessarily lower than the celibate life.

Verse 32. - This mystery is a great one; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the Church. The matter referred to is the typical relation between the marriage of man and wife, and the union of Christ and the Church. It is called a mystery, and it is not said, as is said of another mystery, referred to before (Ephesians 3:5), that it has been completely explained. Some light has been thrown upon it, but that is all. It is implied that there is something of mystery in many of the relations between things natural and things spiritual, but that in the depth and grandeur of the subject, the mystery connected with the marriage relation is pre-eminent - it is "a great mystery" The analogy of the wind to the Holy Spirit; the springing up of plants to the resurrection; the melancholy sounds of nature to the prevalence of sin; and many other analogies, present vague shadows of truth, the clear, full forms of which we cannot see. When the day breaks and "the shadows flee away," such things will appear in a clearer light.

Parallel Commentaries ...


This
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

mystery
μυστήριον (mystērion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3466: From a derivative of muo; a secret or 'mystery'.

is
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

profound,
μέγα (mega)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

am speaking
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

about
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Christ
Χριστὸν (Christon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

church.
ἐκκλησίαν (ekklēsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 5:32 This mystery is great but I speak (Ephes. Eph. Ep)