In biblical theology, "The Mystery" refers to divine truths that were once hidden but have been revealed through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The concept of mystery in the Bible is not about something that is incomprehensible or unsolvable, but rather something that was previously concealed and is now made known by God. This revelation is central to the New Testament and is particularly emphasized in the writings of the Apostle Paul.

Old Testament Background

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies and types that foreshadow the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. However, the full understanding of how these would be fulfilled was not made clear until the New Testament era. The prophets spoke of a future hope and salvation, but the specifics of how God would accomplish this were not fully disclosed. As the Apostle Peter notes, "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully" (1 Peter 1:10).

New Testament Revelation

The New Testament reveals the mystery that was hidden for ages. Paul frequently uses the term "mystery" to describe the gospel and the unfolding plan of God. In Ephesians 3:3-6, Paul writes, "that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I have already written briefly. By reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus."

The Mystery of Christ

Central to the mystery is the person and work of Jesus Christ. The incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the means by which God has accomplished salvation. Colossians 1:26-27 states, "the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

The Inclusion of the Gentiles

A significant aspect of the mystery is the inclusion of the Gentiles into the people of God. This was a radical revelation in the early church, as the promises of God were historically associated with Israel. However, through Christ, the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been broken down, creating one new humanity (Ephesians 2:14-16). This inclusion is a testament to the universal scope of the gospel and God's redemptive plan for all nations.

The Church as the Body of Christ

The mystery also encompasses the formation of the Church as the body of Christ. Believers, both Jew and Gentile, are united in one body, with Christ as the head. This unity is a profound mystery that reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:32). The Church is called to manifest the wisdom of God to the world, as Paul writes in Ephesians 3:10, "so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms."

The Mystery of Godliness

Another dimension of the mystery is the mystery of godliness, which refers to the transformative power of the gospel in the lives of believers. In 1 Timothy 3:16, Paul declares, "And by common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory."

The Mystery of the Kingdom

Jesus Himself spoke of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven in His parables. In Matthew 13:11, He tells His disciples, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." These mysteries pertain to the nature and growth of God's kingdom, which often defies human expectations and understanding.

Eschatological Mystery

Finally, the mystery also includes eschatological elements, such as the future resurrection and transformation of believers. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Paul writes, "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."

The concept of "The Mystery" in the Bible underscores the depth and richness of God's redemptive plan, which has been progressively revealed through history and culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ.