Bible Study: Ephesians 3:9
A Rightly Divided Study of the Fellowship of the Mystery and Salvation Through the Cross
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”
— Ephesians 3:9 (KJV)
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I. CONTEXT OF THE VERSE
Ephesians 3 is Paul’s Spirit-inspired explanation of the revelation of the mystery—a secret hidden from ages and generations but now made manifest through him (Col. 1:25–26). In this chapter, Paul outlines his divine commission: to make all men see what had been hid in God from the beginning of the world.
This verse is central to right division, highlighting that the doctrine Paul was given by revelation (Gal. 1:11–12) was not a continuation of prophecy, but something brand new.
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II. PHRASE-BY-PHRASE DOCTRINAL EXPLANATION
1. “And to make all men see”
Paul’s mission wasn’t only to preach salvation, but to make visible, understandable, and known a truth that was previously unseen. He wasn’t sent to just convert men, but to open the eyes of all Jew and Gentile alike to a new purpose and program God kept hidden until now.
• Acts 26:18 — “To open their eyes…”
• Colossians 1:25 — “…to fulfil the word of God”
This is a teaching ministry, not signs and wonders, not emotional appeals. It is about sound doctrine being revealed, taught, and believed.
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2. “What is the fellowship of the mystery”
This refers to a new fellowship—not Israel and her covenants, not the kingdom, not the law but a joint participation in the Body of Christ. This “fellowship” is:
• Jew and Gentile in one body (Eph. 2:16)
• Seated in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6)
• Accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6)
• Complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)
This is the mystery of Christ—not that Christ would die and rise again (that was prophesied), but that His death would form a new creature made of both Jew and Gentile with no distinction.
Colossians 1:26-27 — “The mystery… now made manifest… which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
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3. “Which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God”
This mystery was not foretold. It was not in types, shadows, or symbols. It was not found in the prophets or Psalms. It was hid in God not even revealed to angels (1 Cor. 2:7–8, Eph. 3:10).
Compare:
• Acts 3:21 — Peter speaks of what was “spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”
• Romans 16:25 — Paul preaches “Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”
These are not the same message. Paul is unveiling a previously unrevealed truth.
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4. “Who created all things by Jesus Christ”
Christ is not only the risen Savior He is also the Creator. This ties the authority of Paul’s mystery message directly to the eternal Son of God.
• John 1:3 — “All things were made by him”
• Colossians 1:16 — “By him were all things created… and for him”
The One who created all things is the One who revealed this mystery to Paul, giving it divine authority. This is no side doctrine—it is the center of God’s will for this present age.
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III. FORGIVENESS THROUGH THE CROSS HIDDEN IN THE MYSTERY
Many understand that Christ died and rose again. But few realize that while the event of the cross was prophesied, what that cross would accomplish for the Body of Christ was a mystery.
1. Christ’s Death and Resurrection Were Prophesied
• Isaiah 53 — He was wounded for our transgressions
• Psalm 22 — A detailed prophecy of the crucifixion
• Acts 2:23 — Crucified by God’s foreordained plan
• Luke 24:44–46 — Christ affirms it was all foretold in the law, prophets, and Psalms
So yes, His death and resurrection were foretold.
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2. But What That Cross Accomplished for the Body Was Not
What wasn’t foretold?
• Full and free forgiveness of sins without law
• Justification by faith alone
• Jew and Gentile in one new man, not Israel
• A heavenly calling, not earthly kingdom
• Salvation apart from covenants, circumcision, or water baptism
These were part of the mystery revealed to Paul, not part of Israel’s prophetic program.
1 Corinthians 2:7–8 — “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery… which none of the princes of this world knew…”
If Satan had known this truth, he would not have crucified Christ.
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3. Forgiveness Now Revealed as a Present Possession
• Ephesians 1:7 — “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…”
• Colossians 1:14 — “Even the forgiveness of sins”
• Romans 5:11 — “We have now received the atonement”
Israel’s forgiveness under prophecy was conditional and future (Acts 3:19; Jer. 31:34). But in the mystery, forgiveness is now and complete, based solely on faith in Christ’s finished work (Rom. 3:24–28).
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4. Salvation by Grace Through Faith A Mystery Doctrine
• Ephesians 2:8–9 — “By grace are ye saved… not of works”
• Galatians 2:16 — “Not by the works of the law”
• Romans 4:5–8 — God imputes righteousness apart from works
Peter at Pentecost preached repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Paul preaches believe and be sealed (Eph. 1:13). These are not the same gospel.
Paul’s gospel of grace was received by revelation (Gal. 1:11–12) and is for today.
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IV. RIGHT DIVISION INSIGHT
Ephesians 3:9 is the dividing line between prophecy and mystery.
• Prophecy = Known, Spoken, Earth, Israel, Kingdom
• Mystery = Hidden, Unspoken, Heaven, Body of Christ, Grace
If you do not rightly divide, you will confuse the kingdom gospel with the gospel of the grace of God, mix Israel with the Body, and blend law with grace.
This is why Paul says:
“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” 2 Timothy 2:7
“Rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
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V. CHURCH ERROR EXPOSED
Many religious systems reject the mystery or attempt to blend it with prophecy. They:
• Teach that the church began in Acts 2
• Apply Israel’s covenants and promises to the Body of Christ
• Teach baptism, confession, or endurance for salvation
• Claim Paul and Peter preached the same gospel
These are denials of Ephesians 3:9 and the mystery fellowship revealed to Paul.
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VI. CROSS-REFERENCES (KJV)
• Romans 3:24–25 — Justified freely by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus
• Colossians 1:26–27 — Mystery now made manifest: Christ in you
• Galatians 1:11–12 — Gospel received by revelation, not man
• Romans 16:25 — Preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 — Baptized by one Spirit into one body
• Ephesians 2:13–16 — Reconciled in one body by the cross
• Colossians 2:13–14 — Forgiven all trespasses, law blotted out
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VII. CONCLUSION
Ephesians 3:9 is not a general reminder to study the Bible. It is a bold commission to reveal a body of truth kept secret since the world began, revealed first to Paul. The cross of Christ, though prophesied, was later revealed to accomplish something never prophesied the creation of a new, spiritual Body, saved by grace, forgiven fully, and seated in heavenly places.
If you miss this verse, you’ll miss your calling, your gospel, your position, your identity, and your walk. It is our responsibility today to make all men see the fellowship of this mystery not hide it under tradition, religion, or Israel’s program.